KATO UP FEF official announcement

[robert3985]

...The tenders are too new also but just too cool to pass up on.

+1

[peteski]

I've been closely perusing the 3D drawings that are now available on the KatoUSA site.

(F) Running lights and number boards also look quite good, especially since the number boards are going to be lit!!

From what I see in the drawings, the only illuminated number boards will be on the sides of the headlights. I don't see how the large number boards would be illuminated (they do not show any clear or white colored inserts).

[robert3985]

From what I see in the drawings, the only illuminated number boards will be on the sides of the headlights. I don't see how the large number boards would be illuminated (they do not show any clear or white colored inserts).

Peteski,

You could be correct. I assumed with the spec's said "illuminated numberboards" they were talking about the all the numberoards, not just one set of numberboards.

[up1950s]

Peteski,

You could be correct. I assumed with the spec's said "illuminated numberboards" they were talking about the all the numberoards, not just one set of numberboards.

Maybe they mean the number boards are illuminated when the room lite is turned on .

Maybe the number boards are entirely made of clear plastic , and the black paint on them also is the numbers edge .

[Norway2112]

Maybe the number boards are entirely made of clear plastic , and the black paint on them also is the numbers edge .

This is what I'm putting my bets on.  It'd be pretty easy to do that way.

[peteski]

This is what I'm putting my bets on.  It'd be pretty easy to do that way.

Highly doubtful, but I love to be proven wrong.   BTW, that is how Atlas 4-4-0 headlight is constructed (and it doesn't work very well).   If the number boards were made from clear plastic, that would have most likely been shown as clear (or different than black) on the "unpainted" CAD rendition.  But those are black on the rendering.

[robert3985]

Highly doubtful, but I love to be proven wrong.   BTW, that is how Atlas 4-4-0 headlight is constructed (and it doesn't work very well).   If the number boards were made from clear plastic, that would have most likely been shown as clear (or different than black) on the "unpainted" CAD rendition.  But those are black on the rendering.

I guess we'll find out soon enough!

[robert3985]

Here are a couple of photos that have showed up today.  I Photoshopped and enlarged them so details could more readily be seen. Take a look:





My comments:  (1) PLEASE put the whistle on facing the right way (2) SHINY PAINT!  YAY!  Hope they don't apply a dulling coat over this (3) Lots of really nice separate piping details! (4) Handrails over the cab windows are very prominent on the prototype...very not-prominent on this model (5) Closed cab windows.  Have you ever seen the windows closed while running on the prototype???  NO (6) Flanges are very nice low-pros  (7) Contour on leading truck wheels is very nice ( 8 ) "number boards" only on sides of headlight appear to be lit...I think Peteski was correct (9) Closed cab hatch.  It's always open while running on the prototype (10) Tender articulation is not visible...GREAT!! (11) Smoke lifter brackets are noticeably way thick (12) Headlight lens should be much lighter, not that funky yellowish color, but I understand what Kato is trying to do...I hope it looks better when the light is on.

Other comments:  Kato is capturing the massive look of this very large Northern very well.  Not a lot of "empty space" between the firebox and trailing truck which really adds to this model's appearance.  Separate detailing on trailing trucks and tender trucks/pedestal...looks GREAT!  I can't see the top of the oil bunker on the tender so I am still in the dark as to the era.  Looks as if they're fiddling with making the driver wheels black or with whitewalls (look at rear two drivers).  I vote for black, but excursion-wise, the 8444/844 was painted that way for a lot of years.

Although this engine, equipped with the Worthington SA Feedwater Heater wouldn't be correct in TTG for its 1946-1954 time period, it certainly WOULD be correct for excursion service up until 1999.  A shiny two-tone-gray 8444 or 844 would sure look nice!

[Leggy]

The want is strong.

[peteski]

(12) Headlight lens should be much lighter, not that funky yellowish color, but I understand what Kato is trying to do...I hope it looks better when the light is on.

Interesting observations Robert.  But as far as the headlights go, why o why can't manufacturers of high-quality modesl (like Kah-toe) simply use warm white LEDs with clear light conduits?!?  Those LEDs are getting easier and easier to purchase (especially in the quantities they use) and that way there is no need to tint the light conduits to "warm up" the light.  Come on, it is year 2014: 2700K and 3000K white LEDs are out there.

[robert3985]

Interesting observations Robert.  But as far as the headlights go, why o why can't manufacturers of high-quality modesl (like Kah-toe) simply use warm white LEDs with clear light conduits?!?  Those LEDs are getting easier and easier to purchase (especially in the quantities they use) and that way there is no need to tint the light conduits to "warm up" the light.  Come on, it is year 2014: 2700K and 3000K white LEDs are out there.

+1

[up1950s]

Don't understand why Kato released those shots instead of some closer , crisper , nitpicker dream shots . Yeah , that headlight yellow is yellin' at me too , and I'm seeing some thick tender railing , otherwise very nice .

[peteski]

To add to my orange-tinted light conduits rant, Kato has used warm white LEDs in the past. For example light board # 928053 for AC4400CW, C44-9W, ES44AC, SD70M (Original), SD70MAC, and board # 928055 for F40PH (Non Metra Version) both use golden white LEDs.

So Kato is well aware of the availability of such LEDs and yet, they make another step backwards by using cool white LEDs with amber-tinted light conduit.   Didn't they remember the debacle with similar setup on SD70ACe and U23C/U30C where they actually ended up molding and selling replacement light conduits using clear plastic (so the warm white LEDs installed on a 3rd party DCC decoders would have a proper tint (not amber)?  Hopefully, they will re-think this decision in the production model. 

[robert3985]

Mo' pics....



Lookin' like the oil bunker is either transition era or pre-1999...which is good for me and all the model railroaders with U.P. 1950's layouts. 



Shiny paint...mmmmmm...   

[Leggy]

The power car looks good, hopefully Kato sells the shells as parts as I'd like to get a couple (same with the tender).