Kato announces ATSF Super Chief reissue, new SD45 roads

[GaryHinshaw]

A classy scheme for sure.... but it has nothing on this one:
http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=107523

Grimy SD45s in scarlet and grey with roman lettering, pushing and pulling massive drags over Donner Pass, were my entree to big time mountain railroading as a kid.  Scenes like this:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=140260&nseq=14
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=58243&nseq=31
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=55729&nseq=36.

Oh the thunder! But since I've gone modern, I'll make room for a nice faded SD40M-2:

http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=22896,

and I'll shed a tear for my eastern brothers.

-gfh

P.S. MRL would be great too.

[Mark5]

Lovin' the Bloody Noses!

[CBQ Fan]

Rightly so!

Yes, but Kato is subject to criticism as is any other manufacturer (like perhaps Atlas?). How long before the next Kato CB&Q E8? I guess it won't sell and thats why they won't make em! Luckily CB&Q was part of the CZ, so there is hope for a CB&Q E8 with the correct DB setup some day! ;D

This is baloney. Kato left unimaginable money on the table when it parked it's F unit tooling. Also with the SD40-2 early version (11 years since the last run). But do we really need to re-hash the fact that USA is a distant secondary market to Kato? ;D

I have to paint nearly all of my locos, so my main interest is in UNDECORATED. Kato shells are a pain to strip.

Mark

I am not implying Kato is perfect, but with two close releases I would hope the sales are strong and that they look at some new road names!  That combined with the U30C I am hoping for a new commitment to some of the older models.  At least they don't rely on the compitition to build their product.....
As far as an E unit for the Q I would love to see more and I am a little baffled why they haven't released more with all the CZ releases. And non DB would really be nice!
I meant to say that they produce what "they" think will sell.  As in regardless to what we all will actually buy!  So I think we are actually in agreement there.

[SirTainly]

Of course they are, Bryan.  These roads make up 100% of their SD40, SD40-2 and SD45 sales over the last 20 years!  Who can argue with statistics like that!  And just think how much stronger those sales are because they're the ONLY roads they produce them in !!!  If you want another roadname, you HAVE to buy BNSF or UP because they don't offer undecs.  That makes for pretty strong sales!

"You can buy a Ford in any color you like, as long as it's black."

The rest of us are being crucified because they totally blew it on Algoma Central.

Lee

Absolutely 100% as long as you ignore:

CR SD40,  EL SD45, CP SD40 and -2 (wasn't there even an SD45 as an SD40-3?), AC SD40, Various GN,CN, CNW examples!

[wm3798]

I could be mistaken, but I believe all of those road names have been out of production for about 20 years, maybe.

[David Leonard]

The first run (1995) of SD45's came in these roads: ATSF, BN, Conrail, D&H, SP, UP, WC. 

The first run SD40's (1991) included: AT&SF, BN, CP, CS, C&NW, PRR, SP, UP.

The 1989 release of U30C's was offered in: ATSF, BN, Chessie, D&H, PRR, Rock Island, Seaboard, SP, UP.

[Scottl]

"The 1989 release of U30C's was offered in: ATSF, BN, Chessie, D&H, PRR, Rock Island, Seaboard, SP, UP."

Look at all those eastern roads.  It would be interesting to find out how well that release sold.  Maybe Kato found out that Chessie, D&H and Seaboard don't sell well?   :

[wm3798]

Yes, and in 1989, no one bought flat screen TVs, so why should they bother to make them now?

[Mr. G]

So I'm pleased that Kato has offered an SP model, but why do speed lettering over romans?  Ugh.  Oh well, I'm probably still in for a pair. 

[SirTainly]

So I'm pleased that Kato has offered an SP model, but why do speed lettering over romans?  Ugh.  Oh well, I'm probably still in for a pair. 

even if it had Roman lettering they'd probably give it SD45R numbers again anyway.

[Chulvis]

Grimy SD45s in scarlet and grey with roman lettering, pushing and pulling massive drags over Donner Pass, were my entree to big time mountain railroading as a kid.  Scenes like this:
Oh the thunder! But since I've gone modern, I'll make room for a nice faded SD40M-2:

http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=22896,

Speed Lettering.. Blasphemy!!!   ;D

[wm3798]

C'mon Chuck... Speedlettering is HAWT...
http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=67538

Lee

[Bob Bufkin]

C'mon Chuck... Speedlettering is HAWT...
http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=67538

Lee

I don't know why but I think one of the new upcoming GP60Ms would look great painted in that WM scheme.  Would be something the WM would have if it survived the kitty.

[sizemore]

C'mon Chuck... Speedlettering is HAWT...
http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=67538

Lee

A special run in Black and Dulux, and one in Circus.... That should be a Laurel Valley heritage run!

The S.