TheRailwire

General Discussion => N and Z Scales => Topic started by: ljudice on January 03, 2013, 03:19:37 PM

Title: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: ljudice on January 03, 2013, 03:19:37 PM
None of the NS Heritage SD70ACE's are red (I think??)    Possible SD90MAC - not sure what is red and yellow though??

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A_tWutACcAAFhUP.jpg:large)
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Wutter on January 03, 2013, 03:24:01 PM
If it is a SD90MAC, it might be SLRG

(http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/pictures/24082/SLRG115-120527%20Alamosa,%20CO.JPG)
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6006/5914651637_af16d9e8b8_o.jpg)

Edit: I think I can see the words "Rio" in the center under the word "Metra".
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: ljudice on January 03, 2013, 03:25:01 PM
Must be that, thanks,  pretty sure it is an SD90...  (see elevated walkway)
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: The Beer Baron on January 03, 2013, 03:29:45 PM
None of the NS Heritage SD70ACE's are red (I think??)    Possible SD90MAC - not sure what is red and yellow though??

Are you sure it's not the Leigh Valley ES44AC? (http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3098976)
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: ljudice on January 03, 2013, 03:30:37 PM
I thought that, but you can see the walkway is an SD90 - and also you can see the CIT logo on the nose...

- Lou

Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: ljudice on January 03, 2013, 03:33:09 PM
SLRG:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36187047@N05/5914651637/
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Wutter on January 03, 2013, 03:39:13 PM
On another note, I'm surprised that Kato went (almost) all out on the F40PH, with the correct marker light casings, Mars light between the numberboards and the MU receptacle on the front...but still the wrong plow :ashat:

(http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/1/3/4/4134.1219158953.jpg)
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Hyperion on January 03, 2013, 03:48:19 PM
I thought that, but you can see the walkway is an SD90 - and also you can see the CIT logo on the nose...

- Lou

Also very clearly see the "Rio" on the side as well.  Most definitely is the SD90 SLRG.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: peteski on January 03, 2013, 03:54:18 PM
I'm confused.  First, I'm not sure why Lou is asking a question about SD70ACE, yet, the photo he posted is of a Metra F40PH. 

Except for the mismatched color fo the horns, I'm impressed that Kato seems to have tooled up at least couple variations of the shell.  The Amtrak one has inset ditch lights and a single AC unit where the one Lou shows, also has low-mounted marker lights and dual AC units.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Bremner on January 03, 2013, 05:37:41 PM
I'm confused.  First, I'm not sure why Lou is asking a question about SD70ACE, yet, the photo he posted is of a Metra F40PH. 

Except for the mismatched color fo the horns, I'm impressed that Kato seems to have tooled up at least couple variations of the shell.  The Amtrak one has inset ditch lights and a single AC unit where the one Lou shows, also has low-mounted marker lights and dual AC units.
Peteski...look BELOW the F40PH....
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: ljudice on January 03, 2013, 05:41:50 PM
You're confused....   :D

I'm confused as to why Kato does an SLRG SD90MAC and ignores the 900 BNSF ES44DC's or 700 ES44C4's or the UP tapered cab SD70M's or ............

Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: sdodge on January 03, 2013, 06:07:44 PM
Or...more SD40-2's.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: sundowner on January 03, 2013, 06:12:55 PM
You're confused....   :D

I'm confused as to why Kato does an SLRG SD90MAC and ignores the 900 BNSF ES44DC's or 700 ES44C4's or the UP tapered cab SD70M's or ............

I think is cool  Kato is doing small roads on there 90mac instead of the usual UP and BNSF. I rather Kato do a FEC SD70m2 or CSX and UP SD40-2 than become the second manufature two produce the same BNSF gevos that FVM already sells. Those UP SD40-2 will become FEC SD40-2 in my hands :D.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: peteski on January 03, 2013, 06:22:38 PM
Peteski...look BELOW the F40PH....

I guess my brain somehow got distracted by what clearly seems to be the main subject of the photo (F40PH), than focusing on what that loco was sitting on (closed Kato boxes with an outline of some locos barely visible under the bubble inserts.)  :facepalm:
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Scottl on January 03, 2013, 07:03:59 PM
Quote
...FEC SD70m2...

+1, and slap some CN paint on them too.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: S Class on January 03, 2013, 07:30:50 PM
Rio Grande?

Kato still showing its western bias   :trollface:
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: sundowner on January 03, 2013, 07:51:46 PM
+1, and slap some CN paint on them too.

Cant forgot our Canadian friend, NS and CTI too. FEC has the CIT units so they would be most welcome.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Scottl on January 03, 2013, 08:01:27 PM
Agreed, so Kato's next locomotive will be a SD70M-2  8)
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: ljudice on January 03, 2013, 08:52:49 PM
I guess my brain somehow got distracted by what clearly seems to be the main subject of the photo (F40PH), than focusing on what that loco was sitting on (closed Kato boxes with an outline of some locos barely visible under the bubble inserts.)  :facepalm:

Peteski,  you must not get Kato's Twitter feed!  Because that's what they tweeted - "hey try and figure out what's in the box underneath the Metra loco"  !!   :D

Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: ljudice on January 03, 2013, 08:54:50 PM
Hey, obscure roadnames are great, but the bread and butter stuff (including correct units for CSX and NS) should come first.

Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: pedro on January 03, 2013, 09:10:56 PM
On another note, I'm surprised that Kato went (almost) all out on the F40PH, with the correct marker light casings, Mars light between the numberboards and the MU receptacle on the front...but still the wrong plow :ashat:

(http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/1/3/4/4134.1219158953.jpg)

Some of the rebuilt F40PH-3s do have that "traditional" style of plow. Obviously would have been more versatile with the Metra "plows", but if you wanted to model a modern unit to go with the modern cars they did....
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: GaryHinshaw on January 03, 2013, 09:26:51 PM
Off topic, but I like the window gaskets around the Metra windshields.  I hope that is a regular feature on locos going forward.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Smike on January 03, 2013, 10:06:33 PM
SLRG SD90, that's cool to see them do such a small road.

Here's hoping we don't have to wait too long for these: (Also hoping they don't have the missing small print details that has been issue with the Gevo's)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8077/8344732578_7f609b5f34_c.jpg)
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Ian MacMillan on January 04, 2013, 03:10:33 AM
Woot! Low marker F40PH's! Now if we could get high marker units with recessed ditch lights we'd be closer to some MBTA's!
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: chevelleguy on January 04, 2013, 07:35:05 AM
Sweet! Neat short line, I just bought an undec set to paint into this. Guess I will be selling those.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: daniel_leavitt2000 on January 04, 2013, 08:54:37 AM
Woot! Low marker F40PH's! Now if we could get high marker units with recessed ditch lights we'd be closer to some MBTA's!

The class lights were only present on F40PHs prior to the ditch lights being added. When the engines were modified with ditch lights, the class lights were removed. The class lights were required for operation on Conrail trackage. Of corse CSX took over right at the same time as the ditch light requirement.

MBTA #1000 is a perfect example:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3306555
Mid 80's with low marker lights and class lights.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2985293
Engine modified with ditch lights, high markers and no class lights in 1999.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: mcjaco on January 04, 2013, 11:51:40 AM
Some of the rebuilt F40PH-3s do have that "traditional" style of plow. Obviously would have been more versatile with the Metra "plows", but if you wanted to model a modern unit to go with the modern cars they did....

Nope they switched out the plows to the the more ATSF styled plows for the rebuild.  So Kato's plow's are incorrect. 

I am amazed that they did up the ante and do the proper marker light and ditch lights though.  I though for sure they'd just repaint the Amtrak version with the ditch lights.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: jagged ben on January 04, 2013, 12:42:57 PM
Nope they switched out the plows to the the more ATSF styled plows for the rebuild.  So Kato's plow's are incorrect. 

Is this true for all cases?
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?147921-Kato-Teases-New-Release&p=895978#post895978
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: delamaize on January 04, 2013, 06:15:06 PM
Rio Grande?

Kato still showing its western bias   :trollface:

Because the left coast is the best coast.  :trollface:
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: mcjaco on January 04, 2013, 11:35:09 PM
Is this true for all cases?
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?147921-Kato-Teases-New-Release&p=895978#post895978

As they've been shopped and upgraded to -3 specs, the more ATSF style plow has replaced the older one. There's still a handful of units that haven't been upgraded yet.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Ian MacMillan on January 05, 2013, 12:00:42 PM
The class lights were only present on F40PHs prior to the ditch lights being added. When the engines were modified with ditch lights, the class lights were removed. The class lights were required for operation on Conrail trackage. Of corse CSX took over right at the same time as the ditch light requirement.

MBTA #1000 is a perfect example:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3306555
Mid 80's with low marker lights and class lights.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2985293
Engine modified with ditch lights, high markers and no class lights in 1999.
Read it again. I'm not talking about lower markers on MBTA units, I stated high markers with recessed ditch.

And they were not low class lights on the MBTA units when they had low markers as they only denoted one color, red. A class light would be capable of showing at least two colors, such as red and white, but could show 3, ie red/white/green. The "high markers" could more properly be called class lights.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: sd75i on January 05, 2013, 01:37:08 PM
  I'm sure the requests for these must be in great quantity.  How about a KCS, SP AC4400CW?  SD75M, SD75I.  CN and ATSF are good sellers, aren't they?  Isn't there about 274 roadnames in the SD40-2 left?  I do welcome the heritage ACE's.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: central.vermont on January 05, 2013, 03:49:04 PM
You would also have to remove the dynamic brakes as well for an MBTA unit.

Jon
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Ed Kapuscinski on January 05, 2013, 04:14:44 PM
Great, an SLRG 90mac, finally, all those folks clamouring for one will be sated... Seriously, they do that but no Conrail SD40-2??? Or second run of RDCs???

Fscking mind boggling.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: ljudice on January 05, 2013, 04:23:57 PM
Great, an SLRG 90mac, finally, all those folks clamouring for one will be sated... Seriously, they do that but no Conrail SD40-2??? Or second run of RDCs???

Fscking mind boggling.

Remember Seinfeld and the alternate world "Bizzaro" characters???  Perhaps there is a Bizzaro Railwire out there where people clamor for SLRG SD90's etc...????


Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Ed Kapuscinski on January 05, 2013, 05:00:55 PM
That must be the explanation. I get some of how Kato operates, focusing on "big" things, instead of the mundane, but the shelves of unsold Algoma Central SD40s had to tell them this was a bad idea.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Ian MacMillan on January 05, 2013, 05:06:08 PM
You would also have to remove the dynamic brakes as well for an MBTA unit.

Jon


Right, which is why I said one step closer.

If Kato is willing to retool for METRA markers, maybe a retool for removal of dynamic brakes and recessed ditch lights isn't far behind.  :lol:
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: packers#1 on January 06, 2013, 12:53:27 AM
Ed, there are also still Conrail, NS and CSX SD80MACs and SD70MACS at MBK, and NS SD70M's and CSX SD70ACes. That could be what's scared them off of NS, CSX, and Conrail (although the SD70ACes would have to be sorta new)
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: EspeeGoldenState on January 06, 2013, 01:15:20 AM
  I'm sure the requests for these must be in great quantity.  How about a KCS, SP AC4400CW?  SD75M, SD75I.  CN and ATSF are good sellers, aren't they?  Isn't there about 274 roadnames in the SD40-2 left?  I do welcome the heritage ACE's.

Give me 3 of the SP AC4400CWs, and unnumbered one or even a patched UP version.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: peteski on January 06, 2013, 04:51:08 PM
Peteski,  you must not get Kato's Twitter feed!  Because that's what they tweeted - "hey try and figure out what's in the box underneath the Metra loco"  !!   :D

You're right - I'm not a Woofer, Tweeter, or a Facebooker.  I already waste too much time on this time-robber called "personal computer".  ;)
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: peteski on January 06, 2013, 04:56:03 PM
Read it again. I'm not talking about lower markers on MBTA units, I stated high markers with recessed ditch.

And they were not low class lights on the MBTA units when they had low markers as they only denoted one color, red. A class light would be capable of showing at least two colors, such as red and white, but could show 3, ie red/white/green. The "high markers" could more properly be called class lights.

Isn't the loco Daniel showed just like the one you want?
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2985293 (http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2985293)

Kato's new Amtrak shell has that arrangement.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Ian MacMillan on January 06, 2013, 05:08:40 PM
Isn't the loco Daniel showed just like the one you want?
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2985293 (http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2985293)

Kato's new Amtrak shell has that arrangement.

Yes the photo you posted is what we are looking for but Kato does not have the proper shell for this yet. The newest Amtrak shell has recessed ditchlights, and high markers, but it also has the center "emergency" red light, roof mounted AC unit and the DB housing grills which you would need to eliminate.

The new Metra shell is similar to the older pre shopped MBTA units that Dan pointed out, but you would need to again eliminate the DB grills, upper Mars light, ditchlights and AC units.

So basicly we need Kato to smash together all 3 versions of the F40PH shell that they have made.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: u18b on January 06, 2013, 05:27:06 PM
Guys, I admit it is possible this thing in the box is a SLRG SD90MAC.

But consider this....

There is no way the angle of the nose stripes on THIS...
(http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/pictures/24082/SLRG115-120527%20Alamosa,%20CO.JPG)



match THIS on the nose in the box...
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A_tWutACcAAFhUP.jpg:large)

In my humble opinion of course.


Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Ian MacMillan on January 06, 2013, 05:44:41 PM
I can clearly see the word "Rio" through the bubble wrap.

I just want to pop the bubble wrap... :tommann:
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: mu26aeh on January 06, 2013, 08:05:22 PM
I can clearly see the word "Rio" through the bubble wrap.

Plus you can read CIT just in front of the Metra coupler
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: peteski on January 06, 2013, 09:21:45 PM
Yes the photo you posted is what we are looking for but Kato does not have the proper shell for this yet. The newest Amtrak shell has recessed ditchlights, and high markers, but it also has the center "emergency" red light, roof mounted AC unit and the DB housing grills which you would need to eliminate.

The new Metra shell is similar to the older pre shopped MBTA units that Dan pointed out, but you would need to again eliminate the DB grills, upper Mars light, ditchlights and AC units.

So basicly we need Kato to smash together all 3 versions of the F40PH shell that they have made.

I see.  Judging by how long it took Kato to re-release the F40PH in the first place (and by how many additional shell variants they already added), I have a feeling that it will take a *VERY* long time for them to come out with the shell you're after. Few years ago I lobbied Kato to re-release the original F40PH with a different fuel tank/air tank arrangement but they said that this would be a too difficult of a modification.  :|
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: u18b on January 06, 2013, 09:24:39 PM
I guess without saying it....

either there is ANOTHER prototype photo with more straighter stripes....

or the Kato model may possibly have the wrong angle.....

or I am totally mistaken--- which is possible since you can't see much through that bubble wrap.

But from the little that I can see, the angles don't look the same.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: GaryHinshaw on January 07, 2013, 05:04:30 PM
http://www.katousa.com/N/SD90MAC/index.html (http://www.katousa.com/N/SD90MAC/index.html)
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: bbussey on January 07, 2013, 05:04:46 PM
It's official.

(http://www.katousa.com/N/SD90MAC/main.jpg)
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: ljudice on January 07, 2013, 05:09:07 PM
I guess without saying it....

either there is ANOTHER prototype photo with more straighter stripes....

or the Kato model may possibly have the wrong angle.....

or I am totally mistaken--- which is possible since you can't see much through that bubble wrap.

But from the little that I can see, the angles don't look the same.

Ron,

The frame stripes on the SD90/80's are not straight on the prototypes...

- Lou
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: wcfn100 on January 07, 2013, 08:37:25 PM
This new Kato pre-order system is working out nice.  $500 saved so far.  :P

It's a shame Kato has lost their willingness to color match the engineering plastics.  I would have gone for for both units as we make Alamosa one of our usual stops traveling to and from AZ.  I wonder if they'll follow up with a retooled F40PH with a front porch.. and then not match those handrails.   :facepalm:

Jason

Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Scottl on January 07, 2013, 08:47:06 PM
The handrails can be touched up easily.

I've never looked at this model closely before.  The tooling detail is very nice.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Ian MacMillan on January 07, 2013, 08:55:51 PM
I see.  Judging by how long it took Kato to re-release the F40PH in the first place (and by how many additional shell variants they already added), I have a feeling that it will take a *VERY* long time for them to come out with the shell you're after. Few years ago I lobbied Kato to re-release the original F40PH with a different fuel tank/air tank arrangement but they said that this would be a too difficult of a modification.  :|

Ya never know, the aside from their "normal" F40PH shell which took them a while to come out with they came out with the other 2 versions within about a year, so outlook on an additional shell version within a short time is pretty good.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: peteski on January 07, 2013, 09:12:52 PM
Ya never know, the aside from their "normal" F40PH shell which took them a while to come out with they came out with the other 2 versions within about a year, so outlook on an additional shell version within a short time is pretty good.

...assuming that this batch will not rot in their warehouse for years to come (like RDCs did).   Unless they made the latest batch small enough not to saturate the market.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: wcfn100 on January 07, 2013, 09:19:20 PM
The handrails can be touched up easily.

Let's see it.

Jason
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Ian MacMillan on January 07, 2013, 09:25:09 PM
...assuming that this batch will not rot in their warehouse for years to come (like RDCs did).   Unless they made the latest batch small enough not to saturate the market.

Or not do RDCs in the road that had the largest roster of them!
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: GaryHinshaw on January 07, 2013, 09:27:51 PM
One of these UP units just showed up in cement service on Tehachapi this weekend (http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=420293&nseq=19), so one of these units for me.   I'll have to renumber it and beat it up a bit - they're looking pretty ragged these days.  It also looks like they're backing away from the 'We will deliver' promise.    ;)
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Scottl on January 07, 2013, 09:50:18 PM
Quote
Let's see it.

Take the shell apart and paint the rails with a fine brush.  The paint can't be that hard to match.  Sheesh.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: packers#1 on January 07, 2013, 09:53:24 PM
One of these UP units just showed up in cement service on Tehachapi this weekend (http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=420293&nseq=19), so one of these units for me.   I'll have to renumber it and beat it up a bit - they're looking pretty ragged these days.  It also looks like they're backing away from the 'We will deliver' promise.    ;)
If you do, that's gonna be sick on your Tehachapi layout
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: wcfn100 on January 07, 2013, 10:13:00 PM
Take the shell apart and paint the rails with a fine brush.  The paint can't be that hard to match.  Sheesh.

Well you sure do make it sound easy.  Let's see it.


Jason
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: Scottl on January 07, 2013, 10:15:24 PM
 :facepalm:  I'm going over the another thread.  I have nothing nice to say.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: peteski on January 07, 2013, 10:38:24 PM
Or not do RDCs in the road that had the largest roster of them!

Tell me about it!   :facepalm:

(http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/data/peteski/20107234233_BM_RDC_02.jpg)
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: tom mann on January 07, 2013, 10:51:47 PM
Jason:  please cut it out.

Others:  continue talking about original subject.
Title: Re: What is Kato showing in the box?
Post by: wcfn100 on January 07, 2013, 11:18:44 PM
Jason:  please cut it out.

I can do you one better than that.

Keep up the good modeling everyone.

Jason