By now, many precise HO Scale F-Units have been produced in countless configurations and an assortment of paint schemes. Produced to a high standard in ready-to-run condition by Athearn as part of Athearn’s Genesis product line, our model kits use the very same Highliners F Unit tooling as Athearn’s Gensis products for our shells.
Although Athearn’s pre-painted models are extremely well executed, mass-production techniques using polyester based paints and “tampo” printing could never compare to an exquisitely executed, custom airbrushed, and decaled model. The reason is simple: the passion of our avid hobbyist builders who engaging in the artistry of hand-making our model kits coupled with the degree of precision of the extremely finely engraved details found on our shells and model kit components are finer than what can be found on other HO Scale models, and even exceed the precision of the majority of commercial N Scale models. Resultantly, the exactitude of detail on our kits could be unfortunately obscured by commercial factory-applied paint.
While one option, it’s undeniable that Athearn’s Genesis product line could never replicate all varieties of the sheer multitude of configurations and details found on specific prototype F Unit diesel locomotives. And yet, our avid hobbyist builders could theoretically achieve this feat using Highliners kits and components while applying their productivity.
As one of these esteemed artisans, consider mixing the type of “between the porthole” carbody filters as the AT&SF applied to some of AT&SF’s Warbonnet paint schemes. Or consider switching the forward louver and porthole locations as on a few of the Clinchfield F Units. Purchasing and building a Highliners kit guarantees a true “stable-maté appearance” more loyal to the full-size locomotives than the ready-to-run Athearn Genesis models that our builders may already own.
Another reason for purchasing, hand-assembling, and painting a Highliners model kit is the chance of being a titleholding contest champion of fine artistry. The thinness of a custom airbrushed paint finish can never be replaced by factory mass production. An airbrush-applied paint finish makes our “true-to-HO scale” screw, louver, batten, and other ultra-fine detail “pop” from the surfaces of the carbody’s sides, ends, and roof.
We’re of the opinion that the ingenuity involved and industry applied, even if it’s only on a solo A unit, is a worthwhile pursuit. You’ll have the enjoyment of creating with your own hands a true one-of-a-kind diesel-electric locomotive. A model to your exact personalized specifications and your custom-tailored selections, while retaining the exactitude inherent to the crisp details and perfectly replicated contours of a Highliners F Unit painstakingly taken from the original source. Your locomotive will be unobscured by the drawbacks of the methods of factory mass-production.
Each prototype diesel electric locomotive, manufactured at any given moment was unique. If someone looks closely, each prototype locomotive differed from its seemingly identical stable mates. An individual with a working knowledge of the prototype and the correct reference materials could even identify the era of a given locomotive’s use. This allows for yet another enjoyable aspect Highliners F Units: a fineness achievable of the recognition of the prototype locomotives and the correct time periods of their use. This panoply of details and varieties can be replicated only through the Highliners F Unit series model kits.
We fully believe that by assembling and painting our products, you’ll find more satisfaction than simply settling for what’s commercially available: a standard-issue production model identical to those owned by many other purchasers.
