Kato Passenger Set - whats the next one?

I am assuming you made a typo of 1955 - the original light-weight was 1947. Re-equipped in 1951 (mid-century Empire Builder) and domes added in 1954/55.
I don't have an exact date, but the E's were gone from the EB by 1949. F3's and F7's were the power for the EB until the mid 1960's. So, F's were the power long before and after the domes were added.

 

I didn't check my dates so 1955 probably wasn't what I should have typed. I have a number of GN books (plus the model railroader issue with the foldout spread on the original lightweight EB with E7 power), but was too lazy to check. I guess my point was that I wouldn't mind the absence of some or all of the domes if Kato were to issue the EB with E7 power. As a new marketing spin, maybe they could issue the original consist as the boxed set and then have an add-on set with the three dome coaches plus the first class Great Dome lounge. They already have the F units to go with the later consist.

 

Nope, the ATSF biz fleet first. Guaranteed success!

 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!!!! Will someone do a North Coast limited. And with the recent release from IM with the F-3 and F-7's in the butterknife scheme, will someone please do some passenger cars to match the locos? Everyone is doing the Loewy scheme, why not do some cars in the butterknife scheme? If somone did I would be up for a set and I know others in the hobby that I am sure would jump on the bandwagon with me too!!! And please dont just do what they did with the Empire Builder and take their generic passenger cars and decorate them in Omaha Orange and Pullman green and call it the Empire Builder. Come on now! They have the technology to do a correct version of the EB or the NCL.

 

Yep, it's funny how often we see posts asking for the NCL (myself included) but also how often we see reports that "someone" at Kato has said that the NCL will not be done anytime soon.

Also, I don't want to miss the opportunity to again say that if Kato ever does the NCL, I hope they understand that if they release matching F7's, the grills are NOT to be painted silver. NP kept those painted green to match the dark green on the loco and silver would just look wrong. Spread the word.....

 

It didn't pop into...

...muh head 'till just a moment ago. The READING CRUSADER. That would be interesting.

Mark

 

You're forgetting that according to Kato there is no market for anything that ran east of Chicago, or north of the UP.

Would be interesting though, was that the train with an observation car at both ends?

 

I know a former Kato employee very very well (Dad) that is a big NP fan. Supposedly NP is not popular enough to do. How true those feelings are I don't know, but since 198? the only thing NP from Kato has been some RDC's and slumber coaches. C'mon, out of all the F-units done (old and new) and the SD45's? even if it came with BN sublettering it would be a start...but no. I wouldn't hold my breath for anything big NP from kato.

 

I'd be REALLY surprised if the UP business car fleet is not on Kato's radar. They already have several of the cars (perhaps with a couple of slight modifications), they've been done in brass (twice! OMI and Lookmodel) and apparently sell - and of course it's really the only modern passenger train - outside of Amtrak and commuter that has high visibility, seen around the country (superbowls, political conventions, TV shows, etc...)

Add in the UP steam program - and the fact that they have done most of the diesels that could pull the train and it seems like a perfect fit.

 

How many dealers have Kato Broadway Limited sets rusting away on their shelves?

 

From a sales standpoint, it makes economic sense to produce the ATSF biz fleet first.

 

Hmmm.... Not sure why ATSF would be a better seller. The railroad itself is long gone - and though most of the cars are still around they are relettered and now usually operate with those ex-SP commuter cars.

The UP train covers more years and has more potential to be paired with other Kato products.

I do think some of the correct ATSF cars could be assembled from other Kato offerings though - just like a partial UP train can be assembled...

 

Well, my friend seemed happy with the plans of Kato and he is not a fan of business trains. He is fan of the transition era. So I should put my money on a train from that period.

 

Russell-
The CZ was ALL new tooling. They did reuse the trucks, but that's about it. All the cars have a different construction method compared to the original Budd Corrugated Cars where the roofs are integral to the carbody. I like the original construction better, especially on the Dome cars.
The 10-6 is the only common car type (all the domes are different from the Twin Cities Zephyr done with the Budd Corrugated cars) and that one is the 1949 car , not the 1952one from the Budd Corrugated release. Both ran on the CZ.
Charlie Vlk

 

Funny, Kato will do an SD40 in Algoma Central, but they won't do an SD45 in NP, or F units either.

 

Some sneeky screwing around, personal agenda's and miscommunication killed the WC SD40 that was spose to go with that for the N-scale crowd, but you can get one in HO! The pair (WC and AC) would've been nice, I remember seeing the AC units come through on WC trains on the IHB all the time as a kid.

 

Ask the folks at Trains magazine what happens when the War Bonnet appears on the cover.

 

I'm not even going to try to ask for the North Coast Limited anymore.

When Kato stops getting requests for it... they will surprise everyone by announcing it.

It's reverse 'Sickology' .

 

Kato moves in mysterious ways.

 

And I bet if they put Gisele Bundchen on the cover, sales would go through the roof, but it still doesn't mean Kato should make a model of her.