New Kato Poll

[GhengisKong]

In a nut shell, it comes down to name recognition and a unique locomotive that doesn't require a ton of tooling.

This is why on the TA poll, they had the Texas Rocket and also why they haven't made it because the TA has too unique of a drive.

They are willing to tool the passenger cars, but then it comes down to getting the tooling time.

Jason

Someone had mentioned that an FP7 and TA had a very similar wheelbase. I personally haven't looked into that.

[wcfn100]

Someone had mentioned that an FP7 and TA had a very similar wheelbase. I personally haven't looked into that.

They have the same truck centers.

I believe the wheelbase of the truck was the issue.

Jason

[OldEastRR]

IMO, it is a much prettier train.  But I think there were some other reasons that the Broadway Ltd. didn't sell well.  I for one was never interested in it (but I own other "pretty" Kato sets, such as the Morning Daylight.

For one reason, not many people will buy a hobby item in the midst of a huge recession -- the BL came out right when that mess started in 2008. Plus, yes, it was a dull brown train. But considering so many cars from that set could be used to build other PRR trains I don't see why SPFs didn't go for it. I made a General, Admiral, Pennsylvania Limited, Liberty Limited and some other name PRR trains using cars from the BL set (you can add IM PRR P85 coaches, and in the early '50s PRR trains there were heavyweights like MTL and RR made).
And it is the only way so far to get a BM70M, as KATO never released separate bodies, chassis and parts for that car. The BM70M was easily the most ubiquitous mail car on the PRR system.

[thomasjmdavis]

Might be that with all the skirting, a TA won't make an 11" radius curve?

[GhengisKong]

[Mark5]

Thanks Ghengis - interesting trucks. Pretty cool that they lasted until the late 50s.

[Ngineer]

I think the collector market in Japan (as well as the US) has a lot to do with selection of name trains.  Rather like some Micro-trains cars, I suspect many Kato train sets end up staying in their boxes, or displayed behind glass, rather than run on N scale rails.

I guess that is why they produce the Operation North Pole Christmas trains.

For one reason, not many people will buy a hobby item in the midst of a huge recession -- the BL came out right when that mess started in 2008.

Thanks for your explanation. That makes sense.

Plus, yes, it was a dull brown train.

Dull? Are you sure dark gray and light gray isn't duller?

And it is the only way so far to get a BM70M, as KATO never released separate bodies, chassis and parts for that car. The BM70M was easily the most ubiquitous mail car on the PRR system.

I don't get why they don't sell the BM70M as a single car. I am sure that it would sell quite well.

But the only single car in the last 15 years has been the ATSF sleeper Regal Spa AFAIK.

Well, I will keep my fingers crossed for the North Coast Limited.

   Javier

[GhengisKong]

Might be that with all the skirting, a TA won't make an 11" radius curve?

They could also do the late modified version with some skirting removed. It looks like a proper F unit in this pic I just found to come and post here immediately.

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[Point353]

They could also do the late modified version with some skirting removed. It looks like a proper F unit in this pic I just found to come and post here immediately.

Here's the similarly configured 602 in living color: http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/tr_ri602.jpg

[thomasjmdavis]

They could also do the late modified version with some skirting removed.

But then they would need to package it with some Chicago commuter coaches, rather than that beautiful late 1930s streamliner.  Or did the skirting come off earlier than I think it did?  And/or did the streamline car sets stay together longer than I think they did?  (I will admit, I am not a RI expert)  Were the train sets still intact in the 1950s? Back and forth to Peoria or Des Moines, maybe?

[peteski]

Dull? Are you sure dark gray and light gray isn't duller?

The 2-tone gray with pinstripes is much more elegant paint scheme than just plain-jane brown.  But in the end it is in the eye of the beholder.

[nightmare0331]

Sorry for the delay...I'm in the middle of moving which is a gigantic time suck.  Once done though, I have a larger house, much more storage space and a dedicated seperate 1000 sq foot shop.

A few things...the Broadway did have lackluster sales (comparatively ) however, in retrospect, it was released when the economy was...dicey.

On the subject of that...the BM70M baggage car...when the Broadway gets rerun (more of a question of when then *if* ) the parts department will probably order a bunch of spare components to sell kits as have been done with more recent releases.

I'm not hinting on the RI TA's...something else entirely.  That project has been pushed back but isn't dead...think of it as...dormant.

On the non flare SD70M's...I've never heard the molds were damaged until recently online.     I was not aware they were as scarce as they are, so I'll look more into that when I have a few minutes as I have passing interest in SP ones.  Who knows...maybe that can be slotted for a  quick rerun if some other project gets dropped...although the problem with that approach is there are quite a few projects in that category.

As always, subject to change, nothing is set in stone until you see an official announcement, honey vs. vinegar, etc. etc. etc.

Ah well...back to moving.

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[GhengisKong]

I'm not hinting on the RI TA's...something else entirely.  That project has been pushed back but isn't dead...think of it as...dormant.



Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

Dang it! Well the guessing sure will be fun until the end of June.

[Point353]

The 2-tone gray with pinstripes is much more elegant paint scheme than just plain-jane brown.

When you said "plain-jane brown" did you mean to say "tuscan red"?

[Jbub]

When you said "plain-jane brown" did you mean to say "tuscan red"?

Same thing, Tuscan red is just a fancy name for plain Jane brown.         

Before I get hate mail from all the SPF's, I'm totally kidding. I would buy a Broadway limited before 20th cl because I need something to pull behind a T1 in my fantasy land