Exactly! This product has been made. It is what it is, and no amount of discussion is going to change it. If you don't like it, either don't buy it, or take it upon yourself to make the corrections necessary. As far as I'm concerned, both companies mentioned in this thread make quality products! There's absolutely no need to argue the difference between best and most best. Now lets all just walk away from this one and go PLAY with our trains instead of continue to argue over them!
I can help you out with part of that. Send me a list of the 35 Atlas lokies you don't know what to do with, and if the price is right I will take them off of your hands.
Not really, those FVM Gevos have been sitting at that stock level before the Katos were deliver. When they Kato GEVO's first came out that store got over sixty of each number so it looks like they are selling.
This has bothered me for some time................here's some food for thought - WHY do we find ourselves in these ENDLESS discussions over "Atlas v. Kato", or "Code 80 v. Code 55", or "Peco v. Atlas", or "Etc. v. Etc", on and on ad nauseum???? I suspect that some post these topics just to stir controversy, then sit back and watch the fun. I propose that we knuckle down to modeling, and share our discoveries with each other to improve the hobby for us all, instead of carrying on discussions that don't do anything but piss everybody off.
JohnH, I will have to dig out the box and see. In some cases I think I just need to spend some time with them and take them apart, clean and reassemble. I am in a production line mode with decoder installations and if there is any issue with the locomotive it goes into the reject box until I have time to get back to it. One I have is an old Atlas/Kato U25 that has never run in it's lifetime. It is going to be a wreked locomoitve in the engine yard for the rest of its lifetime. Also, any locomoitve I decide I will not keep, gets fixed up and donated to children's charities. BoxCab, The only SD45 reject I have in the Kato box is one of the latest DRGW locomoitves that is in a box for Kato Warranty repair. Most the rest are the older non-dcc ready F3's and F7's I got off ebay with plans to repaint as I needed to fill roster spots. Though there is one of those old Gp7 units from Kato in the box.
If selling at an expected rate its hard to justify a reduction in price (regardless of inventory on hand) unless, its not, or you need to move inventory ahead of an expected obsolescence ( updated or replacement version coming) or a store needs to raise capital fast. my .02 $ anyway. As for the rest, hard to understand how a totally voluntary hobby to have fun can get so serious??? I thought that's what my day job was for.....
Just sit there and be good little boys and girls. Really? I can name off at LEAST a dozen products from various manufacturers that were altered in future runs as a direct result of forum discussions and/or e-mail sent regarding specific issues in products. Sit on our hands and zip our lips and don't rock the boat? No thanks. I spend too much money on this stuff to accept substandard product.
Gotta say I agree with Doug. WE are the consumer market. If enough of us have the same idea and make it known, it would be a pretty bad business decision of them not to listen. Especially if we're just talking paint/decals, not something like new locomotives that require new tooling, etc.
I wish Kato sold undecorated versions like Atlas does, would save me considerable headache trying to remove that poor paintjob without hurting the plastic... I confess though, I actually would be removing the paint if I bought one, not because the paint is poor quality but because I'm not modeling any of the roads offered. Maybe Athearn will release N-scale versions of their latest HO SD45s (they have three roadnumbers for the B&P in that scale). Til then, I'm saving up for a few Katos.
You know, I didn't even know that they didn't do undecorated locos any more. Both the GP50 and F3A that I have were undecorated locomotives and that's what turned me from a looker to a buyer (I had been "thinking" of picking up some of the new Kato locomotives I'd heard about but made the decision to buy them when I found undecorated units). KATO, in case you're listening, how bout some undecorated locomotives? Or at least shells??
Ok, good point. Let me re-phrase my original statement. This product has been made. It is what it is, and no amount of arguing is going to change it. A solid discussion regarding the specific issues with a product is far different than name calling and ridiculing others for their outlook. The latter will not be tolerated.
A bottle of 91% rubbing alcohol in a cheap food holder will do the trick. While the photo shows an Atlas body, I have successfully done the same with Kato shells. It will not harm the plastic and it only took about an hours before the paint came off with a cheap Testors brush.
I have to say that I have the BN U30C's and the SF U23C's as well as the Bicentennial loco and they are GREAT!!! Seriously. I don't have any problems with the paint. I have about 10 of the first release from way back. These are again great pullers and will require so much less additional alterations to get them the way "I" want them. Swapping out the couplers for MT1015 was a piece of cake. This is one release that I am glad I didn't pass up. For the price point; I think that KATO is a good value...not perfect. I would pay more to get the added extras that have been talked about here, there and everywhere BUT I probably am in the minority. I don't mind doing a little customization to get my models to where I want them. If KATO would tone down their high sheen paint (specifically the black) I think that it would really help to win over some of the modellers that are not into spraying dullcote to get rid of the toylike look. Ok....the toylike orange plow wasn't cool either. Enjoy whatever you are running! Brian
Sorry, I have to disagree here. There should only be one kind of blue, including the flag. The color chosen for plow and trucks would be the one they should have used for the shell as well. I doubt that a bit of dullcote would take care of this issue.
Show me a KATO that has painted trucks or snow plows. They are all colored plastic so they will never match the painted parts - except maybe black. When I start posting pictures you will be surprised what a little dullcote and "gentle" weathering can do to blend and alter the individual colors. Brian
