The mike mechanisms on Kato are sold out. I was hoping to get my hands on one without having to buy the entire locomotive. Does anyone have one on hand they would be willing to let go? I'm in need of one for another SP project.
That is cheaper than the Kato Parts price for a mechanism, plus you get a complete locomotive. Jerry Geisert ***** A reminder: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=106711 Best if you just email or PM the information.
I want to encourage anyone who is, or could be interested in the Mike at some point down the road to send Kato your request for another production run of this iconic model. I dont believe the world has seen enough of these models yet and I frequently see them going above MSRP on eBay. To me, that's a sign that another production run is still very much profitable.
I see pretty good prices on eBay sometimes (<$80) for whole locomotives. I got one with a DCC conversion for less than $100. If you do go that route, I could use a silver/graphite smokebox and firebox from a second run "Mike" and would be glad to take those off your hands. Andy Tetsu Uma
And, we need to encourage another run of traction drivers for those of us who have bought 1st runs on eBay, that hadn't been converted!
Just wait, theres word of another mfg coming out with mikados! And if i might add, railroad specific?
I hope not!! Though I did just say another run of Mikado's from Kato would be profitable... I dont see how it makes any sense for a DIFFERENT manufacturer to put out ANOTHER version of this already copied model. Especially when there's virtually no benefit anyone could add to a design that is already the pinnacle of N Scale steam. How about we tell that other manufacturer to just let Kato re-make the Mikado so they can focus on a NEW Steamer! One that is much more needed/wanted in N scale than something that has already been produced time and time again and already has an excellent design.
Mark, You beat me to it!!!! Someone else doing the Mikado would be pointless. I have many many steamers. They vary in reliability. Some are as good as the Kato Mikado, but none are better. Marty Note to other complany: Build me a reliable 4-4-0. And while your at it team up with MTL and do a Christmas livery with passenger cars!
Thanks to everyone with the inputs and PM's. I'll soon have one thanks to Jhn_plsn. I'll soon be able to begin my Southern Pacific B-1 project. I'll post pics with the progress once I get all the pieces in the next few weeks.
Well, the N-SCALE community voted for it is what i was told. It was #2 on the list behind the 3751 class santa fe northern. They are going for railroad specific prototypes which i DO see a market for as theres too many people that BUY the model instead of BUILD like i have to do. I was ticked to learn that they werent going to do the northern since ive been building mine off of GS4 chassis' for years.
I never received a ballot. Did anyone else? I've been trying to get as much input for my own polls of what N Scale's next Steamer should to be.. [Vote Now!!] N Scale's Next Steam Engine Though we dont have many voters (yet), the Mikado hasn't received a single mention, and the only Northern was the UP FEF version. (3751 already exists in N Scale too by the way) I'd go as far as to wager that even though we have small amount of input, the results are still pretty accurate to the true N-Scale community. (The polite way of saying I think you were told wrong)
But Mark... If the Mikado is such a hot item...it would make good business (read: $$$$) sense to attempt it. What IF another manufacture CAN build it better ? Whats that old saying... "Build a better mouse trap and the world will beat a path to your door" :tb-wink: .
I think the USRA locos have been beat pretty hard. If we could see more road specific models, I would be willing to purchase. I've had to kitbash most of mine, those that I havn't been able to aquire in brass. Luckily, SP has an extensive brass collection that covers their prototypes. With the heyday of brass behind us in the N scale world, the manufacturers should look to some smaller runs to cover the road specific locos. They would be more expensive, but I think the end result would be worth it. Athearn, Atlas, IM, are you listening? Athearn, shrink your HO MT-4 to a more reasonable N scale size.
Mark, I was NOT told wrong as this is from the horses mouth and for YOUR information, the UP FEF has ALSO been produced and in 3 series. Thanks for the history lesson. If you look at the history of whats been produced, youll see that theres a reason why the SD40 and GP7 and diesels like that are STILL produced time and time again while us steam guys have a few mechanisms to build off so we can make the things that are not produced. They are here to do what you do while at work, make money and those models still rake it in. We should be glad another mfg will be producing a more specific model and not some USRA poo that most modelers except unchanged. For us that want realism, this is another model for us to bash into our prototypes. Dont get me wrong, id love to see an FEF and Santa fe Northern produced so i dont have to keep chopping up $125 GS4 mechanisms plus the $$ to build the rest of the locomotive or buy more brass!!! And i asked unsaid mfg when this supposed poll was taken and it was on their site and taken at shows they attended. Adam PS just call colorado for the information.
Physically, there are few differences between the 37##class 4-8-4 and the 2900 class northerns. The 2900 class was the same 4-8-4 made out of a different metal that was in turn heavier so physically, there are few differences.
The 3751 class had a smaller tender with three axle trucks, the sand pipes were exposed, there was an air pump on the pilot. Compairing a 3751 class to a 2900 class is like compairing a 1965 Mustang to a 1971 Mustang. the 1965 was the origional and the 1971 was a more refined, bloated car. Both steamers pulled the Cheif, both Mustangs were driven by James Bond. P refeer the lighter, sportier, un-refined model
My apologies. My initial impression was this was hear-say, not direct. I also stand corrected on 3751, the Bachmann Santa Fe Northern is #3780. But point in case, 3751 has a very close match available. And I do know the FEF is available in Brass, but I dont consider brass to be a possible option to the average modeler. I still think putting the time and money into producing yet another copy of the Mikado is a horrible idea. I'm all for the idea of road specific details, but for a Mikado, when the Kato model is already held as the pinnacle of N scale steam, just release a conversion kit like GHQ does and save the resources of constructing a new mechanism for a more unique option.
