Kato has announced the pending release in Japan of a JNR9600 series 2-8-0 Consolidation (see a photo/data page on the prototype here): http://www02.so-net.ne.jp/~noz/sl/e9600.html Except for the short 3-axle tender it could be easily Americanized, perhaps even using the same tender from their USRA Mikado. Or does Kato USA have something up their sleeve? eNjoy Don B
Thanks for the heads up Don! I think you might have uncovered a secret! I would rather have Kato go all out and do a big boy, or even a cab forward!!! Someday.....
Micro Ace also makes a JNR 2-8-0 with that same three axle tender. The Micro Ace model has more of a North American look to it that the Kato model. I got two of them and they are very smooth runners. With a new tender and a little work on the engine to remove the Japanese lettering characters You have got one sweet little 2-8-0. The best part is that it cost 1/2 of what the Bachmann and MDC engines will supposedly sell for. Bad part is they are hard to find. Tomix makes a similiar 2-8-0 with a tender drive.
Charlie Vlk posted a reply on the Yahoo N scale board. In effect he said, NO! But ge also said the basic mechanism was close to several American prototypes so it may be possible to bash one that could pass.
