My problem (Is it really a problem?!): I´ve preordered a silver IM F3 A-B-A Set earlier this year, pulling the announced Kato Cal-Zephyr. So I didn´t preoder the Kato F3´s. But now I´m not sure, what´s the better choice, Kato or IM? My nightmare is: Silver IM F3 is cancelled and Kato F3 is sold out Uff! What shall I do? Changing my preorder to Kato or "let the river flow", waiting for the IM? dennyc.
I'd reserve the Kato's... but let your dealer know the quandry you are in. The Kato's are due this fall. The IM's are probably a lot further off. So you would still be able to cancel the IM's well in advance of shipment... the dealer could adjust their reservations accordingly. Besides, the Kato will be limited run, whereas IM -- for the most part -- tries to maintain stock... though sometimes it requires additional runs. When MT announced the FT in Reading, I reserved some. But I cancelled them when IM told me they would be doing Reading FT's. Guess what... they never came. I can find MT Reading FT's, but this is an example where you might be better off taking what comes along first. Kato, in your case.
While I might still get a set of the Kato F3s since they are supposed to have the correct details for CB&Q, I am disinclined to rely on Kato for my F Unit needs.... the new mechanism isn't as good as the old one (and the IM/MT FT mechs) being lighter....and the availability of parts and new roadnames/numbers is so spotty with Kato I'd rather not wait for them to fit some F units into their domestic production schedule when other manufacturers have a better supply history. Charlie Vlk
dennyc: It's a tossup. However I would prefer the Kato F-3, because I like the Kato motor mechanism. I am happy with the Kato F-3 ABBA units that I ordered in Santa Fe and Western Pacific roadnames. If you are using DCC, the Digitrax decoder for the Kato F-3's has more functions than the comparable NCE drop-in decoder for the IM F-3's. [ 02. July 2004, 17:03: Message edited by: Powersteamguy1790 ]
Definitely the Kato. The new mech runs sweet (sorry Charlie, gotta say it) and even though it is lighter, an ABA set should have no problem handling a passenger train. And DCC capable to boot.
The fact that IM came out with FT's, hasn't slowed Micro-Trains from moving ahead with their own FT version. You'll probably be OK. Hey, Charlie! It's been a long time- Any updates on your layout? Photos? Boxcab E50
I really like my Kato WP F3s. Although I don't own any IM FTs at the moment, I am waiting for a set of their WP orange and silver FTs. If they turn out as nice as I hope, I may cancel my Model Power FP7 order and wait for the rumoured IM FP7.
It's the old "bird in the hand worth two in the bush" scenario. Who would ever have thought that we would have two choices for CB&Q passenger F3's?
I'll go with the bird in hand. The Kato set I just received will be painted in Jersey Central colors. When IM comes through, I wll paint them in the Reading scheme. Len
It seems everyone has their own rationale with these choices. I have chosen to wait out the Kato releases and get the IMs...they will MU well with my FTs, and IMHO the detail is better. I have an ABBA set of the earlier ATSF Kato F3s. and they are great locomotives. However, once you get used to seeing the freestanding details on the IM units, your eye expects to see them on other locos as well! Given the success IM had replicating the see-through look of the tunnel motor grilles, I suspect they might seek to recreate the stainless steel finish on the CB&Q and Santa Fe F3s (the Santa Fe FT prototypes had no stainless steel panels). For me, it's worth the wait to see if they can pull that off, along with their announced cab details. Hey Marty, if you are lurking out there, how long are we going to be salivating over these? [ 08. July 2004, 01:05: Message edited by: Warbonnet-Fan ]
I'm holding out for the IM F3's. I have an IM FT AB pair and they are absolutely wonderful engines. Smooth, pulls great, great detail and have been the most trouble free engines I have. Come on IM, when will they be here?
