Availability of Kato phase IV Superliner cars

My local hobby shop was sold out within 2 weeks of their release and I missed out as well. He told me to wait for the second release so I assume that there will be one. No word from Kato on that though.

Russ

 

Try having your LHS call Kato USA to verify that Kato is sold out of them.

 

I now work in the InternetTrains.com warehouse and I think we still have a set though I could be wrong. I know there are P42's left but the Superliners and material handling cars went pretty fast at every shop I think. If you would like I could check tomorrow while I'm at work.

www.internettrains.com

 

I believe Long's still have some. I was there last week and I think I saw about 5 sets.

 

I checked our inventory of Kato Amtrak items today at work and all we have are P42's and material handling cars. We can still get phase 3, but I know your really after the phase IV. Wish we could help.

Ebay might be your best shot at this point.

 

If Long's can't help you I know that my local shop has at least one set of PH4 cars. Contact Doug at mrshobby@aol.com I was just in there today 10/23 and saw a set.

2slim

 

Paul,
Sorry, I didn't look. I got mine at a train show a few months ago, both sets of Ph3 cars for $140. I thought that was pretty good, so I grabbed them! I'm sure if you email them they can answer that plus other questions for you.

2slim

 

Try National Capitol Trains in Springfield VA. I seem to recall seeing sets at the Timinioum Show.

Hope this helps,

Jerry

 

When I was there a few weeks ago, this place had about three sets, both A and B. I don't know if they ship, but you might try giving them a call. Last check, 99.00 a set.

Arizona Trains & Hobbies
2420 N. Treat
Tucson, AZ 85716
520-327-4000

Arizona Trains & Hobbies

Email: aztrains@earthlink.net

Hope this helps.

[ 17. November 2002, 04:19: Message edited by: Benny ]

 

I am somewhat amazed at the intense interest in the Phase IV paint schemes.... the Phase III "should" have been the more popular as it is useful for a longer time span than the Phase IV.
Does this mean that modern modelers are modeling "today" or have not developed a wider interest in the prototype....
or is it just that the Phase IV scheme is prettier?
Just curious, I model 1955.....
Charlie

 

I personally went with the Phase IV because I prefer it's appearance over the Phase III. I also noticed a 4 car set of Phase IV's went for $102.50 on ebay yesterday.

 

I doubt it.
Kato has high production minimums (I know that nobody will believe it, but it is true...)
and a "rerun" to satisfy a demand for maybe 200-300 sets of the original release isn't possible.
With all the new "stuff" coming out distributors, local hobby shops, and most customers aren't interested in more of the same, even when it has different road numbers or road names.... at least not enough of them to sell through another production run in a reasonable time.
Some reruns have to wait 4-5 years or more to the point that the item has been gone long enough to be treated as a new item when it returns.... unless you have a flexible factory that can hande short, more frequent runs.
Charlie

 

Hemlock jct,my lhs,has like 5 sets of phase4.Look in the back of MR in the dealer directory for his E mail adress.He's located in Milton Ontario,Canada.
They are priced at around 125 dollars a set.That's Canadian,so I guess that would be around 100 bucks american.I know he does mail order across Canada,so I assume he can send stuff to the states too.