Cool news from Kato...

[TiVoPrince]

SP
will probably appear in subsequent runs with 356 original (SP+SSW) SD45, 167 SD45R rebuilds and 84 SD40M-2 rebuilds in many SD45 frame/carbody variations.  Its hard to ignore 600+ units, but if any company can ignore compelling numbers like these, its Kato...

[Guilford Guy]

So Kato listened to suggestions? Maybe SD40-2s (earlier versions, not the moernized versions) aren't too far behind...

I don't know how "awesome" it'd be to wake up to find my arm turned into half an F40PH...

More like 2/3. (maybe 3/4)

I beg to differ, while the carbody abruptly merges into the arm about 2/3 of the way up the forearm it really has only taken the place of 1/3 of the arm.

[Packer]

I beg to differ, while the carbody abruptly merges into the arm about 2/3 of the way up the forearm it really has only taken the place of 1/3 of the arm.

But it's 2/3 of the loco and 1/3rd of the arm. ("Humorous post rivet counter," part 2) ;D

SP
will probably appear in subsequent runs with 356 original (SP+SSW) SD45, 167 SD45R rebuilds and 84 SD40M-2 rebuilds in many SD45 frame/carbody variations.  Its hard to ignore 600+ units, but if any company can ignore compelling numbers like these, its Kato...

Explains BN SD40-2s in the the original scheme :'( (I've seen them go for over 120 on the bay, the newer ones won't even sell often)

[Puddington]

SD 45's in BSB... "yes, yes, yes"........(think of Willie Mays Hayes in Major League)

The "Hustle Muscle" unit is done to death but the standard GN EB scheme looks sharp; as witnessed by the original release.....



I'm pleased to see that my Athearn F45 will have BSB friends.... now; were it an SDP 45 I'd be over the moon.....

[H Lee]

Just received the following info, from a shop owner, that was contained in a dealer e-mail --

details here with drawings -
http://www.katousa.com/PDF/N-SD45-June10.pdf

and here -
http://www.katousa.com/PDF/N-F40PH-AmtrakStep-June10.pdf

[SD452XR]

No UNDEC SD45s  ???

My thought exactly. Looks like I am going to be stripping more shells.

[TiVoPrince]

now; were it an SDP 45 I'd be over the moon.....

Considering
the Grande as run through power on coal trains.  A SP SDP45 release would certainly put me in bankrupcy...

[wm3798]

"...and the same fat hoods and skinny number boards you've come to expect from Kato!, yes, in 16 years, we still can't get it right!"

"First time Kato has produced the SD45 since God was a boy"

Yes.  I'm angry and bitter.  One consolation might be that the new drive's FlexiCoil trucks might be compatible with the SD-40-2 drive...  How about that, Conrail Queens?...

Lee

[ljudice]

I doubt it - the SD40-2 trucks are totally different are they not?

However - I would not be surprised to see CR SD40-2's  - since it was specifically mentioned by a Kato rep as something they were looking at 5-6 years ago.

[wcfn100]

For those that don't know, GN #400 "Hustle Muscle" is alive and well.  It spent many years up in the Duluth museum and now resides in St Paul.





And with a fairly recent paint job.



Jason

[lock4244]

I doubt it - the SD40-2 trucks are totally different are they not?

However - I would not be surprised to see CR SD40-2's  - since it was specifically mentioned by a Kato rep as something they were looking at 5-6 years ago.

That'd mean the CRQ's only have to wait another 8-9 years before they are announced.

[oakcreekco]

I feel the pain too. Only two numbers in the DRGW :

Looks like a lot of renumbering in my future ;D

[James Costello]

The DRGW units will be some needed 94-95 era power for the SoCal haulers.

Weathering challenge: (including the former Rio Grande lettering showing through the heat damage/rust)

[Mark5]

One consolation might be that the new drive's FlexiCoil trucks might be compatible with the SD-40-2 drive... 

Odds are that Kato will simply use the DCC version of the SD40 drive (the 90s SD40/45 shared the same drive).

Mark

[tom mann]

The DRGW units will be some needed 94-95 era power for the SoCal haulers.

Weathering challenge: (including the former Rio Grande lettering showing through the heat damage/rust)

I'll take this challenge!!