Kato does the East Coast!

[reinhardtjh]

Just got this email from Kato.

New from Kato USA

N Scale EMD SD80MAC

Conrail

Norfolk Southern

Coming Spring 2025

Kato USA is excited to announce another run of N scale EMD SD80MACs in Conrail and Norfolk Southern paint schemes!

Here's the web page

https://katousa.com/n-sd80mac/

[peteski]

Funny that in the early years, Kato wasn't East Coast averse either.  The first loco from Kato USA, GP38-2, was available in Conrail scheme, and their first model using the low-friction trucks, U30C, was available in D&H scheme (I still have both).

[reinhardtjh]

Funny that in the early years, Kato wasn't East Coast averse either.  The first loco from Kato USA, GP38-2, was available in Conrail scheme, and their first model using the low-friction trucks, U30C, was available in D&H scheme (I still have both).

Yeah, it's Friday and I just had to break out a little snark.  Unfortunately I don't really have an interest in these anymore.  A few years ago and I would have with my interest in the WNY&P and it's hosting NS unit coal trains, but that's no longer a thing and I've moved on.  ADHD strikes again.

[John]

None for me -- they didn't make one in the Maryland Midland retro scheme

[OldEastRR]

I think the U30C came in Family Line colors, too.

[pmpexpress]

I think the U30C came in Family Line colors, too.

October 1989 Releases:

Kato 176-174 U30C Chessie System 3303

Kato 176-175 U30C Delaware & Hudson 711

Kato 176-178 U30C Seaboard System 7272

October 1990 Releases:

Kato 176-206 SD40 Chessie System C&O 7551

Kato 176-207 SD40 Chessie System C&O 7557

Kato 176-209 SD40 CSX Transportation CSXT 8323

[sundowner]

You would think CSX and NS are west coast railroad with all the modern loco release by Kato.

[CBQ Fan]

Don’t both lines run into the Chicago area where Kato USA is headquartered?  Both CSX & NS run all over Indiana. I am not really sure I would consider them east coast anymore than I would consider UP west coast. Eastern and western maybe but not coastal.

[sundowner]

Don’t both lines run into the Chicago area where Kato USA is headquartered?  Both CSX & NS run all over Indiana. I am not really sure I would consider them east coast anymore than I would consider UP west coast. Eastern and western maybe but not coastal.

Don't both of them have line that parallel I-95 and serve all the port in the east, so yeah east coast, like UP and BNSF are west coast and CNKC is all coast.

[CBQ Fan]

Don't both of them have line that parallel I-95 and serve all the port in the east, so yeah east coast, like UP and BNSF are west coast and CNKC is all coast.

There is a whole lot of railroading between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. 25% of all rail traffic and 50% of all intermodal traffic go through Chicago. East coast would be like Auto Train. East coast railroad and a railroad that has routes in the east are not the same. Just my opinion.