F units could handle the grades as opposed to the early E units. Most of the photos I've seen have 3 F units on the 13 car consist. It is my understanding that the E8s were able to cope with the grades in the Berkshires, but I haven't heard anything about the E7s. My memories of the NYC (64-67) are all RDCs, Fs and Geeps between Poughkeepsie and Croton-Harmon, electric MUs and boxcabs from there into GCT. Never even saw the 20th Century. CORRECTIONS: After a little more research, 2 E7s were usually assigned to the 20th Century Ltd. A third E unit was only added for extra steam generation capacity. I think the NYC only got 8 or so E7B units. Here's my reference: https://nycshs.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/2007q2.pdf Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk
I was hesitant to buy this set since it is so 'outside' my modeling area. But, I figured that the Broadway Limited and GG1's I got many years ago was an equal stretch for me. As it turns out... I just got in 'under the wire'. That Old Line State etailer has sold out of the 9 car set and the E7 set. They have plenty of the 4 car add-on sets. I would imagine they will restock on the sold out items soon.
I model modern day, and freelance. So for me these named trains are perfect for when I want an "excursion" to run wherever my fictional railroad is located. My Milwaukee Road Hiawatha is a popular one, but then again that train did go to Tacoma when it was running.
Yep. I try to order early so that I can get the whole set at one time with a single shipping fee. Sometimes the restocks are a bit choppy. "Okay, the engines are back in stock but one of the car sets is still out of stock." Month later: "Great, the cars are back in stock but dangit, the engines are now OOS." etc.....
The NYC had 14 E7B units, roadnumbers 4100-4113. Most earlier photos seem to show only a pair of E7 units on the TCL. Some later photos show a pair of E8A units along with an E7B unit.
Thanks for the info regarding E7B's. I feel that Kato messed up with the release of motive power. They could have done a set of E7A & E7B.... with a separate E7A. Of course that would go against the typical two E7A units on the original run. Who knows if Kato will ever do an E7B. Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
The NYC had two A-B-A sets of steam generator equipped F3 locos for use on the New England States trains that ran through the Berkshire hills. Roadnumbers were 3500-3503 for the A units and 3600-3601 for the B units.
I just made an 'extended cyber Monday' purchase of an Alco PA/PB set of lightning stripe NYC units done by Broadway Ltd. The powered PA unit has DCC/sound... the PB unit is unpowered... but I will find a powered DCC/sound chassis for it. The Kato E7A/E7A units I got are straight DC. Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
My set arrived today. They look really nice! One notable change; unlike previous four car add on sets, the TCL add-on set cars are not in individual Kato boxes. They are in a custom styrofoam tray just like the basic set. I think this is a win-win. Likely cheaper to produce and also easier for the modeler to run and store.
Fresh out of their boxes which just landed on my porch! Looks real nice... as usual... for Kato. Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
Yep. One of the best from Kato yet. I'll always be partial to the CZ, but this one easily surpasses the COLA, Daylight, 400 and BL in my eyes (all of which I still own and enjoy BTW). Now, about that NCL......
Man... if Kato does an accurate NCL... IT WILL BE # 1 on my list. I have purchased other sets after the five versions of CZ to support Kato's efforts. All being in anticipation of the NCL. But still no word from them about a pending release... sigh!! Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
I have the Broadway, COLA, and Daylight. Last one on the list is the NCL. (I suppose I could do the Southern Crescent for consistency- rode it in its "Amtrak maverick" incarnation. On the other hand, I never got to ride the BL. Best I could get was the General.) Sent from my SM-T837A using Tapatalk
Well here's my first run of the 20th Century limited with the two Santa Fe run through cars on the head end along the snow-covered cliffs. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.)
Well, one thing's for sure, Kato now "owes" us both an E5 B unit and an E7 B unit. Cmon' man!! Get 'er done!
Funny... and all this time I thought you were doing a run through along the white Cliffs of Dover in England. Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
I pulled my locos and cars out today to give them a close look. Really nice job by Kato. I haven't done any side-by-side comparisons, but it looks like the cars couple as close or closer than anything they've released in the past (possible exception being Daylights with Kinematics). I like that. I wish other manufacturers would pay more attention to that. An interesting note. A certain large retailer who initially had around 100 sets of the E7s promptly sold out. Then they were restocked and at 170 inventory a few days ago when I checked. They again show sold out. I think Kato has a real winner here, and hopefully that bodes well for more named trains in the future.
If that retailer is also a distributor... most of those might be in the hands of smaller LHS clients. Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk