Why Kato needs to do the Empire Builder and North Coast Limited...

[Point353]

Someone who is rather well known in the field  of N scale product once stated that the Penn was a "third tier" road, while the NYC was a "first tier" road.

Yet, the NYC historical society seems to believe that the situation is just the opposite.
While BLI, for example, has already produced several PRR steam freight locos, the NYC historical society claims they can't find a (non-brass) model company interested in manufacturing an NYC steam freight loco - and that's in HO scale, no less.

[greenwizard88]

Yet, the NYC historical society seems to believe that the situation is just the opposite.
While BLI, for example, has already produced several PRR steam freight locos, the NYC historical society claims they can't find a (non-brass) model company interested in manufacturing an NYC steam freight loco - and that's in HO scale, no less.

That doesn't surprise me. The HO market, especially freight, is self re-enforcing. Nobody produces NYC, so nobody models it. The people who just "want" a NYC steam engine have a Bachmann model, and the people who would pay for a high end engine already switched to modeling a different road.

Meanwhile, I own a Broadway Limited, but would probably buy an NCL, just because it's purdy. At $1500 for the same train in HO scale, there's a lot less off-road purchases.

[wishj]

And an E7.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Slide-CB-Q-Burlington-9985B-Passenger-Action-at-Dubuque-IL-May-1966/392072506427?hash=item5b4957ac3b:g:YzsAAOSwUxhbMncd

Jason

[wishj]

Hit post button too early Kato should do an add on set for empire builder which includes a couple of great domes John

[brokemoto]

All US prototype trains will be delayed while Kato does the Hello Kitty train. 

[Vince Gortner]

A red stripe non-DB E8/9 would be nice too.   As long as we are on the topic.

[thomasjmdavis]

That doesn't surprise me. The HO market, especially freight, is self re-enforcing. Nobody produces NYC, so nobody models it. The people who just "want" a NYC steam engine have a Bachmann model, and the people who would pay for a high end engine already switched to modeling a different road.

Meanwhile, I own a Broadway Limited, but would probably buy an NCL, just because it's purdy. At $1500 for the same train in HO scale, there's a lot less off-road purchases.

Just for the record, my opinion is that before anything else, Kato should produce and ATSF Big Dome.  Better yet, 2 big domes- as there were 2 variations.
That said...

I think that those who want NCL or Empire Builder have a couple other things going for them.

1) N scale has a lot of "name train" collectors- and in Europe and Japan in addition to the US.  Kato has a base for almost any name train they bring out (and they also market a large number of Japanese name trains- more than US roads, in fact). This dates from Con Cor's 1970s (and later) releases of foobie "name trains" sets.  Kato has dominated this market since its release of the Super Chief- which simultaneously established Kato as the leader in the market, and raised our expectations- we now expect accurate consists and models of the specific prototype.  So an accurate model of any major train has a base of support- one driver in a collectors market is to have a "complete" collection.

2) Out there somewhere is a very dedicated group of NP and GN passenger car modelers- and we know this because Brass Car Sides has been marketing those cars for decades- someone wanted them enough to have them made in the first place, and enough folks must have built the cars over the years to keep them in the company's inventory.

Now, closer to home- is there a dedicated group of modelers who want a "New Dixieland"? (the 1954 re-make of the CEI, LN, NCStL, ACL, FEC "Dixie Flagler"- an excuse for 5 locomotive releases) or Georgian (CEI, LN, NCStL)?

And where is my Rocket with TA?  Not that I need one, but like the man said, it sure is purdy.

[CBQ Fan]

If it makes you feel any better, I'm a NYC fan but I still bought one each of all the CZ sets.

I have two of the CZ sets.  But I do dig the teamwork!

[GhengisKong]

I still think it would be great if Kato brought out several roads and variants of E7s and FP7s at once.

[NorsemanJack]

Kato has dominated this market since its release of the Super Chief- which simultaneously established Kato as the leader in the market, and raised our expectations- we now expect accurate consists and models of the specific prototype.

I believe that the CZ was the first real Kato name train.  It was released in 2004.  The first Kato Super Chief was released in 2005.  Both fantastic models, worthy of inclusion in any passenger fans inventory.

[Jbub]

I believe that the CZ was the first real Kato name train.  It was released in 2004.  The first Kato Super Chief was released in 2005.  Both fantastic models, worthy of inclusion in any passenger fans inventory.

I love my CZ with the BLI PA engines in golden aspen livery. I've always wanted an ATSF super chief / el Capitan  combined train with an ABBBA set of F's on the front. It looks like I'll get my wish soon enough. As far as other passenger sets go, I still need to get the Olympia hiawatha, wish I had a Broadway (and put BLI T1 in front ) would rather have the Hudson version of the tcl but would still like the E7 version and the other train's mentioned would be on my radar as well.

[Bill H]

Someone who is rather well known in the field  of N scale product once stated that the Penn was a "third tier" road, while the NYC was a "first tier" road.  Perhaps the poor Broadway Limited sales prove that.

B&O is a "borderline first/second tier road".  I would hope for a Capitol Limited.  I like the E-7s but have little use for them in NYC, as they did not often appear on the P&LE.  If Kato were to do E-7s in B&O, THAT might be something different.  I sold my LLs because they were dual headlight.

I am also hoping for a Capital Limited in that gorgeous blue gray scheme. Would love a KATO E-7 in blue and gray...

Best,
Bill

[reinhardtjh]

I still think it would be great if Kato brought out several roads and variants of E7s and FP7s at once.

It would be a miracle.

[Point353]

I love my CZ with the BLI PA engines in golden aspen livery.

I'm still waiting for Kato to make the PAs in the black and gold/yellow paint scheme:
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/rail/donald_beneke/diesel/ddrgw03.html

Likewise for the F3s:
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/rail/donald_beneke/diesel/ddrgw21.html

[thomasjmdavis]

I believe that the CZ was the first real Kato name train.  It was released in 2004.  The first Kato Super Chief was released in 2005.  Both fantastic models, worthy of inclusion in any passenger fans inventory.

That's what I get for not looking it up.  But as you say, both are fantastic models.