Kato C55?

[spookshow]

Since the Kato C55 4-6-2 is so popular over here in the US (repower jobs, kitbashes, etc), I decided to go ahead and add an entry for it to my locomotive encyclopedia. In aid of that, can anyone tell me when these first came out and what (if any) upgrades/changes have been made since the initial release? Also, I've seen these listed as either "2011 C55" or "2012 C55". What's that about? The one I purchased is a 2011.

Actually, pretty much any and all information y'all would care to provide would be helpful. I really don't know a danged thing about these.



Thanks!
-Mark

[peteski]

Search through the N scale section of the A-board. IIRC, ebit posted some excellent info about this model.  Too bad he doesn't participate in this forum.  He seems to be an expert on Japanese models (well, he is Japanese). 

[spookshow]

Thanks, Pete. There's a great deal of discussion there about the dimensions of the model and whatnot, but not much in the way of historical information. I tried Kato USA, but they don't know anything about the Kato-Japan models (although one guy did speculate that the C55 likely predates Kato USA).

I'll try PM'ing Ebi directly. If anyone can answer my questions, he'd be the guy.

Cheers,
-Mark

[Kiasutha]

Mark:
Here's a bit more for you, from the 1992 N-Trak steam info book:

"Shown in the current (kato) catalog,but not yet produced,is a C-55, 4-6-2, Kato#2011.
It is expected to be the next steam offering by Kato.
The wheel arrangement is similar to the C-57 but uses spoked drivers rather than the more modern disk style wheels."

Note that when this was written, the manual included a photo of Kato C-57 Pacific #2007,and noted that it was one of 4 versions available. Unfortunately, the manual doesn't give the item numbers for the other variants.
You might think they were the # up to 2011,but a D-51 Mikado #2009 proves they weren't consecutive...
Regards,
Jim R.








 

[spookshow]

Thanks, Jim. That's most helpful.

Cheers,
-Mark

[spookshow]

I just got a follow-up email from Kato suggesting I check out www.spookshow.net. Apparently a handy source of information 

Cheers,
-Mark

[Philip H]

I just got a follow-up email from Kato suggesting I check out www.spookshow.net. Apparently a handy source of information 

Cheers,
-Mark

that's CLASSIC!

Some Mod needs to lock this and move it to the Best of Archive - its not a stellar thread but it is an example of the excellence we have around here.

[peteski]

I could have sworn that at Ebit posted a detailed and complete history of that model (with all the different variations of mechanism) on the A-board.  But maybe I saw it somewhere else (or maybe someone else posted that info).  Getting old sucks - memory is failing me. 

[spookshow]

That may very well be there. Unfortunately, when you search for "Kato c55" you also get a lot of "code 55 rail" blather, so it's tough separate the wheat from the chaff. I'll have another look.

-Mark

[peteski]

That may very well be there. Unfortunately, when you search for "Kato c55" you also get a "code 55 rail" blather, so it's tough separate the wheat from the chaff. I'll have another look.

-Mark

If you have ebit's email address, I think that contacting him would be an excellent idea. It would be even better if you could convince him to join TRW! 

I did just that a while back (using the contact email address at the A-board), but he never responded to that communication.

[spookshow]

He (ebi) posted one of his brilliant articles on Trainboard a couple of months ago, so he's at least connected there. Hopefully he'll respond to my PM.

-Mark

[spookshow]

Incidentally - I did figure out what the difference is between the 2011 and 2012 versions: different smoke deflectors.

-Mark

[CBQ Fan]

I just wish Kato would do more American steam!

[spookshow]

So, here's what I know so far -

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/katoc55.html

Thanks for all the help!
-Mark

[CBQ Fan]

Very Nice!!!