Kato PRR rerun

[Missaberoad]

Kato pantos on U.S. models have always been cosmetic items.

They have produced several European prototype models of electric trains (for Lemke) which used typical metal functioning pantographs typically used on European models, but not any U.S. prototype models.  But I don't think those can actually be used to pick up power (but they will follow the wire). At least on some of those models I own - I would have to dig them out to verify.

Well since Kato only has one US electric... 
Edit; forgot about the modern amtrak thing 

I remember them being small B-B electrics and was told by the owner that there was an internal switch, (or modification to the wiring) that allowed a change between cat vs 2 rail pickup... They were definitely European, I'll have to dig and see if I can find anything... It would have been late 80s early 90s...

[peteski]

Well since Kato only has one US electric... 
Edit; forgot about the modern amtrak thing 

I remember them being small B-B electrics and was told by the owner that there was an internal switch, (or modification to the wiring) that allowed a change between cat vs 2 rail pickup... They were definitely European, I'll have to dig and see if I can find anything... It would have been late 80s early 90s...

Yes, I own couple of Kato models of European electric locos with functioning metal pantographs, but IIRC, neither can be switched to pantograph power.  But what you describe is pretty much standard feature for electric locos from other European manufacturers (Minitrix, Fleischmann, Arnold). Those locos usually have either a slide switch under the loco, or a slotted-head screw on the roof which is used to select whether the model will pick up power from the track or from the overhead wire.  I have about a dozen of such locos.   

[Missaberoad]

Yes, I own couple of Kato models of European electric locos with functioning metal pantographs, but IIRC, neither can be switched to pantograph power.  But what you describe is pretty much standard feature for electric locos from other European manufacturers (Minitrix, Fleischmann, Arnold). Those locos usually have either a slide switch under the loco, or a slotted-head screw on the roof which is used to select whether the model will pick up power from the track or from the overhead wire.  I have about a dozen of such locos.   

The more I tried to look it up the more I think you are right and what he had was an Arnold or other European manufacturers model...
Keep in mind it was a hazy memory back from 13 year old me hahaha...

[towl1996]

Alex from Kato even mentioned it was a poor seller for Kato.  However he mentioned the timing of it may have had something to do with it, as it was 2008.

and yet they're still doing another run...maybe it was a slow seller. If they had product still sitting on the shelf, they wouldn't be doing another run.

The genesis of my original comment was based upon the statement made by a certain manufacture and various insiders that the PRR was a fourth tier road and didn't sell well.

[peteski]

and yet they're still doing another run...maybe it was a slow seller. If they had product still sitting on the shelf, they wouldn't be doing another run.

The genesis of my original comment was based upon the statement made by a certain manufacture and various insiders that the PRR was a fourth tier road and didn't sell well.

Regardless of whether it was a poor or slow seller (does that make difference?), the bottom line was that Kato didn't think it was worth re-running it for 11 years.  That in itself says something, doesn't it?

As far as PRR being fourth tier RR, maybe if the ones more popular are UP, SP, and ATSF (in no particular order) then yes, it is a 4th tier.    I just pulled those names out of a hat, but I know that they are popular railroads

[nightmare0331]

The economy had quite a bit to do with the original run Broadway sets not selling out to expectations in 2008.

I noticed an interesting trend that started due to the great recession...Kato used to have (and there definitely still are some) quite a few more customers who would literally purchase one of everything that came out (give or take)....especially the name train series.  As expendable income dried up people eyed their hobby purchases much closer and made much more conscientious choices on what they were purchasing.  It's not that any product is/was particularly bad...it's that tougher decisions were being made 'do I need this or should I squirrel the money away for an emergency, if I lose my job, etc'

Sure, there were other factors at play...Pennsylvania honestly doesn't sell as well as ATSF, UP or any of the CZ railroads just due to people's personal tastes, a few people told me the set was ugly, etc. the sheen was wrong, etc.  (going back to personal tastes) 

Now, here we are...11/12 years later and the market seems like it is ready for another run of Broadway Limited sets and there was actually a slot for manufacturing capacity (not to be confused with tooling and design capacity...that's a whole other can of worms).  I'm sure they will sell reasonably well this time around as there is demand there.  Now how well is another story.  The quantity that needs to be ordered by Kato USA from the factory is significantly lower then the original run as there is no new tooling involved so it's a bit less of a risk now.  However the quantity is still fairly substantial so it's still a calculated risk.

Regardless, I'm sure this will make alot of people happy along with the usual 'harrumph my wallet is safe' and 'what were they thinking' comments. 

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[chicken45]

If we're fourth tier, I'd HATE to see what NYC is!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh jeez, I just realized this. The next run of Kato Broadway will be here just in time for the NEXT recession...

It, along with inverted bond yield curves, are one of the leading indicators. Someone needs to alert CNBC and Bloomberg!

[squirrelhunter]

Oh jeez, I just realized this. The next run of Kato Broadway will be here just in time for the NEXT recession...

It, along with inverted bond yield curves, are one of the leading indicators. Someone needs to alert CNBC and Bloomberg!

I LOL'd! It's a sign!

[squirrelhunter]

Also, excited to get a PRR baggage mail. I preordered one to add to my Missouri Pacific Southerner I'm putting together. My understanding is that at least occassionally cars with RPO compartments would be used in sealed storage mail service.

[Point353]

Oh jeez, I just realized this. The next run of Kato Broadway will be here just in time for the NEXT recession...
It, along with inverted bond yield curves, are one of the leading indicators. Someone needs to alert CNBC and Bloomberg!

Couple that with the NYC 20th Century Limited set due next year.

[CBQ Fan]

Couple that with the NYC 20th Century Limited set due next year.

I am thinking it is the NYC offering that is the genesis of this offering.

[brill27mcb]

Did I miss it, or has no one mentioned that this set seems to be the "other" Broadway consist, with different names on the cars than the first release.

Rich K.

[Ike the BN Freak]

Oh jeez, I just realized this. The next run of Kato Broadway will be here just in time for the NEXT recession...

It, along with inverted bond yield curves, are one of the leading indicators. Someone needs to alert CNBC and Bloomberg!

So you're saying Kato is causing the recessions? Or is it the Broadway is causing them...if so...sounds like the SPFs need to slow their rolls a bit

[nickelplate759]

Not causes, indicates.  Meaning you can use production runs of the Broadway to predict recessions.   I wouldn't advise that any more than I'd advice using an octopus to predict soccer games.