Kato Formally Announces the GG1 Electric

[3rdrail]

Of all the "online" hobby shops I have dealt with, only Brooklyn Locomotive Works does not also have an actual brick and mortar store. Chuck at FRTS and George at Wig-Wag both appear to have very nice, well stocked stores, and Wig-Wag moved into a larger store, indicating he is prospering. I've always considered Klein's as more of a brick and mortar than an online store, but I suppose Ted does more online these days.

So, these days it would appear it is more "and" than "or".   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This is so stupid. I'm glad Kato sees fit to waste everyone's time with this crap. Sure, other people may do it, but lots of people also shoot smack, that doesn't make it a good idea.

I understand their goal, and why they need to do SOMETHING, but this type of thing is just completely ineffectual

.

If it is an effort to help brick and mortar shops, Maybe the shops should do something to remain relevant and competitive, and not have Kato swoop in like the Fed.

While I don't quite support blatant protectionism like that, there ARE policies in place that could do that. The current guidelines for the MAP seem more to be about "looking like they're doing something" than actually doing something.

[Dave V]

Ahh, ok, I didn't realize the A&S had two tracks.

That's a cool line though. Would make for a fun layout now that these are available. That's right, I'm looking at YOU, Dave.

I'm tempted to consider the A&S...  My family is from Lancaster County.  My father's cousin has a farm off Marticville Road a few miles north of the big Martic Forge trestle on the A&S.

For most people the drawback would be that the A&S was an exclusively through-freight line.  No passengers and no on-line customers.  But I'm more of a train watcher anyway.

I could add the Columbia branch for interest; lots of switching, and while electrified, the locals were diesel-powered (or steam in the old days!).

Next challenge:  PRR-style catenary poles!

[Iain]

Hmm, a PRR car float at one time connected with the NS Electric Division.

Oh, no PRR electrified trackage.

[Nato]

 Ok ! Everyone, correct me if I'am wrong,didn't Micro Trains sometime in the early1980's require any sellers to have Brick and Mortor stores and somehow Pete at BLW had to comply. As to compairing the KATO GG1 and my old Crapido which I have stored away (version 2 with the better stick on Key Stones) ,it would be like compairing Apples to Oranges,only thing about the Rapido is it  will run off ovrehead if thats your thing, although Arnold had dummy European rubber streachable catenary.            Nate Goodman (Nato). Salt Lake, Utah.

[Chulvis]

Ok ! Everyone, correct me if I'am wrong,didn't Micro Trains sometime in the early1980's require any sellers to have Brick and Mortor stores and somehow Pete at BLW had to comply.

Yes, the policy did and still does exist, but it was for new dealers moving forward from that date. Many existing dealers were grandfathered in (wink, wink). BLW was and still is one of MTL's largest dealers. No way would they cut him off.   

[wcfn100]

I love reading in the papers here when hobby shops close "times have changed...yada yada yada".....yeah exactly, times changed and you didn't. They should have had an online "version" as well as a good local shop and they may not have been in the position to blame the internet, and better yet embrace it and work with it.

It's nice that you think all hobby shop owners can just "get" an on-line presence.  How does that conversation go.

"Ok, sir, I know your 60 years old and have owned this business for 30 years, but you're going to have to change.  First you need to buy a computer and learn how to use it.  Then you need to learn how to use the internet and how to e-mail.  Then you need pay someone to get online presence by way of a domain name and internet access.  Then you need to pay someone to make a webpage or learn how to program yourself.  Oh, by the way, you have to pay a little more for a secure shopping cart because you need a secure socket layer, oh wait, you have no idea what I'm talking about.  And finally, after paying all that money, you have to cut your profit by at least %20 to stay in business."

I'd find something else to do too.


Jason

[Norm P]

I love reading in the papers here when hobby shops close "times have changed...yada yada yada".....yeah exactly, times changed and you didn't. They should have had an online "version" as well as a good local shop and they may not have been in the position to blame the internet, and better yet embrace it and work with it.

It's nice that you think all hobby shop owners can just "get" an on-line presence.  How does that conversation go.

I'd find something else to do too.


Jason

That is apparently what they are deciding to do.  I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.  If they don't want to change with the times, that's their business.  There's always someone willing to fill the void.

[Iain]

Then again, I know of one hobby shop that doesn't have an online presence beyond a small web site that tells a little about the store and how to get there.  The fact is, that hobby shop is not only still in business but is doing very nicely.

[CVSNE]

I just noticed this thread, so sorry if I ressurrected it . . .

I mayhave to get two of these things - one just because I saw them all the time in regular service and one to use the mech to kitbash the "original" GG-1 which was, of course, a New Haven EP-2.

Marty

[Mark5]

Ep-2 eh? New Haven is a very interesting road!



http://home.att.net/~berliner-Ultrasonics/boxcabnh.html

I have no use for or rationale for buying a GG1, but it is a cool looking loco ...

[CVSNE]

Neat link - I should correct myself and mention the New Haven EP-3 - not EP-2 - was the unit the PRR used to develop the GG-1 running gear.

Marty