New run Kato NW-2.

[MK]

Wish they did more roads. For the sound units, is Kelley Duford doing the work?

I believe he is no longer doing installs for Kato.

[nstars]

$100 extra for DCC and $200 extra for sound?? The analog version is only $135.

Marc

[nscaler711]

$100 extra for DCC and $200 extra for sound?? The analog version is only $135.

Marc

Yeah the labor rate is included in the price... have you ever taken your car to a shop before? It's not robots doing the work. Have to keep the lights on and still pay employees somehow.

[garethashenden]

Generally...  Any mechanism that drives through a spur gear on the motor shaft is going to be prone to being noisy. 

Unless they decide to get fancy and use helical gears or something like that.

Fitting sound to one of these little buggers is going to be interesting, though guys are doing it to the N scale 44 tonners, so I suppose it can't be that difficult.

Given how the sound equipped Big Boys came out, don't hold your breath!

[Nick Lorusso]

Nice, I’ll get one to re-paint or get an undec shell when they hit the parts store.  Website says new mech. and motor. 

(Attachment Link)

Tom L
Wellington CO

The decoder is the same as the last one. I myself will have to get 1 or 4 and repaint need stripes in SP & ATSF

[nscaler711]

Anyone else spot this? 
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[NorsemanJack]

Nice, I’ll get one to re-paint or get an undec shell when they hit the parts store.  Website says new mech. and motor. 

(Attachment Link)

Tom L
Wellington CO

I think that is old copy.  I doubt that they are changing the mechanism.

[peteski]

I think that is old copy.  I doubt that they are changing the mechanism.

These ever only had a single versions of the mechanism.  If the copy states "new mechanism", then it should be different then the original.

[u18b]

Anyone else spot this? 
(Attachment Link)

Are you refering to the car wreck in the background.
hahaha.
 

Not sure why you got downvoted.   I thought it was funny.

[nscaler711]

Are you refering to the car wreck in the background.
hahaha.
 

Not sure why you got downvoted.   I thought it was funny.

I am, I thought it was amusing that someone decided to throw it in the shot.
Also thanks for the updoots.

I do wonder if the new mechs will fit the older runs, I have two I need decoders for but I haven't seen them in years. Also need parts for one of them so I'm glad they are getting a second wind finally.

[tehachapifan]

I'm also going to put my money on it being the same mechanism as before and this is a holdover from the original runs. I've seen a number of new models from various manufacturers that boast an "all new mechanism" or similar terminology when announced. If it said "redesigned mechanism", I might think otherwise. Plus, IDK if the old mechanism was so troublesome it warranted a complete redesign. New mechanism is to make room for a decoder? I've been putting drop-in decoders (and even a sound decoder) in these for years (albeit the shell never quite sat all the way down with the drop-in's without some Dremel work inside the shell).

Edit- I did miss that these are also going to be available with sound. That may require a new mechanism after all, as my sound install was certainly not a drop-in.

[peteski]

I'm also going to put my money on it being the same mechanism as before and this is a holdover from the original runs. I've seen a number of new models from various manufacturers that boast an "all new mechanism" or similar terminology when announced. If it said "redesigned mechanism", I might think otherwise.

Well, Kato totally redesigned their "critter" mechanisms for a coreless motor, and 3-point equalized suspension to maximize contact with the rails for reliable operation.  They also redesigned some other mechanisms from screwed to screw-less split frame design. That gives me hope that  they did actually make a new mechanism for  NW2.

[DRGW5349]

This is from the 2007 KatoUSA website with the original verbiage found using the Wayback Machine search.
I suspect since the decoders are the same ones from the original run that the mechanism is the same.

Kato’s own N scale NW2 replicates each and every rivet of prototype detail with pinpoint precision, while emphasizing low-speed, high-power pulling. It also features directional headlights (without any of the lightpiping equipment intruding on the interior cab detail), low profile wheels, illuminated numberboards, and Kato magnetic knuckle couplers.

  Model Features:

All locomotives will be equipped with body mounted KATO magnetic knuckle couplers
Locomotives feature directional Golden White LED headlights and illuminated preprinted numberboards.
Sophisticated lightpiping keeps the visible cab interior free of lighting equipment.
All new motor and mechanism design
Locomotives will be DCC friendly

[Tom L]

 I figured since the E and F units got a re-design maybe these did to, but yeah, looks like just the original ad copy.
 
Tom L
Wellington CO

[Chris333]

If they just knurled the shaft where the gear was slipping that would fix it.