Kato NYC 20th Century Limited "name train" release

NorsemanJack Jun 25, 2018

  1. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

    3,495
    4,790
    82
    E7's
     
  2. NorsemanJack

    NorsemanJack TrainBoard Member

    2,264
    946
    51
    Well the "BIG" news here is obviously the Big Boy!! Wow, this will be interesting. Not a big surprise, given Kato's previous UP excursion releases.
     
    Kurt Moose likes this.
  3. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

    2,879
    7,585
    71
    Too bad Kato didn't pick a steam loco that hasn't been done already.
    Con-Cor/Rivarossi and Athearn have made the loco in plastic, while the Key and Oriental Ltd imports were in brass.
     
    EMD F7A and Calzephyr like this.
  4. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

    4,153
    1,149
    74
    I am curious to see how well the Kato version of the Big Boy sells... given that the Athearn version has been released a couple of times over the past 10 years. Also... there were some other older releases as mentioned in the prior post.

    The release of the Big Boy should have been THIS year for the sesquacentennial of completion of the transcontinental railroad.

    The Dreyfuss Hudson would have been better due to the TCL train. Kato could have used that 4-6-4 wheel arrangement for a future Milw Rd Otto Kuhler F7 Baltic and also the CB&Q Aeolus Hudson

    Kato has their 'timing' a bit off on these releases.

    Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2019
    Kurt Moose likes this.
  5. EMD F7A

    EMD F7A TrainBoard Member

    1,250
    148
    26
    I'm of the mind that Athearn has burned enough big-steam buyers that Kato will bring the pain and drop the people's elbow on every Bog Boy version before it. The last two batches of Challengers were painful to run, all hitch and sputter. Kato's 4-8-4 Northern is literally the best running steamer in decades, and if they knock the Big Boy outta the park they'll stay in the steam kick. I'm in for one at least, and I've passed up a dozen cheap Athearns in the last year or two.

    I bet they've made new customers after the excursion train run, which was absolutely breathtaking to see in real life...
     
  6. NorsemanJack

    NorsemanJack TrainBoard Member

    2,264
    946
    51
    Bingo. I'll admit that I've never owned one of the other brands, but I've read enough threads regarding them to keep my credit card safely stowed in my wallet. I'll definitely be a buyer for the Kato Big Boy.
     
    EMD F7A likes this.
  7. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

    9,888
    29,158
    148
    I will definitely be in for a Kato Big Boy. I have an Athearn Challenger that is about 10 years old that has never been out of the box. Finally in the mood to run it but scared to based on all I've read. Love my Kato FEF-3 and if the Big Boy runs like it does, I will be super happy to have one. Only bad think is I bet it will have a rather hefty price tag so time to start saving!
     
    EMD F7A, mtntrainman and Onizukachan like this.
  8. kverdon

    kverdon TrainBoard Member

    150
    34
    23
    I too will look forward to the Kato BigBoy. After my recent experience with my Athearn Challenger (which is back at Athearn AGAIN for service) I will be steering clear of their offerings for a while.
     
  9. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

    4,153
    1,149
    74
    I have had issues with the Athearn Challengers but only sent one back due to poor performance... and it was an early version. I have 10 Challengers and 4 Big Boys... some tweaking might be needed and breaking in improves performance... they are not perfect directly 'out of the box'.
    There is no guaranty that Kato's first attempt at an articulated model will be perfect 'out of the box' either. I have more faith that Kato will get it right the first time... but like the first batch of USRA Mikados and the early SP GS4... there could be some glitches.

    Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
     
  10. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

    4,153
    1,149
    74
    Kato throws us a screwball... didn't see this coming either. Swing... and miss for me.

    In their August e-newsletter Kato just announced a new release of the Broadway Limited with new E8s and GG1s. Expected to be released in February 2020.

    Looks like 2020 is going to be a banner year for east coast model railroaders. TCL and BL in the same year.

    Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
     
  11. NorsemanJack

    NorsemanJack TrainBoard Member

    2,264
    946
    51
    Have we figured out if any of the cars on the BL might be prototypically used for the TCL. If true, that might at least partially explain the timing.
     
  12. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

    2,879
    7,585
    71
    Wasn't that determination already made back on the first page?
     
  13. EMD F7A

    EMD F7A TrainBoard Member

    1,250
    148
    26
    AMEN. They may not be perfect but who is? I would pre-order their stuff in a heartbeat, while I would rely on first getting my hands on any brand- new product in store from basically any other vendor. BLI, Bachmann, etc...
     
    Atlas 080 likes this.
  14. Atlas 080

    Atlas 080 TrainBoard Member

    16
    8
    2
    The Intermountain Cab Forward pretty much is. That's a beautiful and beautiful running locomotive.

    Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
     
    Calzephyr likes this.
  15. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

    4,153
    1,149
    74
    And we may never see another new release in our lifetime... at least not at a price below $500-$600.

    Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
     
    mtntrainman likes this.
  16. NorsemanJack

    NorsemanJack TrainBoard Member

    2,264
    946
    51
    I was able to see the real operating Big Boy in person this morning in Southern AZ. WOW!!!!! I was already a buyer, but the more rail fans that experience what I did...… Kato's factory had best "open up a whole new door!" That wonderful work of art is an absolute beast. We saw the smoke long before the headlight. The whistle is still stuck in my ears. I was close enough to feel the steam. Anybody in Texas and points East should check the UP website for coming attractions. (y)
     
  17. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

    6,266
    6,246
    106
    It is incredible
     
  18. 501

    501 TrainBoard Member

    12
    39
    8
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    As a special treat, the Kato 20th Century Limited train will include a "red carpet" re-railing tool, allowing you to place your cars in similar extravagant style!
    [​IMG]
     
    MK, Hardcoaler and NorsemanJack like this.
  19. NorsemanJack

    NorsemanJack TrainBoard Member

    2,264
    946
    51
    Very nice!! Thanks for posting that 501 (and welcome to the forum!).
     
  20. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

    4,153
    1,149
    74
    Ahhhh yes... I was wondering when we might get some news from Kato about theTCL. So the ETA for this great looking set will be about Nov-Dec 2020. I guess I will be buying another great looking train that will have no reason to be running on my (hopefully) new layout this holiday season. I hope the NCL is on the drawing board for 2021.

    Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
     

Share This Page