Kato announced ES44AC's in UP, CP, BNSF and CSX - coming in Q1 and Q2 2010 - specifically UP, CP first and BNSF, CSX to follow.
Lets not go calling it an ES44AC until Kato says what it is eh? Could be a DC and be different from FVM's first release...
Sorry, it's an ES44AC for sure - UP and CP only had AC's. The second release BNSF and CSX could be ES44DC, but they both have AC's as well. In fact, even NS has AC's now...
It will be intersting to compare the Fox Valley units to the Kato ones. I think FVM has an edge on Kato as far as the ease of installing a DCC decoder. A plug into the existing lightboard beats swapping out the boards any day.....
Just when I thought I'd convinced myself to model the past not the modern era... My wallet will thank me I am sure. Jamie
Oh man thats crazy haha. Its a shame that two manufacturers have to fight over this model when there are so many other models N scale needs. I'm just hoping with all my heart that the ones in CP have the correct cab, since FVM wont do the right cap for CP. I have a feeling that Kato will do the right cab, they did it for the AC44's. One can only hope! edit: Also, this would be my guess for why the SD70ACe supply has dried up so much. I'm thinking that after FVM started announcing theirs, Kato kicked their factories into high gear on the GEVO's! That's why there are no SD70ACe reruns except DRGW until at least the spring.
Now with the announcement by Kato I am not sure whether I acted too fast by reserving a couple made by FVM. Looks like I may have to get ones made by Kato too! Cheers,
Yes, anything else? Anything no one else is already making? I bet Kato don't do some of the smaller roads like Iowa Interstate or Ferromex though, even KCS might be to obscure a road for Kato.
WOW Intermountain doing the ES44AC's in HO, and now KATO and FVM doing them in N scale, what a great time for the modern modelers Ive got 11 of the Intermountain HO ES44AC DCC/SOUND's on order right now, three of them reserved for clients, and the rest for me so far LOL (yeah im being greedy, im getting all 4 numbers for BNSF and UP hehe)
Just a gut reaction, but I wasn't going to order FVM ones because of the add on parts I would have to install. I am growing to like the GEVO's, as I do with most modern locos. So, I think I will probably end up ordering some Kato's. I know what I am getting with these. I feel sorry for FVM. They are great guys and this will no doubt hurt sales, if others feel like I do, even with some of their innovations. There was a thread a while ago on whether BLMA or others should jump in the loco market. If this is an indication of what might happen, I doubt they will do it. Kato, Atlas, and even Walthers could crush them like a bug if they wanted. FVM new that Kato had the basis to do the GEVO's just like any mfg would know that Atlas and LL have the basics for any new Geep. It's a risky business and I hope FVM comes out of this okay.
There's a growing number of N scalers that want those add on parts and more realistic models, with grab irons, cut levers, etc. That will draw them to the FVM units over the Kato units. I don't think Matt and FVM will be hurting too much. It will hurt sales, but that's the nature of the business. And the add on parts, aren't necessary on the FVM units. They're just supplied should you want to add them.
I've got 1 FerroMex on order, and I know it'll be a looooooooong time before Kato does them... Right now, it's a coin toss on Kato or FVM UP GEVOs, since that's about all UP runs over the Loop, along with SD70Aces and Ms and SD9043MACs. And I won't get too worked up about BNSF unless it's 7600-7700 class engines, cause the AC's don't get out on the Left Coast much. Art
Who know's, with the QC issues on the Kato ACe's, FVM may just have the upper hand. Out of the 6 Kato Heritage unit's, 4 of mine had issues, one was missing gears in the truck. 3 of them we sold had issues with the light board not making contact, one had dead LED's out of the box. I'm just glad I'm not a modern era modeler and don't have to make the decision for myself, just what is going to set on the store shelves. I may just end up with some KCS's though, that and a couple of the intermountain F's with some black shiny smoothsides for a nice N-trak business train.
Guys, I think FVM may has just one card to play : Doing engines Kato will never do like Ferromex or Iowa interstate, KCS, etc Of course FVM will have to fight hard on the class 1 RR market (especially UP / BNSF / CP or CSX) But, on the other hand Kato will Never do smaller companies like Ferromex, Iowa Interstate, etc... due to a smaller market than the class 1. I'm sure many Nscaler will found what they'd like by FVM...:thumbs_up: Any way i'll get a few CN units when they come out!
Good points all. However, I am not sure Kato won't do Iowa Interstate or KCS. There just aren't that many paint schemes available to do and they have done the occaisional Algoma Central and lease schemes. If their minimum order is 300 I would think they could sell those, but I am just guessing. As alway, I could be wrong.
If somebody who is going to the show today could please ask Kato if they are doing the correct cab for the CP version that would be awesome! I am dying to know! IF they do, they can pretty much steal all of the CP customers from FVM, at least the ones that know FVM is doing it wrong!
