Well, at least you didn't invest thousands of dollars for the Railway Classics brass cars.... If Kato is doing the Olympian Hiawatha with the FP-7s and the super domes that would date the train for 1952-1957 . The Olympian Hi had the 8 section sleeper skytops so don't expect to see the "Rapids" parlor skytops When the FP7s arrived one the scene, the big FMs were removed from the Olympian Hiawatha. The super dome cars also replaced the tap lounge cars on the train so if you have kits for the tap lounge cars I'd keep them . I am modeling the train from 1947-1949 so I get to use the chrome nose FMs and all the other neat cars like the coach touralux cars like the Crystal Falls. Randy
The Kato poster does indicate that it will be the post 1952 version. Also, the photo of the FP7 on the poster shows it paired with an FM loco.
I think that was a poor photo choice by Kato. It illustrates the FP7 but the FM Erie Built B unit will just confuse people. Also I don't believe that train is the Olympian. It looks more like The Souix or MidWest Hi to me.
A Kato employee has admitted there has been some confusing info in this pre-announcement...... but has assured everyone they know this. So for now, I will assume they will indeed make an accurate train. Looking forward to more info from them in the future.
Perhaps this is a better representation of the version of the FP7 we should expect to see: http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr0201/mil92c.jpg
When I was a kid, we used to take the Hiawatha from Montana to Chicago. Of course Joes were the power to Harlowtown, and FP-7's were at the head end to Chicago. Don't remember the FM's as I was a bit young when the FM's were used. We also took the North Coast Limited to Chicago also. I had relatives working for both the MILW and the NP and we always rode first class. I can remember the sky top lounge coming into service. I also had the opportunity to have ridden in the cabs oh the Milwaukee Road electrics when I was growing up. Made it from one end of the electrified division from Harlowtown to Avery, but never at the head end of a passenger train, always freights. Guess I am showing my age. I can also remember the introduction of the Lowey paint scheme on the North Coast Limited.
I really love passenger trains, so I am a bit flummoxed by this announcement. I am not sure if I will or won't buy one. But it is definitely nice to see another named train come out. Hey Kato, if you also announce the IC City of New Orleans, plan to have a sound car that plays the Arlo Guthrie song while running, well count both of them sold! I am willing to pony up funds to keep all passenger trains coming!
<nit> The song is by Steve Goodman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Goodman) , Arlo Guthrie just did a (very nice) cover of it. </nit>
Keep them rollin, rollin, oh wait that's rawhide. Keep them coming. I never had a chance to ride any of them so I ride them in my imagination as the trundle along my layout. Born at the wrong time.
I've got the IMRC FP7'S already... but a previous post mentioned the 6th version of the Cal Zephyr... so I would get WP FP7'S if offered at that time. Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk
I'm a solid buy for the FP-7. I did not buy any IM F units as to me, they sit too high. Kato will do it right.
Nice train. I will very likely be a buyer, although I am still hoping for that NCL. Btw: I think the NCL also used FP7 units at times.
I did not want to be the first to mention the NCL... Thanks Norseman Jack for breaking the ice that we still are wanting one from Kato. Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk
The issue about whether or not the NP ever used an FP7 on the NCL has been debated on another forum. To date, the answer appeared to be 'no' pending someone finding (and posting) a photo of 6600 or 6601 on the NCL.
