My interest is in US prototype steam locomotives. Kato Japan has released some smaller Japanese prototype steam. I would like for them to produce a 2-8-0 with all the current dcc and sound feature we now find in n-scale.
I'd definitely agree with a new run of the GP50, especially if they did a high short hood version. Actually, high short hood versions of the SD40 and SD40-2 would be nice too. Eastern road F-units with the correct pilots (single headlight/straight pilot for PRR). E6s and E7s would be nice too. An F59PH for commuter service. Adrian
How about a Fairbanks Morse switcher in NKP. I worked as a fireman on one many times in the summers of 64,65,66. What interesting machine and so different in performance sound and look form the EMDs, Alcos, and Baldwins. Jack S
Yes, it's been a LONG time and they rarely show up used. Glad I got a pair of SPs but could use another plus one in each of the EMD demo schemes.
Of course you all know that if Kato were to undertake this wish list it would be thirty to nigh on forty, and maybe even fifty years before that last loco and cars on the list roll out. If for some reason I am still around I doubt that I will even be able to see them much less have enough left to recognize then for what they are.
There, their, they're.... I'm always ok with more F units, and a re-tooled single headlight F unit would be welcome along with other 4 axle units. Gas Turbine?...wow!...I'd buy one! E7s!!!!....these would be sure winners on an already great mechanism. Not in my top five wishes, but I'd still buy one, would be a 20th Century streamliner ( I like kato doing classic American streamliners!) And, of course, another steam classic, an ATSF 4-8-4!!! ~Bruce
Yes, this. I think if I could pick ONE loco from Kato it would be the SW1. But outside of that an "early" UP SD70M or ATSF/BNSF SD75M/I would be high on the list. While the GP50 is very high on my list, I think we'll see it from Atlas or FVM soon. It doesn't fit great into Kato's recent m.o. So to the o.p.'s point, I just don't see it happening. The F40PH has been the rare exception of late and that is mostly due to fitting into their Amtrak line. (and I guess similarly the MP30?whatever) And also to the point of....Kato would do a new GP50 and it would be 20 years before I got a BN out of them, versus FVM or Atlas getting to them in a much shorter time period. We're not getting any younger. ;-) Otherwise, my Kato wish list would include an MRL SD40, a Phase IV F40PH, an Amtrak Phase III/IV Cabbage, and a whiteface BN C30-7. And heck I'll throw in an MKT NW2 as well for good measure. (it's a museum piece in Wichita Falls, adjacent to the BNSF mainline I will eventually/hopefully model)
I've set here reading everyone's responses and it's high time I throw in. From Kato and not Bachmann. AT&SF, 4-8-4 Northern with the correct tender tied in behind for the 3000 class locomotive. They can do the same for the 5000 class locomotive which is a Northern but has the longer tender. AT&SF 4-8-2 Mountain and the 2-10-4 Texas Type.:droll: Now........ you know how to make an aging not so graciously senior happy. I'd find a way to buy all of them.hboy:
Speaking of Northerns I'd like to see one of NP's Northern's or a NP Z class Challenger. Do I need one? No. Do I think they are cool? Yes.
I have several scale speed motored locomotives that can not go faster than 20 scale MPH. Dash-8 locomotives do run faster than 20 scale MPH. Not all motors are that great. Remember the Bell curve? With no QA checking even dead motors get shipped. So how does a 20 SMPH motor at full DC throttle get up to 50 or 60 scale MPH? It can't. With a Kato locomotive on DCC it is easy top end it at scale speeds, even the ones that are slower (on the bad side of the bell curve). And if you use a speed table with trim and adjust the momentum and BEMF, you can have outstanding running at all speeds. Trim values are typically 30-40 which is 30/128 to 40/128 which means the motor is running at much than less full speed. With some of the slower fast speed locomotives, these values climb to between 80/128 and 90/128, but now it is at the same speed as the faster locomotive that were reduced above. Now take the 20 SMPH motor locomotive and give it 100% power and it still will only go 20 SMPH. This becomes either a yard queen or a $30 expense for a new motor. As with many things it is easier to mange too much than it is to manage too little.
