New Kato releases

I had never heard of a "Goldbonnet" before today:

http://www.katousa.com/N/PA/index.html
From the web artwork, it doesn't appear that Kato is planning to tool the high center mounted number boards for any of the ATSF PA units.

I'll likely give one of these a try, since I'm DC and use the Kato Sound Boxes:

http://www.katousa.com/N/Unitrack/Smartcon.html



They also firmed up the details on the upcoming El Capitan release. Unlike next year's Super Chief re-release, it looks like the El Cap will have all new numbering on the cars.

At least the China factory concerns aren't slowing down Kato.

 

What the heck is the last Kato item? The Smart Device Controller?
Gonna Google it in a moment and see. Looks interesting!

 

I included the link and it was also discussed on a recent thread on DC wireless throttles. It is apparently a Bluetooth wireless device that uses an app on your smartphone to make your smartphone a wireless throttle (either with or without the Kato Sound Box). Those who are DCC centric will likely have little interest.

 

Good for the SF modelers, I could use another Empire builder set though, or a CB&Q train.

 

fixed

 

Even better.

 

The gold bonnet is pretty cool.






Apparently there was a matching train but no pictures of it seem to exist.

 

Wonder if that proto gold bonnet scheme might've looked better if they made/kept the cigar band yellow along with the bonnet outline. Seems kind of like it's missing something to me. Kind of drab...nothing pops.

 

This unusual scheme was for a special event and was not used otherwise in regular service. PA No. 53 appeared in this scheme in early 1960, but as it was a short lived one-off, and not photographed a lot, it gets scant coverage in books. It is shown in the book Warbonnets by Dan Pope and Mark Lynn, published by Pentrex. In a color photo made on Feb. 13, 1960, it is noted as a special paint job for a special train for General Electric. It is not indicated if an entire train was so painted, and I know of no photos of anything else aside from this lone A unit. I remember reading that this was to commemorate an important anniversary of the company.

So in other words, this might make something that would look good on a display shelf, but is otherwise of little use.

 

You have to play the 007 Gold Finger theme song when you are running it. Hmmm...can you download theme songs on to a Loksound decoder as a sound file?

 

Bluetooth control is really catching on. There is the MRC WiThrottle, the Bachmann version, I think some other companies do it too, and now KATO has one. I think it is a great idea. Now I don't have to buy $200 wireless throttles, but I just hope their connectivity improves. The WiThrottle system my club uses can be kind of sketchy, especially with a lot of phones connected.

 

Lets not forget the Operation North Pole set. It's a model of the 2017 train. They still have the 2015 and 2016 trains listed too but I dont know how long they will be still available.

http://www.katousa.com/N/ONP/index.html

 

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not the same thing...
the MRC system is Wi-Fi
The Bachmann throttle is bluetooth,
As is the new-ish Kato system...

 

In February of 1960, one PA along with a baggage car and three lounge cars were painted gold for GEs "Golden Values" promotion campaign in Southern California. The train ran between Los Angeles, Pasadena, San Bernardino, Fullerton and San Diego. Then the locomotive and the four cars were returned to their normal paint schemes.

 

Thanks for that info Jeff. I'm sure somebody will paint up some matching cars. Should be interesting.

 

As much as I love PA's and ATSF, I just can not see getting the Gold 53. I am in on the new Warbonnet PA's though

 

If you see a stock of the Sunrise cab mounted numberboards somewhere, grab 'em!!