I spoke to the Kato rep at the Portland WGH show and he told me that a steam loco was coming. He went on to say that Kato Japan had a new coreless motor they were using and that they were pushing Kato USA to put the motor in a new model for the states. I don't follow the Japanese models so I don't know what they are using for motors...anyone else know? Will be interesting to see none the less.
I sure hope they make them with the modern excursion cars, the Zepher set doesn't do anything for me.
You wouldn't be the only one with those sentimets, while I'm not knocking the Zephyr I'm sure the FEF with or without the excursion cars would appeal to much greater numbers of modellers. Strange that when the Kato rep was asked what was coming he didn't mention the Zephyr but instead said we were getting an FEF, it would be nice to think we still are.
Kato are doing a new steamer, just not an FEF. At the top of this blog are some photos of the mechanism of the C56 2-6-0 that should be out in October to give an idea of the motor Kato is currently using in their Japanese steam. http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~toyoyasu/m120818.htm
I was refering to the Japanese C56. Since the GS4 they've completley retooled the Japanese 2-8-2 and 4-6-4 (twice) and are now bringing out a new 2-6-0 so Kato have been, and are, bringing out plenty of steam, just not the American variety.
I believe we are all talking about Kato USA in this thread, we dont really care about what they come out with in japanese engines. Unless of course they are a good candadate for kitbashing. Trust me there is a very exciting development by kato for "American" steam.
And without the Japanese and European models, there would be NO Kato USA. Just because you don't care what they are doing for the Japanese or European markets doesn't mean the rest of us are not. I've been to their "factory outlet store" in Tokyo, and needless to say, the number of N scale cabinets with US stuff compared to Japanese or European prototypes is tiny, I'd say for every 1 US prototype item they make, there is atleast 7 Japanese or European.
...........and I'm afraid if they keep getting "bad mouthed" and denigrated on these forums like they have, that number may shrink even further!! Something to think about.............
Yup. If anyone complains about the paint, paint it yourself. I for one love Kato and my opinion is that they are of the highest quality and the number one n scale maker in steam no doubt.
Ditto! However, perhaps a reminder is needed. Rumors are just rumors, lacking substance until we see the final product sitting on the shelf and ready to run. Then we get to critique it.:closedmouth:
Many model railroaders and railfans need to broaden their horizons a bit, if I took the same attitude I wouldn't care about anything other than Australian steam and thus wouldn't model anything at all. My main steam era modelling is JNR in the 1960's as I can get good RTR models of all the main classes of steam that existed at that time whereas ATSF steam = zero. I was merely pointing out that Kato have the technological knowhow to produce good steam and the fact that they have done so many Japanese engines lately shows where their main market lies. Kato USA, don't forget is just a sideshow operation to Kato, their monthly Japanese prototype releases often exceed the US prototype releases for the whole year. Back on topic, hopefully the head man at Kato in Japan will take a liking to the FEF and we'll get one eventually.
Hopefully Kato has all thier production in house. If not with the current bruhaha going on between China and Japan over trade and manufacturing any current projects depending on Chinese made parts could significantly put a damper on any new potential releases for awhile.
Oh no Kato is using Kader made parts? Might as well start a rumor...right? On the paint scheme thing. Just once, once, not twice, once I'd like to see some manufacturer get it right with the paint scheme. Of course then we'd all have to agree and I don't think that will happen any time soon. On the FEF thing, a UP Northern, 4-8-4 in the Greyhound and Elephant ears scheme would be the cat's meow. I was also hoping Kato would put out a Santa Fe Northern, 4-8-4 with both the short and long tenders. We don't need another B-mann model.
Now that the UP 844 is touring the system for their 150 year celebration could we be getting closer to Kato announcing the F-E-F and even the excursion cars?