Kato locomotive boxes and an Atlas dimensional match?

[ryan_wilkerson]

The familiar standard Kato locomotive box seems to be out of stock at the usual places (Plaza Japan, etc) for many months.
https://www.plazajapan.com/4949727059235/
Anyone know why?

Also, I noticed the box Atlas delivers the 53' single well car has the same shape box. Anyone purchase these boxes empty directly from Atlas? I checked their website and didn't find them.
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[dem34]

Rumors swirling that the Jewel cases used by everybody pretty much came from the same source. And said source is having supply issues/not producing.

[peteski]

Kato makes their own jewel boxes (or has them made specifically for them).  Atlas ones are clones. They look similar, but there are distinct (small) differences in the design.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Good info guys, thanks.
Hopefully they both go back into production.
Did Fox Valley Model's locomotive boxes also come from the same supplier and/or match the Kato dimensions?

[peteski]

Good info guys, thanks.
Hopefully they both go back into production.
Did Fox Valley Model's locomotive boxes also come from the same supplier and/or match the Kato dimensions?

Well, you came awfully close. My FVM Hiawata set boxes looked so close to Kato boxes that they had me fooled for a bit. But once I carefully examingin the specific parts of the design (like the "feet" on the bottom part of the box, the locations of the ejector pins, and the corner radii), there are slight differences.  I would say the FVM boxes are almost perfect clones of Kato boxes (but not the same).  You have to have very sharp eye to see the differences.