ScaleTrains Tier 4 GEVO

[Smike]

Kato also did 2 #'s on the BNSF H2 C44-9W (the late model, detailed for BNSF) - probably the single largest fleet of a loco in one paint scheme (NS C44-9W close behind.  There is no rhyme or reason to their production decisions....  ???

Let me start with this is not a Kato bashing rant, just my observations:
Given the fact that Kato has sat on the SD40-2's they already had, while Intermountain brought to market a fleet of them with dcc/sound along with prototypical details, leads me to believe that Kato is slowly becoming the lagging manufacture in this sector. Outside of smooth operation, I'm not seeing Kato having any advantages or market dominance anymore with engines. This is at least the case with freight locos, passenger stuff only has the lead due to the fact they are the only one making Amtrak stuff.

What has become more than a passing fade in the n scale market:

Highly detailed engines
Factory DCC, and sound options
Prototype specific details/versions 

Re-releasing the previous Dash 9's in NS paint doesn't check off any of the above.

[nsbob]

Karl:
I appreciate your opinion but I think you could have omitted your last sentence and not called me ludicrous.  Unlike some members who have left this forum, I have a thick skin and can tolerate negative comments.  I don't post very much, but when I do, I seem to have a least one member ridicule my post.   I'm not going to let such comments from other members convince me to leave this forum, but I will think long and hard before I post my opinions for awhile.
NSBob

[wazzou]

...not called me ludicrous. 

Yeah, I'm not certain that is what happened here.

[tom mann]

@nsbob am I missing something? Was something edited?

Edit: I see it now. I don’t read any personal attack by Karl here. Maybe a strongly worded counter argument, but not a personal attack against you. PM me if you disagree.

[ek2000]

ST's response on GEVO availability.

"We are looking for these to be available after the first of the year.  We should have a more definitive time frame soon."

[MK]

Maybe by Amherst???

[ek2000]

Good callout. I think they may try to make it for the show.

[EspeeGoldenState]

Kato also did 2 #'s on the BNSF H2 C44-9W (the late model, detailed for BNSF) - probably the single largest fleet of a loco in one paint scheme (NS C44-9W close behind.  There is no rhyme or reason to their production decisions....  ???

I wish Kato would rerun those BNSF C44-9Ws in Heritage I paint with the correct ditch lights. Like you said, there is no rhyme or reasoning to their production decisions. Maybe one day we will get the BNSF Dash 9s, SP AC4400CWs, and straight radiator SD70Ms.

Chris

[jagged ben]

I wish Kato would rerun those BNSF C44-9Ws in Heritage I paint with the correct ditch lights. Like you said, there is no rhyme or reasoning to their production decisions. Maybe one day we will get the BNSF Dash 9s, SP AC4400CWs, and straight radiator SD70Ms.

Chris

They would have to tool a new part for wide handrails with porch mounted ditchlights to do the H1s correctly this time.  (But how hard could that be?)   It is truly baffling they haven't run two or 4 more numbers of the H2s by now.  Instead we got a third fakebonnet.