I have just one standard any model manufacturer must meet. " If I don't like it I don't buy it" That's all.
Kato Gevo: molded on grabs wrong horn (remember theirs is only the ES44AC, the DC version is the one with the low headlight in back [except for NS, but NS is wierd that way]) FVM Gevo: since i always add grab irons i'm used to the extra work, but not having to cut off molded on ones is easier they messed up the BNSF paint in both H2, and H3 colors. but the rest are great their ditch lights barely light up as well which is really annoying, and a killer for me I hope they do a better job on the ditch lights and H2 paint on the GP60M's which should be out soon!
Maybe ConCor will drag out the old molds of the SD50 and paint them up in the heritage colors. Being prototypically correct never stopped them before...
I keep hoping to see Kato or some one release the SD70ACe's. As for the Gevo's I think since FVM has already staked that claim as has Overland, Kato will pass on the NS heritage Gevo's. What I hope to see is FVM do the SD70's and fix the issues from the Gevo's, with a brighter light and better ditchlights (same could be said about the FVM Gevos too). Either way, as modelers, we win!
Has anyone heard of when Fox Valley is coming out with the these GEVOs? Emailed Fox Valley, but no repley.
On Facebook, Matt posted the oringinal NS red scheme & the gray engine that has the big red M on the front. I'm still waiting for my NS in primer.
Over on the Model Railroad News site under the Trainfest Announcements, they are showing a "Top Secret" announcement poster from Kato. Its a blurred picture of the NYC, IT, and Erie Heritage ACEs... Coming in 2013.
Scott, I think this link will work: http://www.modelrailroadnews.com/PDF/Trainfest_2012_Kato_Top-Secret.pdf
I reserved the CR heritage unit the other day, although I have no idea when it will be in... excited nonetheless
I thought I'd revive this thread by asking am I the only one who has seen the pre-production Kato NS heritage units? They look very nice for pre-production shells and also FVM has announced they will have NS specific details on their EMD heritage units.
I got my first batch of Kato NS Heritage units and I must say some of them have sucky paint jobs. The real sucky one is the Virginian. Dam I hope Fox Valley does a better job.
I had 7 of the Kato units pre-ordered (including Virginian), but then switched those orders to FVM when they announced. Why? 1. I have FVM GEVOs which I really like and the ACe's should run well together with the GEVOs without extensive DCC programming; 2. FVM's DCC conversion system (a 6-pin Euro connector) is a far superior DCC alternative to having to completely replace the board, which you'll have to do with Kato; 3. I like the idea of supporting a smallish US company (not to denigrate what Kato has meant to the US N scale modeler, but competition is healthy, and I would like to see FVM succeed in its competition). If FVM's paint turns out to be better, great! John C.
You know I have read a few comments about the paint jobs... Can anyone post pics of these "horrible" paint jobs???
My Erie unit has 2 different color yellow handrails. So obvious. How it got by QC is beyond me. I will say they nailed the headlight color. Not golden & not light blue. Just right.
The Kato units have mediocre paint and finish. I ended up sending them all back. Here is hoping FVM does a better job! At least I am not the only one that finds the Virginian paint to be bad........
Can you be more specific? The photos of the units on the site of that on-line dealer in MD don't look that bad.
Photos can tell a different story than reality. NS Thoroughbred has pale pastel yellow on the handrails, Here is what this unit is supposed to look like: http://www.nsdash9.com/images/NS1000ke1.jpg Here is the Kato Version: http://www.katousa.com/N/SD70ACe/176-8506.jpg On all the other roads they did a better job on the hand rails. http://www.katousa.com/N/SD70ACe/176-8506.jpg This is Kato inconsistency with finish on these. The yellows are all the same color on all of the models. So the Virginian yellow is the same yellow is the yellow on the Interstate. This follows other Kato painting issues where they use the same yellow for UP and ATSF on the SD40's, C30-7 and Uboats. They did that same thing here instead of using the right shades of color. FVM will do a much better job. The one thing they did fix, they dumped the orange light tubes. Minor victory at best.....
