Kato N scale CNW 400 with all new Pullman Bi-levels just announced

[wcfn100]

There are several C&NW trains I would be much more exited about, but if they remove the number boards on the E8, I'll buy a set.


Jason

[MVW]

But still, somebody remind me....when was the last CNW train to Green Bay?  I remember taking one all the way there just before Amtrak took over, but maybe it was just to Milwaukee and the rest of the trip by bus (I did this a few times during my college days up there).

The last Flambeau 400 was early 1971.

Jim

[C855B]

Or perhaps a resin shell......coming soon......

Arrrrrrrgh!   

[OldEastRR]

So no more getting ridiculously outbid on the wheels of time cars?

So who's looking for WOT bi-levels?

[jagged ben]

well, the WOT cars are a different prototype,  so if that matters to someone they might still bid high.

I see. Would someone kindly educate me on the difference?  I have a bit of a soft spot for this stuff because of an early childhood experience. Wasn't aware there was more than one make of CNW bi-levels.

[mcjaco]

I see. Would someone kindly educate me on the difference?  I have a bit of a soft spot for this stuff because of an early childhood experience. Wasn't aware there was more than one make of CNW bi-levels.

The WOT cars are based on SP prototype cars, IIRC.  Close.  But no cigar.

[thomasjmdavis]

The WOT cars are based on SP prototype cars, IIRC.  Close.  But no cigar.

Interior of a "400" coach is different too.  The commuter cars have as many seats as they could fit, the long distance versions had fewer seats, more legroom.

This equipment, which arrived during 1958 from Pullman-Standard, was essentially upgraded commuter cars sporting such features as parlor service, reclining seat coaches, diners, lounges, etc.  When introduced the C&NW greatly advertised these new cars by stating, "Enjoy the greatest travel thrill yet!  The new Bi-Level '400's'!  You'll like the full roominess of the seats and the whisper-quite air cushioned ride.  Take your scenery from the high or low level as you glide along in your comfort-engineered coach or parlor car seat.  Enjoy freshly prepared meals in the spacious diner and refreshing beverages in the colorful new bi-level lounge.  In fact, treat yourself to an entirely new travel thrill - ride the Bi-Level '400's'.  More individual seat space per passenger.  Parlor cars with upper and lower 'See-Levels.' Two-level luxury lounge service.  Spacious, sparkling dining cars."

( https://www.american-rails.com/flambeau.html )

[nickelplate759]

The first batch of C&NW cars had 6 windows on each side of the doorway.

There's a history of the C&NW bi-level commuter cars posted here: http://www.kls2.com/~karl/rr/cnw/commuter-bilevels.html

It says this about the WOT cars: 
"... represents the 1956 Pullman-Standard "6 window" cars after repainting but before conversion from steam heat to HEP (and MU for push-pull operation). The kit is actually a highly-detailed model of SP's class 85-MLC-2, 21 cars built by ACF in March 1957 and numbered SP 3710-3730, but it is a good stand-in for the C&NW cars."

[gelboy45]

Fantastic surprise and I love the quote  "Today, Kato USA announces it's first newest "mini-named train" . Hmm

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Fantastic surprise and I love the quote  "Today, Kato USA announces it's first newest "mini-named train" . Hmm

It'd be cool to see them do some of the Amtrak corridor trains outside the NEC. But they'd need to make Horizon coaches, which, of course, they'll definitely do now that Rapido has announced theirs!

[Tom L]

Interesting realease. Will have to get one and maybe add a false roof diner from Skytop. Looks like by 1963, it was a mix of bilevels and standard cars.

/>
Tom L
Wellington CO

[thomasjmdavis]

Fantastic surprise and I love the quote  "Today, Kato USA announces it's first newest "mini-named train" . Hmm

Either a bad translation from Japanese, or what I think is more likely, the blurb writer wrote "first mini-named train" and then discovered that the CBQ Silver Streak of a few years ago was actually the "first" mini name train.  Did a quick edit to "newest" and missed deleting "first".  Proofing of copy is a lost art in the internet age.

[C855B]

Interesting realease. Will have to get one and maybe add a false roof diner from Skytop. Looks like by 1963, it was a mix of bilevels and standard cars.

/>

Nice bit o' film. When was this line abandoned? It seemed to be not in the best of shape even in '63, and you have to look pretty hard at satellite images to find evidence of the ROW.

[nickelplate759]

Kato now has a page up on their website: http://www.katousa.com/N/400/index.html
It looks like only the Parlor car is really a model of an intercity prototype.  The coach and cab are models of commuter cars. 

That explains this!   http://www.katousa.com/N/Bi-Level/index.html
Kato is doing the commuter cars in Metra paint.

Even so, this is great.  I just need to finish my Skytop false-roof diner by November!

[CBQ Fan]

I have been pushing off other prior CNW releases, Kato and otherwise, and now I know why.  This is a neat little set!  I will be getting one.