New Kato turntable .

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I have feeling that this turntable model from Kato is meant to depict a Japanese turntable. 

I can't see how you'd come to that conclusion. 

[peteski]

I can't see how you'd come to that conclusion. 

Purely a stab in the dark.  I imagine that Kato, being a purely American company, might want venture out and enter the booming Japanese N scale market.  A Japanese-looking turntable fits the bill. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Purely a stab in the dark.  I imagine that Kato, being a purely American company, might want venture out and enter the booming Japanese N scale market.  A Japanese-looking turntable fits the bill. 

I've heard that the Japenese have an interest in railroads, so this line extension makes sense.

I just hope they don't abandon the American market they've been laser focused on for it.  

[Denver Road Doug]

So what exactly makes this so "Japanese prototype".   Is this simply more slamming of Unitrack, or is there some specific feature that screams that it's a Japanese prototype?   Length? I "get it" about the tie spacing, and the weird spaces in the sides of the pit wall. (probably the most obvious pain point in my mind, but that's a model railroad product feature issue, not a prototype issue)

I guess I'm having a hard time understanding how it's such a stretch from the Santa Fe turntable I want to represent.  Yes, shorter, but that's certainly a concession many of us make in model railroading...you can only get one diesel on there regardless.  (EDIT: I suppose you can get two Geeps on a 120ft turntable, but I bet I can live without that.)



If it's just a Unitrack thing then nevermind...not interested in going down that path again.   Don't worry I burned my Railwire Stuckup a$$hat membership card a long time ago.  I won't embarrass TRW by representing as a member that uses Unitrack.

[peteski]

Doug, you have somehow missed the smileys and some blatantly false statement made in jest during the exchange between Ed and me.  It had nothing to do with Unitrack. Lighten up! 

[up1950s]

Well I like it .

Good addition to a MOW setting where plows and cranes and the imaginary Sperry could be turned to set up for the desired needs without getting the roundhouse foreman all torqued up .

If the inner well walls and pit were all blackened the square holes would be less noticeable .

As far as the Kato rails , many people use it , I swear , I have seen them right here , and with good results .

Web rails could be filleted to near rail head height with dirt or gravel for a more modern look .

Wood walkway could be added to the deck rails on all three areas .

No hand rails mean no bent or broken handrails .

Don't know if the electric feed bridge is something I could live with , but that could be modified or replaced .

I would recess it as with any turntable .

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/71929685

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/71819853

[S Class]

Three hundred dollary-doos! Go to buggery 

Now can we have some more unification in the available curves and maybe some new turnouts?

[Catt]

I like the turntable but the price will keep mine on the shelf at my LHS.

[Kisatchie]

I like the turntable but the price will keep mine on the shelf at my LHS.

I couldn't have said it better.


Hmm... can't do anything
better either...

[up1950s]

I couldn't have said it better.


Hmm... can't do anything
better either...

Well think of it as two things of equal price . The pit and table , and the alignment feature . Both are worth a buck and a half , and you don't have to get them hitched , they are past the marriage stage and just want to spend their life with you doing sexy things .

[Nick_Burman]

When I first saw this on the Japanese site I thought it looked crude and toy like ......... assumed it would be one of those models that would stay at home. It's movement is not smooth and I think you would be desperate for a turntable and have money to burn  to adopt one.

I was in Japan a couple of weeks ago and saw samples of the model, both at Hobby Center Kato and at other hobby shops. Quite to the contrary, the samples I saw in operation were very smooth. As for looks...well, what are airbrushes designed for?

Cheers NB