Kato USA Web-Poll (February 2019)

501 Feb 19, 2019

  1. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    Can you imagine Model Railroader or Railroad Model Craftsman publishing a series of trackplans for layouts designed to fit on the roll-around over-bed table of the type on which your food tray is placed?

    Also, before you commit yourself to an assisted living situation, consider that it might be cheaper to live long-term in a Holiday Inn:
    https://wtkr.com/2019/02/25/man-plans-to-ditch-nursing-home-for-holiday-inn/
     
  2. Maletrain

    Maletrain TrainBoard Member

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    Seriously, the issue is medical care in the location of residence. Assuming that you have your mental faculties functioning adequately, it is probably cheaper to remain in your home and have caregivers come help, as needed.
     
  3. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Let's swap war stories. I've worked in a hospital, assistive living facility and yes it would be cheaper to stay in your home and have home care nursing. With family around and the help they can provide. Yes, it's a far better thing.

    A friend of mine spotted a model railroad in a brief case. Could be done! Hey, Kato what can you do that would fit in a brief case? Ok, I want wider curves then that so how about a suitcase?:whistle::unsure::sneaky::sick:

    We haven't strayed from the original topic...have we? :X3:;):cool:
     
  4. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Really, really tough decision for a Milwaukee Road fan!!
    Like trying to pick which one of your kids is your favorite!!
    Little Joes would be ideal since the only ones available were a very limited run of brass that usually will run you big bucks nowadays, even if you can track one down.
    Somebody scratchbuilt a few Bi-Polars from the Del Prado plastic display models from Europe, and they went for over $200.
    Tough choice, but I went with the Little Joe.:rolleyes:
     
    BNSF FAN likes this.
  5. silentargus

    silentargus TrainBoard Member

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    Hate to be "that guy," but I have to throw my hat in with the Big Boy. Athearn's offering was just too rich for my blood... and Kato is one of too few manufacturers still offering DC-only as an option. Theirs is likely to come in $200 cheaper than the competition, so I'll finally be able to find an excuse to add one to my collection of preserved steam.

    Also... some of the tooling for that model is already done, since 4014's tender is going to be essentially identical to 844's once the overhaul is finished. Always a bonus to shave some $$$ off the development cost.

    Would still have liked to see some Eastern steam make an appearance, but Kato's made it pretty clear that they're not interested in doing that. Not since they broke up with Con-Cor, anyway.
     
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  6. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Also... the Athearn models are available in oil or coal tenders. I have few of them (3-4) including the 4014. The first batch may have had some bad performers... later batch seemed better. Because I already have the 4014... and that is one Kato would likely make... I would graciously pass on it.


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  7. WM183

    WM183 TrainBoard Member

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    We've been spoiled, and yet there is still no good light 2-8-2 or light or heavy 4-6-2 currently in production - or ever, really. There are no 0-8-0s, no heavy 2-10-2 or 2-10-0.

    I am imagining diesel fans going without GP-38s, GP and SD 40s, U-boats, and any Alco cab units. Let's not kid anyone; the light mike and pacific were very much the GP/SD40 of their day.

    Would they be spoiled for choice?
     
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  8. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    The transition era diesels are fairly available... though many switchers and roadswitcher models continue to be unavailable. This mainly due to low production quantities of the prototype and not representing enough of the most popular class 1 roads.

    With steam locos the matter is exascerbated by the different drivers, valve gear, boiler circumference and length, firebox type, cab size, tender size and type (coal or oil). It becomes difficult for any manufacturer to depart from standard USRA designs.

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  9. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thought I would revive this Kato poll thread now that the Twentieth Century Limited (TCL) set was announced as a 2020 release... AND... the nowhere near as popular CNW 400 commuter set is going to be produced later this year.

    If my recollection is accurate... the TCL had the top vote total of all the choices... while the CNW 400 was dead last.

    This poll should have demoted the CNW set and moved the TCL to this year at the very least. It just seems this poll was a 'teaser' to raise our hopes.

    While I know many are happy with the announcement of the Big Boy. A J3a Hudson would have made more sense too. It would help sell TCL sets and would be a good base for other 4-6-4 class models (like a Baltic).

    Meanwhile... no NCL in sight for at least 2 years... ugh!!!

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  10. Maletrain

    Maletrain TrainBoard Member

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    I guess Kato's manufacturing decisions are driven more by what Kato's bosses like best, rather than by marketing considerations in the U.S. Most folks here can't run Big Boys on their layouts. And, even if they can, they are not going to buy a lot of them. On the other hand, Mikados, Pacifics, and even Consolidations and Ten Wheelers sell like hotcakes in the U.S., because they fit so many more layouts. Better yet from a manufacturer's point of view, even people with small layouts can buy two Mikes or Connies, or even Pacifics, and run them double-headed on steep grades, which probably more than equals the price of one Big Boy of similar quality. But, alas, they don't seem to care about that in Japan.
     
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  11. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Agreed Maletrain, no way a 4-8-8-4 would look remotely credible on my pike. I'll bet though that Kato's Big Boy production will be limited, priced accordingly and will sell out. Heck, there'll be folks who will hoard them for eventual resale and take out a home equity loan to do it. o_O
     
  12. Atlas 080

    Atlas 080 TrainBoard Member

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    Loran rail grinder. Any MOW would be welcome. All railroads need MOW vehicles.
     
  13. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    I never really gave the MOW equipment a second thought because I figure that most model railroaders are looking at running trains in long consists (specially N scale) or do switching run among industries. The MOW equipment I typically see is relatively static and more-so background points of interest. I would expect the Loran rail grinder could be done by a specialty provider of N scale models... probably unpowered 3D printed kit.

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  14. Southern 630

    Southern 630 New Member

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    Kato is doing the Big Boy? I saw the Athearn announcement, but didn't see one from Kato.
     
  15. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes... Kato announced it for 2020 at the N Scale Collector Convention about 3 weeks ago in Chicago.

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    Southern 630 likes this.
  16. NorsemanJack

    NorsemanJack TrainBoard Member

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    I believe that it was this Kato poll thread that many of you are referring to:

    https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/another-kato-poll.116775/

    That poll was heavily flawed. In the spirit of Chicago politics, many figured out that "they" could vote early and often with some very simple web browser manipulation. I'm not saying that TCL wasn't the winner in a legit "election," I'm just sayin'...

    That said, I believe that Kato's decisions make a great deal of sense from a business perspective (and if Kato doesn't make good business decisions, we might not get anything new from them before too long). The TCL is an iconic train that ran through heavily populated areas. I don't believe the Hill lines options received a fair shake, as many of us would voted "any of the above" if the above were the TCZ, NCL and EB. I don't read much of anything into the CNW 400 announcement. I think many of us assumed that the "400" poll option referred to an earlier single level train and not the glorified commuter train that is coming out. Regardless, the upcoming release is mostly "free" tooling (since they already have the E8 and are coming out with the bi-level commuter cars in other "roads.") Also, a small bookcase train set such as this will likely draw in marginal modelers who will enjoy setting up a loop on a folding table or perhaps under the Christmas tree.

    I'll be the contrarian on the Big-Boy. I think they will sell significant quantities of these, perhaps worldwide. I don't have a large (or even permanent) layout, and I'm not really a UP modeler. That said, I'll be right there near the front of the line. (y)
     
  17. Atlas 080

    Atlas 080 TrainBoard Member

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    Running realistic operations can be more interesting when having maintenance on a mainline. Scheduling around an operating rail grinder adds interest and realism.
    I tried to quote you Calzephyr but it didn't work. Sorry
     
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  18. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    No problem... I totally get the MOW request and there would be interest for the Loran. It just seems more of a point of interest that would create some operating interest similar to having a work train hauling a crane... or a snow plow/flanger being pushed ahead of a consist.

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  19. jpwisc

    jpwisc TrainBoard Member

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    There will be some great 3D printed MOW pieces becoming available very soon. I was shown images today of a GREX train as well as a CP MOW train. The new UP one won’t be far behind.
     
  20. jpwisc

    jpwisc TrainBoard Member

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    I agree, MOW is under modeled and definitely adds to ops.
     

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