As a modern UP modeler, that's tough. I can use both a Big Boy and a Centennial (Big advantage of modeling modern UP is that you can still run those locos ). I voted for the 4014 in hopes Kato can do a better job than Athearn (in terms of mechanism, for sure; in terms of body detail...we'll see...). I wouldn't complain if Kato did a Centennial though. Anyone can do a better job than Bachmann.
Tough choice. I'd buy any of those except the railgrinder. I don't think any of their poll winners have actually been produced.
I would vote for the first three. I enjoy locos that are different, unique, historical. Nothing in my basic modelling would use any of those locos or roads but I would enjoy pulling them out and running them once in a while.
Nothing I can use on my line. The MILW modelers should be happy, of course Kato could put out a MILW 261...
I've already voted for the Little Joe. I'd like to see it in the last Milwaukee orange and black paint scheme. Like the poll says, just to gauge interest, but the Little Joe and bi-polar would go nicely with the Hiawatha trainset Kato just released.
Already have the brass Bi-Polar, just have to get it painted, so the choice is easy for me. Definitely Little Joes, but then there is the 3D printers who are already ahead of Kato on this one. I bet you at least have a display case somewhere to keep them in and look wistfully at them from time to time,
I would take a Little Joe in a New York Second because they're the most beautiful Juice Jack made. Sorry, you GG-1 fans, but that's just me. I missed out on a brass New Haven EP4 back in 1960 because I was just out of service and no money. OK, the B&M never ran EP4s through the Hoosac Tunnel. Though they did run the previous generation GE boxcabs. So why not upgrade to Little Joes because they decided to keep running steam until 1960 like the N&W.
This. A proper light mikado with details and bits for Nickel Plate, B&O, NYC, and the dozens of other roads that ran them. It would be trivial to offer B&O Q3 and Q4 versions, even. I certainly don't need a Big Boy. A close 2nd would be a non USRA 4-8-2 model; A B&O T4, NYC Mohawk (Please dear God someday) or one of the big Mountain types run out west would also be very welcome. Of the given choices, the MILW Electrics, I think! Just because they're unique and the Big Boy and DD40 - thing have been done in N, I believe?
I'm going to go out on a limb and say Kato wouldn't do that. Thankfully. Now if Kato would make an E33, E40, or an E44 in PC and/or CR, I'd have to come up with a reason to have them on my PRR Lines West themed layout. And so you all know, my vote is for sale as there's nothing there of interest for me.
I believe the 20th Century Limited won the last poll and has been announced for production. I could see them releasing the Big Boy as it is likely to receive a lot of press when the real one again hits the rails.
I voted for the Loram Rail Grinder. As far as I know one does not exist in model form and as far as Kato goes it would be a well detailed model.
Ahhh, this makes perfect sense. Kato loves UP, and the Big Boy running again will no doubt cause interest to spike.