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Post by SOMECALLMETIM on Sept 5, 2014 19:45:53 GMT -8
Got a note from my hobby shop with a preorder for Kato GP35s. Looks like they are in production again. Visiting Kato's website it doesn't look like they have upgraded anything on the model or at least they haven't announced it. Undecorated versions are available. Announcement says phase Ia. Kato GP35 |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2014 19:58:11 GMT -8
Got a note from my hobby shop with a preorder for Kato GP35s. Looks like they are in production again. Visiting Kato's website it doesn't look like they have upgraded anything on the model or at least they haven't announced it. Undecorated versions are available. Announcement says phase Ia. Kato GP35That page says the model has 42" wheels. The EMD version had 40". This Kato page says "New" www.katousa.com/HO/locomotive.html I wonder if that's just a mistake(?). When was the last run? |
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Post by atsfan on Sept 6, 2014 3:59:00 GMT -8
Last run was many years ago.
It is too bad Kato basically has retreated from the HO market.
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Post by catt on Sept 6, 2014 4:05:46 GMT -8
KATO's bread and butter is N scale but their HO is pretty damn sweet too.I wonder if that 42" wheel size is a typo.I am way over my HO loco allotment or there might be a few of these new ones in my future.(I have two from a earlier run,love how these units run)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2014 5:01:47 GMT -8
Got a note from my hobby shop with a preorder for Kato GP35s. Looks like they are in production again. Visiting Kato's website it doesn't look like they have upgraded anything on the model or at least they haven't announced it. Undecorated versions are available. Announcement says phase Ia. Kato GP35That page says the model has 42" wheels. The EMD version had 40". This Kato page says "New" www.katousa.com/HO/locomotive.html I wonder if that's just a mistake(?). When was the last run? The Kato GP35 Phase Ia was the first GP35 done by Kato. Kato would later do the Ib and Ic. The phase Ia was originally released in 1992 and had an MSRP of $109.98... Let that sink in boys and girls..... in 1992 the MSRP WAS $109.98. The MSRP on the new run by Kato is only $135 for undecorated and $140 for AT&SF and NYC.
In 1992, I can vividly remember the fist pounding by some over the price, I myself was a bit sticker shocked but still purchased a few undecorated. $140 in today's prices for a DCC ready model, the first run was not DCC ready because of the year, is not a bad price. Especially when you consider Kato's drive which is buttery smooth.
So either the Kato of 1992 was terribly over priced or the Kato of 2014 is under priced.
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Post by bnsf971 on Sept 6, 2014 5:06:44 GMT -8
I spoke with Dee, "way back" when he still worked there (they tell me he retired), and he told me Kato was staying away from the HO market until they could figure out a way to make their pricing more competitive. Looks like they have.
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Post by emd16645 on Sept 6, 2014 5:32:29 GMT -8
I would expect that for $140 that there are little if any changes to the tooling. That being said, it's great to see another run of these, and the drives are phenomenal. The addition of the DCC plug is a huge plus. Too bad I don't have a need for any.
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Post by atsfan on Sept 6, 2014 6:23:02 GMT -8
The drives are nice indeed.
Too bad they are doing the older ATSF scheme.
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Post by bigblow69 on Sept 6, 2014 6:28:28 GMT -8
And still yet no early production AC4400CW  |
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Post by curtmc on Sept 6, 2014 6:50:53 GMT -8
I've always had the feeling that HO was something Kato only dabbled into when they had an available production slot...
Kato's primary market is N-scale Asian prototypes. Even back when Kato was very active in US HO (SD70MAC, Dash-9...) and N scale somebody more familiar which their operation noted that the US portion (combined US N and US HO) of their total sales was about 10%.
What has hampered Kato US HO sales is their cost of doing the truly RTR units - with all the truck parts and handrails factory applied - because of the extra product costs in Japan of doing that (much higher labor costs than China). That cost difference - which can be seen in the difference between the regular and Kobo production - made them less price competitive on the fully RTR units that are now the lion's share of US HO sales.
By the way, look for another run of Kato HO snoot SD40-2s next year (as they had a custom one at their booth in Cleveland along with a custom GP35)...
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Post by nightmare0331 on Sept 6, 2014 8:51:31 GMT -8
The wheel size will be the same size as previous runs of GP35's which I believe is 40" but I don't have one in front of me right this second to verify.
These units are also being offered assembled with DCC installed for a few bucks more.
There are no plans for snoots next year. That was a one off custom painted sample shown in Cleveland by the Japanese guy who paints some of the N scale Kobo stuff.
There are however, more HO projects lined up...
Enjoy!
Kelley.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2014 9:22:51 GMT -8
The wheel size will be the same size as previous runs of GP35's which I believe is 40" but I don't have one in front of me right this second to verify. These units are also being offered assembled with DCC installed for a few bucks more. There are no plans for snoots next year. That was a one off custom painted sample shown in Cleveland by the Japanese guy who paints some of the N scale Kobo stuff. There are however, more HO projects lined up... Enjoy! Kelley. I thought the 42" wheels might be a typo. The Kato drive alone might be worth gettings these after the discount from the $135 list price and selling the shell on eBay. |
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Post by Donnell Wells on Sept 6, 2014 9:49:44 GMT -8
...22 years later, and still the best GP35 on the market!
Donnell
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Post by markfj on Sept 6, 2014 10:22:11 GMT -8
This is welcomed news, but I’m going to hold out and wait for Athearn to offer a GP35 in their Genesis line. Consider what Athearn has released already, it’s only a matter of time. Perhaps Kato has the same idea and is using this announcement to stealing market share from Athearn inevitable GP35 release. Kato probably didn’t update the 1992 tooling much (if at all), so we’re getting a 22 year old model in new paint schemes. One a more positive note; there should now be an abundance of drives available for swapping into older Proto GP30s. So, yes, it's the best...for now.  Mark |
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Post by bikedude on Sept 6, 2014 10:36:51 GMT -8
This is welcomed news, but I’m going to hold out and wait for Athearn to offer a GP35 in their Genesis line. Consider what Athearn has released already, it’s only a matter of time. Perhaps Kato has the same idea and is using this announcement to stealing market share from Athearn inevitable GP35 release. Kato probably didn’t update the 1992 tooling much (if at all), so we’re getting a 22 year old model in new paint schemes. One a more positive note; there should now be an abundance of drives available for swapping into older Proto GP30s. So, yes, it's the best...for now. Mark I'm very excited about the possibility of putting several of these under GP30s. Thanks for confirming.  |
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Post by Spikre on Sept 6, 2014 10:55:40 GMT -8
 guess this means No Phase II for now !!  Spikre 
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Post by Spikre on Sept 6, 2014 10:58:37 GMT -8
 OK, had to get that out of my System ! maybe when they get back to EL they can do the CORRECT Delivery scheme with the Maroon lettering Above the Maroon Side Stripe ?? Maybe ?? come on Kato,You can Do It !! Spikre 
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Post by TBird1958 on Sept 6, 2014 11:51:33 GMT -8
This is welcomed news, but I’m going to hold out and wait for Athearn to offer a GP35 in their Genesis line. Consider what Athearn has released already, it’s only a matter of time. Perhaps Kato has the same idea and is using this announcement to stealing market share from Athearn inevitable GP35 release. Kato probably didn’t update the 1992 tooling much (if at all), so we’re getting a 22 year old model in new paint schemes. One a more positive note; there should now be an abundance of drives available for swapping into older Proto GP30s. So, yes, it's the best...for now. Mark I'm very excited about the possibility of putting several of these under GP30s. Thanks for confirming.
I'm doing the same, Kato's drive train is worth it, plus you'll have better compatibility with other similar locos. They turn up on ebay, I got one for $40.00 but most have been around $70.
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Post by middledivision on Sept 6, 2014 12:14:43 GMT -8
...22 years later, and still the best GP35 on the market!
DonnellTrue. And sad. |
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Post by valenciajim on Sept 6, 2014 13:12:01 GMT -8
Wells said Donnell. I might pick up a couple of the undecorated models.
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Post by roadkill on Sept 6, 2014 14:19:13 GMT -8
This is welcomed news, but I’m going to hold out and wait for Athearn to offer a GP35 in their Genesis line. Consider what Athearn has released already, it’s only a matter of time. Perhaps Kato has the same idea and is using this announcement to stealing market share from Athearn inevitable GP35 release. Kato probably didn’t update the 1992 tooling much (if at all), so we’re getting a 22 year old model in new paint schemes. One a more positive note; there should now be an abundance of drives available for swapping into older Proto GP30s. So, yes, it's the best...for now. Mark Genesis or not the Kato will always run better. It's the benchmark of smooooooooooooooth. |
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Post by atsfan on Sept 6, 2014 19:34:39 GMT -8
Funny MTH did a brand new and more expensive GP35, that was a major dud.
They picked weird paint schemes (hint, ATSF war bonnet outsells the other schemes)
And it looked average.
Gotta say an odd choice for MTH and a huge disappointment .
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Post by tom on Sept 7, 2014 4:06:17 GMT -8
I am really glad that Kato is going to re-release the GP35! Once adjusted for inflation the price of the new release will be less than what I paid for my first one. Heck back then I sold my old motorcyle and was able to buy a Kato SD40 and GP35! Both of these units are still running in rebuilt form on my layout. While I have purchased some older Kato models on Ebay and stripped off the paint it is not much fun and starting with an undec is a lot easier. Painted models on Ebay are a lot cheaper than the undec ones. While someday Athearn may release a Genesis quality GP35 I won't have to wait. The handrails were upgraded following a number of Jim Six articles from years ago.    Time to purchase some more Cannon parts! |
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Post by atsfan on Sept 7, 2014 5:25:54 GMT -8
Very nice PC unit !
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Post by railthunder on Sept 7, 2014 7:07:49 GMT -8
I'm hoping Kato will also restock on some GP35 parts. I could use several more handrail kits.
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Post by wmcbride on Sept 7, 2014 8:28:43 GMT -8
Tom,
That is a beautiful PC unit. Were the Jim Six articles in Model Railroader/
Bill McBride
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Post by TBird1958 on Sept 7, 2014 8:48:17 GMT -8
Great looking GP35! PC black never looked better.
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Post by grabbem88 on Sept 7, 2014 10:18:06 GMT -8
I am really glad that Kato is going to re-release the GP35! Once adjusted for inflation the price of the new release will be less than what I paid for my first one. Heck back then I sold my old motorcyle and was able to buy a Kato SD40 and GP35! Both of these units are still running in rebuilt form on my layout. While I have purchased some older Kato models on Ebay and stripped off the paint it is not much fun and starting with an undec is a lot easier. Painted models on Ebay are a lot cheaper than the undec ones. While someday Athearn may release a Genesis quality GP35 I won't have to wait. The handrails were upgraded following a number of Jim Six articles from years ago. Time to purchase some more Cannon parts! Looks nice! And if you don't mind me bothering but I've been putting my SP #6322 off because I can't find any road numbers and the last time I tried they looked aweful!! So where/how? |
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Post by tom on Sept 7, 2014 13:44:29 GMT -8
[/quote]
Looks nice! And if you don't mind me bothering but I've been putting my SP #6322 off because I can't find any road numbers and the last time I tried they looked aweful!!
So where/how? [/quote]
If you are asking about the number board decals I either used the numbers in the Penn Central Microscale set or from ShellScale.
In either case I pop the headlight assembly out the unit, mask off the parts that I want to remain clear, then airbrush the numberboard section with ModelFlex Gloss Black. I then add the numbers, add a clear finish, and then after I am done weathering the engine I put the headlight assembly back in.
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Post by tom on Sept 7, 2014 13:52:13 GMT -8
Tom, That is a beautiful PC unit. Were the Jim Six articles in Model Railroader/ Bill McBride No these articles were from the now defunct Model Railroading magazine. The article was on modeling PRR GP35s and his methods showed how to drill through the Kato stanchions and then add 0.015" wire. This really makes the Kato models look good. This takes a while to do but allows the Kato engine with the 20+ year old die work lool fine with modern Atlas and Genesis engines. |
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