New tooled loco from Kato coming....

[Catt]

KATO SDP 45 both versions  I'd break my no more new loco rule for those.

[nkalanaga]

Johnb:  The U33C would be so simple I'm surprised they haven't already done it.  The only real difference between it and the U30C is the radiator section, so it wouldn't be any harder to tool than the C30-7.  Three models from basically the same tooling isn't bad, and they could also sell it as the U36C, giving them more roads.

[nscaler711]

I know they said OLDER... But I still want to see a Bolt on Nose P42... After all they made them in HO scale...
I have come to the conclusion that Kato does whatever Kato wants to do... Oh well we shall wait and see... But I've still got my fingers crossed for that P42... (as long as they leave the mech alone... Blasted 40-2MP ACe's.... )

[Ike the BN Freak]

I have come to the conclusion that Kato does whatever Kato wants to do...

More of Kato does what will sell in Japan, we in the states don't really matter much to them. If you ever find yourself in Tokyo and have a few hours to blow, visit their store, you'll see what I mean, in HO and N for US proto was quite small compared to the amount of Japanese and European proto they had.

[nscaler711]

Oh I know, I came to that conclusion years ago. 
And to those nay sayers saying Kato is listening to us, don't point out the FEF... I know a few Japanese folks who wanted it more than we did lol... (thank you wife's Japanese friends...)

[Ngineer]

On the other hand, we might have better luck lobbying Athearn for the SDP40F, as they might be able to reuse some parts of their FP45.

In my humble opinion, Athearn models in N-scale aren't worth their money. (Sorry to be so frank.)

I haven't bought a single model that I was happy with. Ethanol tank cars had curved railings which can't be fixed cause they break. A Maxi well car had broken metal parts. The paint job on the Great Northern F45 is truly HORRIFIC. Their box cars look like they have been tooled in the 50s. A few McHenry couplers came without a spring. Et cetera. (The lumber load for their 53' flat cars is nice, though.)

Personally, I am not buying ANYTHING from Athearn. Maybe I had bad luck, so if you disagree, no sweat. Or maybe they focus on H0 modelers, which is a much more important market.

   Javier

[nkalanaga]

I like my GN, and BN, F45s.  The BSB shade is debatable on a few. but that tends to be the case with most manufacturers.  Athearn's blue is much better than CCS's passenger cars, which I won't buy.  The last two looked more like too-dark Conrail Blue.

The F45s run very nicely with my Kato units, and are certainly heavy enough to pull anything I can put behind them.  The trains stringline on curves before they stall.

I do have doubts about the McHenrys, but so far haven't had any problems, and it looks like Accumates will fit the boxes if I have to change them.

[sundowner]

Well, Kato had issues with there GN BSB SD45 with the blue bleeding with into the white so there not all perfect.

[oakcreekco]

Oh I know, I came to that conclusion years ago. 
And to those nay sayers saying Kato is listening to us, don't point out the FEF... I know a few Japanese folks who wanted it more than we did lol... (thank you wife's Japanese friends...)

Yep, just my opinion, but the Kato FEF is the finest running "N" scale loco that I've had the pleasure to own and operate. It's as good, or better running, than the GP/SD/PA/E's of any brand that I have.

That's saying something for a "N" steamer, and I'm not just a Kato nut either. I was really shocked how well the FEF starts/runs/stops and pulls.

Like a lot of modelers, I'm "loco heavy", but I just may have to make room for a few more.

Just a real treat to operate, and dang "easy on the eyes" too!

[Ngineer]

and it looks like Accumates will fit the boxes if I have to change them.

That's correct. I have exchanged the McHenrys with Accumates, and it is hassle-free. (Unlike putting Micro-Trains couplers in Kato locos.)

The problem with the GN big sky blue F45 isn't the shade, but the paint is TOO THICK, and the separation between white and blue is rather blurry, not a straight line. (And, someone told me they made an error regarding the hood doors, but I can't confirm that.)

  Javier

[central.vermont]

I cant believe that there is 8 pages of discussion on a tease from Kah-Toe.  Also noticed that people keep talking about a "re-tool" but they clearly stated it's a" new tooled engine".  What ever it is, I hope it will be something useful for us that are east of the Mississippi!!

Jon 

[tehachapifan]

....What ever it is, I hope it will be something useful for us that are east of the Mississippi!!

Jon 

Is there even a world west of the Mississippi?

[victor miranda]

Is the missippi river the one that keeps washing out bridges?
for a while I thought the barge industry was wiping them out to get more biz...

It turns out that there are railroads AND people living over there...

go figure.

I an an atlantic man myself

victor

[delamaize]

Is there even a world west of the Mississippi?

The left coast is the best coast. 

[nkalanaga]

Javier:  Maybe I got lucky, then, and got a good one.  If it's poor quality control, hopefully Athearn will fix it.  I think the GN F45 is one of the best looking BSB units when they're clean.  To me, the striping really didn't look right on the earlier F units, as the nose curves didn't match the stripe curves.

Sundowner:  I missed out on that one - lucky me.  I painted my own from their first run, and never bought the factory painted version.  Not knowing of there would BE a second run, I didn't want to take any chances.