Online retailer taking reservations for Kato Big Boy.

[mike_lawyer]

I really wish Kato would release another USRA North American engine.  A heavy 2-10-2 would be ideal for all kinds of kitbashes. Their Mikado is the gold standard of N scale steam, I wish they had more offerings along those lines. 

[sundowner]

So a new run of sd70m in the future also, maybe 4014 and 4884.

[EspeeGoldenState]

I feel like Kato missed the boat on the Big Boy at this point. Sure, it might run great, but they're so late to the Big Boy game, between older (pre-DCC) models, the somewhat recent Athearn run, the alleged 2022 run of a Broadway Limited N scale Big Boy, that the casual non-UP modeler probably already has the one Big Boy they need. I have no doubt that it'll probably run well, its just so late to the game, I hope they don't lose their shirt on the deal.

Didn't buy the latest Athearn, as I figured it would be just like my 2015/17 version that doesn't seem to pull much of anything and the top speed seems way slower than it should be. No thanks on the BLI with their Paragon that is very hit or miss. I'll gladly wait another year or so for the Kato's version. Personally, I hope it sells well and they do the 3985 too.

[CBQ Fan]

Is the Japanese demand for US trains that high?

From my understanding the whole reason we have all of the named passenger train sets is due to demand in Japan.

[Point353]

From my understanding the whole reason we have all of the named passenger train sets is due to demand in Japan.

Apparently, then, no one in Japan is clamoring for an NP North Coast Limited train set.

[Englewood]

Is the Japanese demand for US trains that high?

Personally, I have a huge collection of Japanese trains, even though I've never been to Japan. I can see how people in a foreign country would have interest in American trains.

[greenwizard88]

Factory Direct Hobbies has them listed. The DCC + Sound version is listed at $440.

[spookshow]

Paul at Hogtrainz says that reservations are through the roof and that this could be one the biggest sellers of all time.

-Mark

[robert3985]

... Their Mikado is the gold standard of N scale steam, I wish they had more offerings along those lines.

I disagree.  The Kato Mikado is old old school.  The "gold standard of N scale steam" is the Kato FEF-3, which, in my opinion, is easily the best N-scale plastic steam engine ever produced.

Photo (1) - Kato FEF-3 - The Gold Standard of Plastic N-Scale Steam:


As for the Kato Big Boy...my only complaint is that it is likely to be 4014 specific...a model of that particular engine, with the modern upgrades, such as dual dynamos, modern safety appliances on the tender, a Challenger tender (the 3985's) rather than a true Big Boy tender, etc.  They might just decide to use the FEF tender 

However, from what I've seen, the detailing on Kato's model will be above and beyond any other Big Boy ever produced in N-scale, and hopefully mimic their FEF-3 (maybe even improve) the engine-to-tender connection simulations and how the smokebox fits on top of the trailing truck so there's not so much "air".  I hope Kato also compensates somehow for the lack of a steam connection on the rear engine's cylinders to allow "monkey-motion" articulation on the model so it will negotiate Unitrack curves.

I am sure it will be well worth the money IMHO and there's a good chance that it will be the new "gold standard" of plastic N-scale steam.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[mike_lawyer]

Bob -

I have heard the FEF is very good, I just consider the Mikado to be the gold standard because it is a generic locomotive rather than a particular prototype, and can be used on virtually any layout.  Obviously, the FEF is limited to a particular road. 

I would really like to see Kato produce another USRA steam locomotive that could be used for kitbashes.  I have suggested for the longest time a heavy 2-10-2 (with proper dimensions, unlike the Con-Cor version) that could be produced for many different roads.

Mike

[mmagliaro]

Yeah, what Mike said.
The FEF is a positively *amazing* engine.  The driver suspension, motor and pickups are better than the Mikado, and it could negotiate its way over a pile of rocks without derailing or stalling.  But as a generally "useful engine", the Mikado still wins in my book just by virtue of it fitting in on more layouts.  That's why I keep harping on an 0-6-0, 0-4-0, or 0-8-0: they aren't glamour engines, but they belong on every road and they are small enough to fit in on small layouts.

[carlso]

There has been discussion of a "new" KATO motor. I wonder if it could have anything to do with a possible Big Boy release ? ? ?

[mike_lawyer]

Yeah, what Mike said.
The FEF is a positively *amazing* engine.  The driver suspension, motor and pickups are better than the Mikado, and it could negotiate its way over a pile of rocks without derailing or stalling.  But as a generally "useful engine", the Mikado still wins in my book just by virtue of it fitting in on more layouts.  That's why I keep harping on an 0-6-0, 0-4-0, or 0-8-0: they aren't glamour engines, but they belong on every road and they are small enough to fit in on small layouts.

Max, I am right there with you.  I like big steam as much as anyone, but we really need some smaller steam locos like switchers that every road had.  A good 0-6-0 or 0-8-0 mechanism would be fantastic.  I wish Kato would release some smaller steam in addition to the big steam they have recently released.

[JeffB]

I really wish Kato would release another USRA North American engine.  A heavy 2-10-2 would be ideal for all kinds of kitbashes. Their Mikado is the gold standard of N scale steam, I wish they had more offerings along those lines.

The only thing I didn't like about the (early??) version of the Kato USRA 2-8-2 was the blackened brass drivers.  When the blackening agent wore off you could see the brass underneath.

Did they ever switch to "black" nickel plating for those?

JB

[sundowner]

I could see this engine being dual motor like there ho p42, each engine gets its own motor.