Kato Maxi-I Double-Stack Well Car 5 Unit Set ...

re: Maxi-Stack I sets ...



when they say Available in March ... does that mean at the retailer level?

 

Thats what they hope for, but there is always a chance it can be pushed back due to production delays and such

 

neat kato 40 footers $$

 

I hope they will follow up with K Line or others in the near future. Even an empty set would be nice. Seems like a deal when you consider getting 10 containers + the 5 wells for ~$90 street price. Always nice to have intermodal variety!

 

Very cool I've been waiting for these for a while just hope they do more roads and would be nice if they sold them without the containers so you can get the ones you want.

 

I'm still waiting on the Maxi IV set with the green EMP containers. They were originally scheduled to be released a few months ago, and now the website just says late 2010. Very unlike Kato.
I intend to get one of the Maxi I's, and I hope they do at least 3-4 other numbers or paint schemes.

 

when did these hit the rails in the prototype world?

 

This is exciting news, at least for the modern modeler. I'm adding them to my must have list.

 

I think the early phase of Maxi-Is hit the rails in 1990:

http://intermodalarchive.org/old/STACK.HTM

They fell out of favor in the late '90s as RRs moved to 48' wells for most service. But the advent of 53' domestic containers made it more efficient to have a 53' fleet for domestic containers and a 40' fleet for international ones, so the Maxi-I has made a comeback and is very prevalent today.

I'm very excited about this release, but would prefer the containers be released separately.

-gfh

 

Not 1988 with DTTX 73000-73029?

Here's the official artwork for the later phase from 2005:




N-Scale Gunderson MAXI-I Well Cars: Precision Railroad Models

 

Doh! I stopped scrolling down the list when I got to BN.... 1988 is even better; but for me, the fact that they're still going strong in 2010 is better still.

Does the prototype have early and late phase detail differences?

-gfh

 

I'm not sure Gary. I'll be asking on the modelintermodal list shortly.

 

The most visible difference is the walkway configuration and brake gear.

AAR S162 73003-75299 There may be a few oddballs in that # range, But most are Maxi I's.

 

Here's a list of all the S162 class by RR AAR S162

 

Maxi I's.....Saaaweet! Even better would be to do a mix of containers in the 5 car set, but hey... not picky here....

My CSX gevo's are just craving to drag these around. Maybe hitched up to those BLMA spin cars.....whenever those hit the street. (waiting and wanting)

 

So these cars, what is the era of them? Is it the late 80s to now, or 2006 to now?

I mean in the scheme its offered by Kato, not the cars in general

 

For this number, 2005 onwards.

If you are not worried about the number or other details, the TTX logo is good from 1991 onwards.

 

Not to be Mr. Negative or anything but I have 4 sets of Kato Maxi IVs.
I had 5 but one broke outright. The others won't stay on the track through curves to save themselves. I have one set that I experimented with body mounted couplers and extra weight that shows promise.
If Kato did not address the problem with later versions of the Maxi IVs, why would I want to spend the big bucks on these new ones?

 

I agree - it would be nice if Kato improved their engineering on the articulated connections and made a provision for body mounting on the ends. I'm not holding my breath though.

I am happy that this distinctive and massively popular intermodal car is finally available though. I'd be happier if Kato addresses these issues and made them available without containers...

 

I don not have a layout yet, so mine are still in the box. With the connections breaking and containers with the same #. I am going to pass and wait for Deluxe to get theirs out.