What is Kato showing in the box?

[peteski]

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. 

[u18b]

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.

[GaryHinshaw]

http://www.katousa.com/N/SD90MAC/index.html

[bbussey]

It's official.

[ljudice]

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

[wcfn100]

This new Kato pre-order system is working out nice.  $500 saved so far. 

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.   

Jason

[Scottl]

The handrails can be touched up easily.

I've never looked at this model closely before.  The tooling detail is very nice.

[Ian MacMillan]

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.

[peteski]

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.

[wcfn100]

The handrails can be touched up easily.

Let's see it.

Jason

[Ian MacMillan]

...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!

[GaryHinshaw]

One of these UP units just showed up in cement service on Tehachapi this weekend, 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.   

[Scottl]

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.

[packers#1]

One of these UP units just showed up in cement service on Tehachapi this weekend, 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

[wcfn100]

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