Kato's new pocket line steeple cab

[greenwizard88]

Just saw this on Instagram this morning.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKMN7V8JlUC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link



$45 ($35 street), coming this summer.

[dem34]

Maybe, besides the idea of doing foobie US style paintjobs I don't really see the point. Though if anything it might mean that these chassis are easier to get a hold of without having to deal with the month long import from Japan.

[CBQ Fan]

I think they are cool and get one just because!

[learmoia]

Cool.. based on Iowa Traction!  (Still active as a electric traction freight railroad in Mason City, IA)

[CRL]

I’ve got one of those lying around here somewhere with the earlier drive system. It’s very light so conductivity is problematic.

[peteski]

This one likely uses the revised chassis with a coreless motor with flywheel, and the ingenious 3-point suspension to maximize electric pickup.

[wes_sutton]

Kato are doing a British Railways foob of this model - the Brits went into meltdown 

http://www.katomodels.com/hobbycenter/blog/medias/uploads/%E3%83%81%E3%83%93%E5%87%B8%E8%8B%B1%E5%9B%BD%E9%89%84%E9%81%93.pdf

[Chris333]

Hasn't this pocket line loco been out for like 20 years now?

[nightmare0331]

for anyone knocking it...

Kato USA will sell tons of them.

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[Mark5]

Kato USA will sell tons of them.

Yup! 

[thomasjmdavis]

Now I will need a work train for the trolley line on the layout I will probably never get started on.

[up1950s]

[FROM A MERGED THREAD:]


http://www.katousa.com/N/Pocket/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_Traction_Railway

[thomasjmdavis]

I can tell I am becoming a curmudgeon. 
I think they are cute, and fun, and I might even buy one (I have a "Thomas" on order, so why not?).  A little whimsy can be a good thing- its a hobby.  Also great to have Kato producing the "pocket line" that allows folks with little space and small budgets to have some fun with trains.

While I think these are cute, etc., this is perhaps the third headline I've seen on the internet announcing them as "Kato Iowa Steeple Cab" (credit to the OP here that he did not attach several exclamation points).  These are Kato Japanese prototype (I assume) steeple cabs that will be painted to resemble the Iowa Traction scheme.  As shown in the Kato ads, they will be more UP Armour yellow than IT orange, but maybe that is just my eye or monitor, and will be lettered "Kato" rather than "Iowa". 

Kato USA will be releasing a special "US style" paint release version of the Pocket line steep cab electric, designed to resemble those used in the 1920's and in some cases still today in daily freight service at the Iowa Traction Railway! These orange painted engines will include a movable pantograph, North American standard Kato knuckle couplers, and a bright orange paint scheme.

Does anyone have a photo of an IT locomotive with a pantograph, or one with only 2 axles?  All the ad actually says about Iowa Traction is that they are still in business with electrics.

[sd45elect2000]

I guess I'm a little put out also. There were no long wheelbase 2 axle steeplcab motors on the Iowa Terminal or any other US electric interurbans. 2 axle motors were usually confined to industrial application and were quite small.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/6VE95B7TS/n-scale-baldwin-westinghouse-steeplecab?optionId=43861989&li=marketplace

I have several of these (above) Baldwin/Westinghouse motors,These are much closer to the actual Iowa Terminal motors. All I need to do is find a good substitute for the Ban Dai drive as they are not available. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]


These are the GE motors I have, they are proving to be VERY difficult to power.

[Mark5]

I think maybe folks are taking this Japanese model a little too seriously 

I always though the pocket line was aimed at kids/beginners:

https://www.unitrack-kato.com/line-up-en

BTW: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=51298.0

Mark