New Kato Poll

[peteski]

I voted for the DD40ax because Bachmann's is rubbish, but I wouldn't mind the BigBoy from Kato.

I gave my reasons why Kato Big Boy makes no sense. I'm curious as to what do you think that Kato Big Boy would have that Athearn doesn't already have?

[GhengisKong]

I gave my reasons why Kato Big Boy makes no sense. I'm curious as to what do you think that Kato Big Boy would have that Athearn doesn't already have?

I had an Athearn BigBoy from the very first run and suffered the decoder issue, but it ran great on DC. I sold it before I got the chance to ever tinker with it because college student. Really, I'm in the same fanboy boat as you for Kato, so no real advantage other than perhaps a lower price from a DC only offering of the BigBoy.

[tom mann]

Spoiler alert: they’re making the Big Boy.

[peteski]

Spoiler alert: they’re making the Big Boy.

Oh well, then I will likely not be picking one up since I have a brass, Rivarossi, and Athearn ones already.

Why then did they include it in the poll? 

[CBQ Fan]

I would buy one of each model if they made them all except that rail grinder thing.

[MetroRedLine]

Plus a Union Pacific prototype is a shoe-in for Kato. 

Also, given the very high media attention for this year's Golden Spike Sesquicentennial and the 4014's eventual resurrection.

[Doug W]

They're all niche prototypes with limited appeal - and none for me so I won't bother voting. I don't understand manufacturers' obsession with one-railroad prototypes, particularly ones that had a limited operating territory.

It's a real pity that Kato didn't ask our preference on a new production in an out-of stock model as they did in the HO survey.

Doug

 

[w neal]

Little Joe. No doubt about it for me. Passenger and freight versions would be great to see and should mean minimal tooling between both versions. It'd be nice to see the 70s paint too. It would really help sales of the Olympian as well. I think a lot of N scalers would buy them simply on the prettiness factor. How many Daylight or Freedom Train 4449s, CNW or IC passenger sets, or UP heritage 70ACes do you see for sale at shows, or shops? Some for sure, but not large quantities.

[Colorado_Bob]

I voted for the DD40AX.  I model UP, so actually have the Centennial in brass and from Bachmann.  The brass is an ok runner and looks sharp.  The B'mann looks ok and runs fine.  I'd like both sharp and excellent runner, and I think Kato would deliver that.

The BigBoy from Athearn is fine and I have several including the 4014, so I can't see getting Kato's, but I suppose I would if that's what they make.  Got to have them all I guess. 

I probably wouldn't buy the Milwaukee units.  They don't fit my themes.

The grinder as some have pointed out is really kind of specialized and I would expect it to be a pretty pricey piece of MOW equipment sitting idle on the layout, on a shelf, or in its box.  I'm sure others would put it to good use and love having it, particularly at a train show.

[w neal]

Besides,

Do you really want DD40s in "Kato" yellow?

[tehachapifan]

I voted for the DD40. If it comes to fruition, here's to hoping the center walk-thru will be open.

[sundowner]

Its kind of a loaded poll because most of those who would buy 4014 would also buy 6936 and run them together like UP probably will in the near future.

I already have a rare DCC only Athearn 4014  and I like it, but a Kato one if its anything like the FEF I would get.

I can see the DD40 being like the HO P42, each trucks with there own motor so they could have the walk-thru like Tehachapifan mention.

[GhengisKong]

Besides,

Do you really want DD40s in "Kato" yellow?

I'll just repaint it. The tooling is all that matters to me.

[Point353]

Spoiler alert: they’re making the Big Boy.

Kato has already made a Denny's, so making a Big Boy next seems logical.

[nickelplate759]

Kato should take a page out of the Con-Cor playbook and make some of these models in non-prototypical roadnames.
Just imagine a Conrail DDA40X. Big Blue, indeed. 

Or DDA40x in phase I Amtrak - to go with Con-Cor's U50 in the same scheme