|
Post by grabbem88 on Sept 7, 2014 14:53:04 GMT -8
Thanks Tom I appreciate that
Btw #6322 is in that Kodachrome paint scheme was the kato gp35 6322 fantasy or real?
|
|
|
Post by ChessieFan1978 on Sept 7, 2014 17:52:09 GMT -8
FINALLY! !!!! Kato steps up to the HO plate. They make the best running drives on the market hands down. Can't wait to see the additional roads to be offered.
|
|
|
Post by wmcbride on Sept 7, 2014 19:29:37 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. I've got some of those Model Railroading issues in a box somewhere. The handrails do look great! Bill McBride
|
|
|
Post by Spikre on Sept 8, 2014 10:14:21 GMT -8
what if Kato uses the 2 Motor drive from the Mud Missles ? wouldn't that just ruin some ones day ? Spikre
|
|
|
Post by ChessieFan1978 on Sept 8, 2014 10:49:14 GMT -8
Kato said that they were not going to put that motor in locomotives that they already have in their lineup. It would require to much retooling. It would be reserved for future releases.
|
|
|
Post by Spikre on Sept 8, 2014 10:57:27 GMT -8
Reading 5300, we'll see if they stick to that eventually. Jim Six: most of His articles here are in Prototype Modeler. really good articles for sure. also seem to recall that He was Editor of PTM for awhile. Spikre
|
|
|
Post by nightmare0331 on Sept 8, 2014 15:36:28 GMT -8
what if Kato uses the 2 Motor drive from the Mud Missles ? wouldn't that just ruin some ones day ? Spikre Not a chance. This will have the same drive that was in previous GP35's. Kelley.
|
|
|
Post by bnsf971 on Sept 8, 2014 16:40:42 GMT -8
what if Kato uses the 2 Motor drive from the Mud Missles ? wouldn't that just ruin some ones day ? Spikre Not a chance. This will have the same drive that was in previous GP35's. Kelley. Although I'm sure if you really, really want the P42 trucks with motors in a GP35, Kato will be more than happy to sell you a pair for the project... If you do this, though, we all want to see photos. Remember, without pictures, it never happened!
|
|
|
Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Sept 8, 2014 17:02:33 GMT -8
Last time I spoke with Jim Six he was into building a small layout, sold the majority of his power and giving clinics on backdrop photos with Photoshop Elements.
|
|
|
Post by Spikre on Sept 9, 2014 2:49:43 GMT -8
K-9, would think that Jim Six would be in for a pair of EL SDP45s to use as Run Thru power to St Louis over N&W on the Cannonball they ran with EL. did Kato ever do the "Worlds Fair" GP35 that NYC bought ? interesting as it was the only NYC GP35 with Dynamics,any one know what Phase that unit was ? any one looking for ATSF Yellow Bonnet #-2804,37-021 ? just wondering as it was supposed to be a PRR unit,and doesn't really fit in here. Spikre
|
|
|
Post by The Ferro Kid on Sept 9, 2014 7:43:36 GMT -8
I wish Kato would do the NW2 again -- I totally missed out on those, although I seem to recall they were heavy on the Western roadnames. I'd love to see EL, LV, NYC, and O&W.
|
|
|
Post by ChessieFan1978 on Sept 9, 2014 11:18:53 GMT -8
I wish Kato would do the NW2 again -- I totally missed out on those, although I seem to recall they were heavy on the Western roadnames. I'd love to see EL, LV, NYC, and O&W. Kato does lean towards Western roadnames, hopefully they will give us Eastern modelers some models this go around.
|
|
|
Post by Spikre on Sept 9, 2014 12:11:25 GMT -8
Reading5300,Ferro Kid, get a BLI NW2,the Kato Mechanism is a blown up N drive with the HO Kato Motor. cant stand the Chessie unit that is here.so far the only Kato loco that doesn't seem up to Parr !! the surround weight makes the unit run hot,and the jack rabbit starts are sure signs the N Division of Kato designed the drive. the body detailaround the radiator is weak also. Spikre
|
|
|
Post by bnsf971 on Sept 9, 2014 15:09:55 GMT -8
any one looking for ATSF Yellow Bonnet #-2804,37-021 ? just wondering as it was supposed to be a PRR unit,and doesn't really fit in here. Spikre I'm always watching for stuff like that, though I'm something of a cheap so-and-so. I was heading to my LHS two weeks ago to get that very loco, only to find it had gone out of business...
|
|
|
Post by bnsf971 on Sept 9, 2014 15:11:26 GMT -8
NYC 6155 was the World Fair unit.
|
|
|
Post by Spikre on Sept 10, 2014 10:44:31 GMT -8
Terry, thanks for the NYC number,but what phase was it ? they had an undec Phs-1c here before they closed,but would think that was too late for a unit built in late 63/early 64 ? interesting that All NYC GP40s had Dynamics,but NYC was sort of split on that option.units for the B&A generally had Dynamics. but even that wasn't constant. Spikre
|
|
|
Post by GP40P-2 on Sept 10, 2014 10:57:37 GMT -8
The fine print in Kato's advertisment does have room for some concern:
"Undec sold from Kato USA on a pre order basis only" and "MSRP is estimated and subject to change upon release"
So I will only be able to get an Undec from Kato (where there won't be a "street price"), where I will have to pre-order it, and it could arrive with a price of $200? It kind of leaves me a bit uncomfortable.....
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2014 11:47:53 GMT -8
The fine print in Kato's advertisment does have room for some concern: "Undec sold from Kato USA on a pre order basis only" and "MSRP is estimated and subject to change upon release" So I will only be able to get an Undec from Kato (where there won't be a "street price"), where I will have to pre-order it, and it could arrive with a price of $200? It kind of leaves me a bit uncomfortable..... I contacted my LHS, EngineHouse Services in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Paul, the owner, will sort this out and get back to me. When he does, I'll post his comments. Unless Kelly(nightmare0330) a Kato USA employee sets the record straight first.
|
|
|
Post by edwardsutorik on Sept 10, 2014 12:18:07 GMT -8
...thanks for the NYC number,but what phase was it ? It was a Ia1. Built 11/63. Saw it with my very own eyes. And took a picher. It's around here, somewhere. With the lead to gold formula. Or was that tinfoil to peanut shells? I forget. Ed
|
|
|
Post by nightmare0331 on Sept 10, 2014 12:40:48 GMT -8
The fine print in Kato's advertisment does have room for some concern: "Undec sold from Kato USA on a pre order basis only" and "MSRP is estimated and subject to change upon release" So I will only be able to get an Undec from Kato (where there won't be a "street price"), where I will have to pre-order it, and it could arrive with a price of $200? It kind of leaves me a bit uncomfortable..... I contacted my LHS, EngineHouse Services in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Paul, the owner, will sort this out and get back to me. When he does, I'll post his comments. Unless Kelly(nightmare0330) a Kato USA employee sets the record straight first. That disclaimer on pricing is on all Kato ads, but rarely does that get deviated from except under extreme circumstances. International currency fluctuations and all of that stuff. Kato doesn't make a habit of bait and switch on pricing. The undecorated units are by preorder only...not from Kato only. Meaning, order from your favorite place (ie, Enginehouse Services), and as long as their preorder is in to their distributors or Kato by December 19th, you'll get it. There aren't extras or spares of the undecorated GP35's being brought in. Hope this helps! Kelley.
|
|
|
Post by GP40P-2 on Sept 10, 2014 13:51:08 GMT -8
Thanks Kelley for the clarification (and for getting another run of the GP35s brought in). I haven't had an issue with Kato before, and didn't think that there would be one this time, but had to be sure.
|
|
|
Post by Spikre on Sept 12, 2014 10:39:39 GMT -8
Terry,Ed, was on that unit both years,64 and 65. NYC must have gotten a good price on it after the Fair closed. so the ATSF unit is the correct phase,but really not in the mood to tear it down and strip it. maybe will just try to get an undec when they arrive. Spikre
|
|
|
Post by The Ferro Kid on Sept 12, 2014 15:21:34 GMT -8
Reading5300,Ferro Kid, get a BLI NW2,the Kato Mechanism is a blown up N drive with the HO Kato Motor. cant stand the Chessie unit that is here.so far the only Kato loco that doesn't seem up to Parr !! the surround weight makes the unit run hot,and the jack rabbit starts are sure signs the N Division of Kato designed the drive. the body detailaround the radiator is weak also. Spikre Spikre, thanks for the insight -- I didn't realize the BLI NW2 owed so much to the Kato NW2. I have some early BLI NW2s without sound, so I guess that means I have some "Kato" NW-2s after all. Of course, the problem with buying NW2s from BLI anymore is you have to pony-up for sound, which I don't always do.
|
|
|
Post by SCL618 on Sept 13, 2014 3:42:05 GMT -8
The BLI "NW2-SW7" is a mix and match of various phases of SW-NW spotting features and is not correct for ANY NW2 based upon the length of the radiators and lack of latches on the power assembly doors. The Kato model can be rebuilt with Archer louvers to obtain later phases, and splicing the single stage hood step from a P2K SW8-SW9-SW1200 will get you a later Phase 5 NW2 or Phase I SW7. The front intake grill of the Kato can be upgraded with the use of a photo-etched replacement. The Kato NW2s I have worked on, do everything they were intended to do and once fitted with a decoder are easily a better product than the BLI. The BLI model is a disappointment as it doesn't represent what it was intended to replicate since it was based on a flawed drawing to begin with.
|
|
|
Post by Spikre on Sept 13, 2014 11:32:53 GMT -8
OPPPS !! Ferro, there is nothing in common between the Kato NW2 and the BLI NW2. was trying to say that if You want a decent running NW2 for Switching service go with the BLI unit. if You sweat the small details don't get either,both have some glitches, but they do look like NW2s. Kato is an early NW2,maybe is closest to units built until 46 ? BLI is a later unit,maybe 47 - 48 looking unit. the BLI has better slow speed,similar to the Proto EMD switchers. so when will Proto do the Flexi Coil SW1200s ? better yet get one of each,a Kato,BLI and Proto unit and see which will fit Your needs best. Spikre
|
|
|
Post by The Ferro Kid on Sept 13, 2014 16:22:32 GMT -8
Spikre, sorry I misread you. Thanks for the clarification!
|
|
|
Post by alcoc430 on Sept 13, 2014 17:44:57 GMT -8
OPPPS !! Ferro, there is nothing in common between the Kato NW2 and the BLI NW2. was trying to say that if You want a decent running NW2 for Switching service go with the BLI unit. if You sweat the small details don't get either,both have some glitches, but they do look like NW2s. Kato is an early NW2,maybe is closest to units built until 46 ? BLI is a later unit,maybe 47 - 48 looking unit. the BLI has better slow speed,similar to the Proto EMD switchers. so when will Proto do the Flexi Coil SW1200s ? better yet get one of each,a Kato,BLI and Proto unit and see which will fit Your needs best. Spikre I would say the kato is the better runner. The bli is nothing special in the details or the running.
|
|
|
Post by Spikre on Sept 14, 2014 9:22:30 GMT -8
ga751, the Kato NW2 here is plain ol' DC. it wont be DCCed by me,and is going someday. it runs great over 35 SMPH,but doesn't run very well below 10 SMPH. maybe should give it a 100 Hour Break In ? some one has done that with a BLI and it still ran great at the end of that trial. Kato really dropped the Ball with the NW2,the blown up N drive doesn't inspire confidence here. Spikre
|
|
|
Post by nightmare0331 on Sept 16, 2014 6:36:15 GMT -8
I find the complaints of the Kato NW2 mechanism odd, since most of the NW2's I've had and worked on work well in slow speed.
Other than being a bear to take apart and involving some work to convert to DCC (keep in mind, it was released in 1993-1994), the Kato NW2 is an excellent runner and I've found the mass of that mechanism lends itself well to slow speed operation.
I do agree, the paint is a bit rough on the Chessie units, but, like I said, it's a 20 year old model.
In the interest of full disclosure, while I do work for Kato, these are my own observations of the NW2.
Of course, mileage and opinions may vary.
Kelley.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2014 7:01:15 GMT -8
I find the complaints of the Kato NW2 mechanism odd, since most of the NW2's I've had and worked on work well in slow speed. Other than being a bear to take apart and involving some work to convert to DCC (keep in mind, it was released in 1993-1994), the Kato NW2 is an excellent runner and I've found the mass of that mechanism lends itself well to slow speed operation. I do agree, the paint is a bit rough on the Chessie units, but, like I said, it's a 20 year old model. In the interest of full disclosure, while I do work for Kato, these are my own observations of the NW2. Of course, mileage and opinions may vary. Kelley. So now that Kato is rolling out the GP35 phase Ia, originally released in 1992, is the NW2 far behind?
|
|