A newly tooled engine plus more exciting older loco releases in "coming months." I read from the context that the "older loco releases" would be more schemes released for older Kato models (reference is to the new ATSF schemes announced for the F7 ). No additional clues on the new release. Let the speculation begin! (the above is based upon today's Kato USA email newsletter, which I'm sure many others on the forum received)
AC4400CWs in Southern Pacific. If that happens I'll buy a bunch of their new shirts and wear nothing but Kato shirts for a month!
Probably more F7s, hopefully they will restock the shells in their parts department too. As far as new tooling, my guess would be either E6s or E7s, as Kato is big on passenger equipment. An SDP45 would be quite awesome.
Broadway Limited Imports had E-6 and E-7 locomotives that come with dcc decoders and sound installed in the basic model. It seems to me that Kato needs to offer all their new locomotives with dc/dcc dual mode as Bachmann has for a few years. I like the Kato locomotives, but have paid extra to get dcc decoders installed in all of the ones I own; have dcc with sound in 3 of them.
I have some of the decoder equipped Broadway locomotives. I still prefer Kato ones where I install my own decoders. Sound does not float my boat. My thinking was that if Kato released more different models of Es for themselves they would produce passenger trains to go with them. For me it is all about passenger trains. All else is just scenery for them to run through.
SDP45?...seriously?.... Russell, didn't you got to the convention?...some seem pretty dogmatic that Kato leaked an SDP45...can that be confirmed? (difficult to imagine them getting much bang for their buck out of that one....)... I imagine that a GP 50 retool would be well received ( if I'm not mistaken that was one of Kato's very first US prototype release as a solely 'Kato' unit)... an E3/E6 would have SERIOUS 'legs' as far as roadnames and paint schemes... ...but an SDP45?... I can't imagine being more 'under whelmed'.... ~Bruce
If true, it would seem as though this is a pretty small possible market. Definitely a unique attempt, but potential for sales?
all 'under whelming' aside on my part...I would have to respect them releasing what I would consider a more obscure locomotive...but, the GG1, the FEF3, the Genesis, and a few others would fall into this category as well... Bruce
I have a difficult time believing Kato would do the SDP45, but, just for the sake of argument, these are the roads I could see for that model- GN big sky blue, BN green and black, Southern Pacific, EL regular, EL red white blue, Conrail, Wisconsin Central and SPSF kodachrome. Please add to this list or correct any of my errors, thanks.
Oh I hope not, I don't want to pay an extra $100 for sound and dcc when I can save $70 by installing the dcc decoder myself and I don't need sound.
The real question is what are the odds of ever seeing a Santa Fe yellowbonnet B-unit along side a CR (ex-EL) patch job SDP45?
The funny thing is that Kato really gives no hints like the other manufacturers do. So no telling what will come.