Question and/or comment about KATO

[ncbqguy]

None of the assumptions about what drives Kato USA production explain the situation.
It is somewhat like the blind men describing the animal as they feel different parts of an elephant.   Nobody truly understands what they are dealing with.   
I seriously doubt anyone living has the key to enlightenment.
It is what it is and no more.
Charlie Vlk

[peteski]

None of the assumptions about what drives Kato USA production explain the situation.
It is somewhat like the blind men describing the animal as they feel different parts of an elephant.   Nobody truly understands what they are dealing with.   
I seriously doubt anyone living has the key to enlightenment.
It is what it is and no more.
Charlie Vlk

. . . an what Mr. Kato wants.
The enlightenment (at least for me) is to just be happy that Kato makes any U.S. prototype equipment, because when they do, those are damn good quality models.  Not 100% flawless, but their track record seems to be better than any other manufacturer.

[Ike the BN Freak]

At times I wish Kato would do more BN sd40-2s...they only had 835...so not like it would be difficult to pick road numbers and paint variations

[Ngineer]

It explains why we continue to see odd choices by Kato, like the Hiawatha and its FP7 with winterization hatch, the GG1, E5A and SDP40F,

I actually begged Kato to make an SDP40F.   

And I bought them, too.

   Javier

[nightmare0331]

I actually begged Kato to make an SDP40F.   

And I bought them, too.

   Javier

Off of the top of my head...

The SDP40F's have actually sold really well.  Along with the E5, the GG1 in general, and the Milwaukee specific FP7.

The WSOR SD40-2's did pretty decent (granted, a bit slower than the UP and CNW units they were produced with). The Maersk SD40-2's sold out in no time (same goes for the Maersk SDP40F's).  The ATSF blue and yellow bonnets have sold stupidly well every time they've been run.  The goldbonnet PA1...meh.  Generally specialty paint schemes do pretty decent, however, I think the goldbonnet was such an obscure thing that either most people aren't aware of it's existence or honestly (like me) don't care.

Not every project is a winner, not every project is a loser.  Lots of gray area in between.

anywhoo...always, take everything with a grain of salt and as typical of trying to figure out Kato, don't drink too much...you'll poison yourself and still not have it figured out.

Stay safe!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[Mark5]

I actually begged Kato to make an SDP40F.   

And I bought them, too.

   Javier

I bought one too. I am still hoping that they will make the more common version (flat nose).

Mark

[ski]

I am a little surprised that Kato has not done or at least announced Amtrak SC-44s...it seems right in their wheelhouse.

[peteski]

anywhoo...always, take everything with a grain of salt and as typical of trying to figure out Kato, don't drink too much...you'll poison yourself and still not have it figured out.

Stay safe!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

And this  is coming from someone with an Irish-sounding name, and who has direct connection with Kato.  I agree with him that we should just enjoy whatever U.S. prototype models Kato conjures up, and not ponder too much as to their reasoning.  It is not good for our health. 

[DKS]

None of the assumptions about what drives Kato USA production explain the situation.
It is somewhat like the blind men describing the animal as they feel different parts of an elephant.   Nobody truly understands what they are dealing with.   
I seriously doubt anyone living has the key to enlightenment.
It is what it is and no more.
Charlie Vlk

This, this, a thousand times this. With virtually no exception, model railroad manufacturers (at least the bigger ones) operate in a--oh look, a chicken! Ahem, they tend to--oh, did I say ADD?