Hi Gang, Has anyone seen the new Kato Tractor/Container/Chassis sets yet. I just got mine today. What do you think? I thought they were doing a standard height 40' container but this is a hi-cube. The door is different from ours. But the 2 sets have the same road number. The Volvo and yard goat look good and leave room for adding details. The chassis is a bit odd looking with the extra "40' post pin holders" at the 53' and 48' locations. I think the ICC bar hangs down too low personally. Doesn't change my mind about proceeding with our 53' (fixed) chassis. Dave
Dave, I personally have not picked up a set, but I'm wondering if Kato's release is the same as Tomy's release of intermodal sets several years ago. At that time I picked up a (surprise) "K" Line 40' standard container, and if you look it's about 1/156 (Japanese N), not 1/160. The height of the standard is the same as a high cube in 1/160, and the width is also wider. The chassis looks like a Japanese prototype as well. Until you guys do white 40' HC Reefers for "K" Line they'll have to do Keep up the great work!
Kato's containers are 1/160. They are designed to work with their 53' containers and fit in their well cars. The tomix containers are actually 1/150.
YEAH DAVE!!! We need the 53' Chassis (as well as a 48' Chassis) that come in packs of 5. Can't wait for the spine cars as well to give the containers and chassis something to ride on!!!
I haven't seen the Kato sets yet, but they're not on my short list anyway. I don't have a nice yard like Jan does for all those chassis. I'm even holding off on more Kato Maxi-IV's until I see the DI sets. Brand loyalty. -Gary BTW Dave, we need some green Hub Group cans now. That's my price for brand loyalty . FWIW, I'm loyal to Kato for motive power, until the FVM GEVOs arrive.
Dave, I believe mine are in route, and should arrive any day now. From the photos I have seen, I think the container chassis will become the starting point for kitbashing a flatbed trailer. I have a feeling most people are probably buying these for the Volvo semi-tractor and Capacity yard tractor, not for the container and chassis. I am glad to hear you plan to proceed your 53-foot fixed length container chassis. Carter
The Kato hi-cube 40' is the same in all 3 dimensions as ours so it is 1/160. As far as I know Tomix is a brand owned by Tomytec which is owned by Takara Tomy. Hi-cube reefer, why didn't I think of that? Wait I did! Don't read too much into that. I have a wish list too. The 53' chassis will not be the only new one but nothing beyond that is firm. Except green Hub Group containers. Teaser only, no date yet. Spine cars are coming slowly but surely. Dave
If I bought the Kato sets, it would be for the containers, but then, I didn't order any. Waiting on the CAI hi-cube 5-pack that Dave already announced. Dave, if your still paying attention, I would love to see a standard dimension NON-logo panel 40 foot container for our most modern schemes.
Who has them available yet? M B woo woo woo, N Scale Supply and Feather River are not showing them in stock. The Volvo is something I have wanted for a while. Jeff
Jeff Feather River and N Scale Supply have probably pre-sold all they ordered so that is why they do not show up. M B. Kleins does not post an item until it is in stock so keep watching them as I am and order what you want the minute you see them in stock. Could be any hour.
Hoping mine show up soon. Can't wait to see how the tractors look. Bet they will look good with a DI 53' Highway trailer behind them.
I got my sets from a very fast source so they were probably also just getting to dealers yesterday. It's a game of 1 day UPS zones. Dave
Gotta love customer loyalty. Thanks Ben. I have thought about the standard height fully corrugated container and at some point will pull that mold temporarily out of production to make some new inserts. The same mold set runs the 40' Dual Logo Panel and Reefer containers plus the 48' smooth side. No announcements now, but what that will allow is a fully corrugated version and a sheet and post smooth side 40' dry box. I hope to be able to do that next year. Dave