The problem with that diner is that it is based on a 1938 prototype, not the later California Zephyr diner with the earlier Budd corrugation... so it does not pass muster. None of the three diners built in '38 went on to serve on Amtrak.
AT&SF 4-8-4 N0rthern https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Fe_3751#/media/File:ATSF_3751_CA_Sullivans_Curve.jpg
Hey, Concor had both the Veranda turbine and U-50 coming out any day now... ...as long as any day isn't any day in the last 5 years that they have been saying any day now.
So, therefore, my request is that Kato paints up a CZ diner in Amtrak colors, phases I-VI. The phase IV-VI versions would look prototypical alongside the Viewliners and Amtubes in more contemporary Intercity sets. Also, if/when Kato re-runs the COLA, should also sell 2-packs of Pacific 10-6 sleepers--the COLA in the 1950s and 1960s often ran with these. That all could all be done with existing tooling. As for something new: A 1937 Super Chief (a fairly short train)...a 1948 20th Century...a lightweight Lark (an excuse to rerun the GS4)...I can dream, can't I?
LMBO yeah we know. The Athearn edition in HO was a nice Loco and for awhile I had hoped that they would just shrink it and come out with it. If I'm not mistaken they sold out fairly quickly. But so far nobody has made them again in N scale. If I'm not mistaken Kato made the original for Con Cor; and they run well I have three just DCC is a bit more difficult and sound is out totally from my experience
Dear Kato... how about some love for New England? Phase V F3's (like the F3's used by B&M and somewhat by MEC which had low 36" fans and slot style dynamic brake vents, but had F7 style stainless grills on the side). And/or A B&M passenger set with and F2, F3, or F7 A-B set pulling a baggage car and a couple coaches. I mean, Kato already makes single headlight F2's and F7's...
I hate to keep bringing this up... but at some point... someone high up in the Kato administration should see that there is a significant desire for the NORTH COAST LIMITED passenger consist to be released by Kato. I don't know if Kato has enough of the prototype shells accounted for to create an NCL without too much new tooling. I know they would have to re-do their dome coach and dome sleeper to have the slab side panels. Other than that... what other passenger cars they would have to tool to get the prototype passenger set correct is unknown to me. Anyone have a clue as to how many cars Kato would have to tool-up for an accurate NCL???
This should give you some idea of what would be required in terms of new tooling: http://www.trainweb.org/fredatsf/np54.htm
So, you are leaning to the later post 54 paint scheme? Or would you buy the earlier one with some Pine Tree F3s to pull it?
I bet they make an atsf 4-8-4 in the future. just what I think, nothing more. an unstreamlined J would be neat also. I bet that never happens from anyone. just love my newer run of santa fe F 7's. just need some yellow bonnets now. man those are hard to find!
I like both versions, but, the iconic post 1954 Lowey two-toned green scheme is probably the most sought after version. We have quite a few 'stand-in' versions of the 1954 NCL made by various manufacturers over the years. ConCor being the first one to attempt it... and Intermountain, Walthers and Wheels of Time... having done a few sort-of-close models. I am disappointed with Intermountain and their half-hearted and slow releases of NCL passenger cars. Also they are not necessarily done to prototype configurations. Costly models at over $35 each (discounted) makes it a challenge for many to commit to buying them... further slowing the release of new models. There is no mistaking that Kato could do this project better than all of the previous attempts... not to mention... bring it in at a reasonable price too. If they choose to do the Butterknife/Pinetree scheme... I won't be too disappointed though. ;-)
The lack of dome cars in the pre-'54 streamlined consist would constitute a serious objection to that version- Pine Tree scheme locos notwithstanding.
