Kato's iconic models

[Dave V]

Lee makes a good point about my "2-track broad way of commerce."  I'm not the first guy to divide the Middle Divison by two...  I sure wish I had room for the 4 tracks.  My concession is that I don't give the towns real place names (although I've had several different plans to convert them to real towns).  The very fact that I've made such a compromise on the number of tracks makes me more willing to swallow the other projects that are only close-to-correct (i.e., my foobie kitbashed steamers that are only 80% there).

My reason for picking the Middle Division is personal (I went to Penn State and followed the line up US322 from H'burg countless times and fell in love with it).  But I'd probably be more believable calling it something else.

Oddly enough, the only Pennsy line I have more attachment to is the Philadelphia Division.  I rode (coach class, of course!) the Broadway Limited to New York on more than one occasion from Lancaster station.

Two things heretofore made modeling that in N scale a pretty impractical:  the lack of decent N scale electric locos and the problem of PRR-style catenary.

Well, betwen the new Kato GG1 and the Tomix JNR EF15 painted to look like a PRR FF2, modeling the Main Line through Lancaster County is suddenly more do-able.

P5a anyone?  Anyone?  Help!

The "big one" (i.e., the layout I build after I retire in 8 years) will be PRR, and will have the right number of tracks!  My only major, major problem is deciding to do one particular line (i.e., the Middle Division for real), or do a "Vignettes of the Pennsy" layout with some under catenary, some not (but 2-4 track mains accordingly).

Thanks to Kato, I have more possibilities!

[up1950s]

I think Kato is , like all manufacturers driven by the dollar . Not any icon . Whatever they feel will make a buck . If there is any icon , it's the USA West , as in the great open places . Something Japan has little of and must admire IMO . Not only do they cut in half the USA choices to model , except the GG1 , they then cut in half the research books they have to purchase to get the info needed to make the models . Having said that , I wouldn't be shocked if a 20th Century Limited didn't come around the mountain . The GG1 might be a sign that the West was milked enough to have limited its choices . Frankly , I hope they do the UP small turbines , but thats just me .

[nscalesteve]

Frankly , I hope they do the UP small turbines , but thats just me .

but that would be sad for you Richie, as you wont buy any Kato products anymore... 

[up1950s]

I will sell my soul to the devil for those . ;D

[tom mann]

I think that Ed has nailed Kato's way of thinking.  Maybe we'll see Kato Little Joes afterall?

[asciibaron]

i own no Kato.  Ed's theory makes perfect sense as seen in my real world 1967 PRR layout.

Kato can stuff it.

-steve

[Mark5]

I think Kato is , like all manufacturers driven by the dollar . Not any icon . Whatever they feel will make a buck .

I disagree. They have lots of models that could sell if they simply offered them.

NS C40(44)-9W
SD40-2 in XYZ roadnames
SD40 in XYZ roadnames (well, they did offer Algoma Central)
F7 in XYZ roadnames

Combine this with the fact that they either are "sitting on" tooling or have been sitting on tooling runs quite counter to the "make a buck" theory.

I think Kato's slumbering is what convinced IM to go head to head on the F units.

Trying to explain the "logic" behind Kato defies logic. :

[bsoplinger]

But those models would sell well here but probably not in Japan. And I really do think the offerings we get are designed with the Japanese market in mind with USA as a complete afterthought just like Ed's commentary suggests.

After all, why not expand the Unitrack line to be more prototypically American? Its a good seller now and I think even more folk would use it if it looked 'righter'

But it wouldn't mean anything to the Japanese market, so its not sold.

[Mark5]

But those models would sell well here but probably not in Japan. And I really do think the offerings we get are designed with the Japanese market in mind with USA as a complete afterthought just like Ed's commentary suggests.

After all, why not expand the Unitrack line to be more prototypically American? Its a good seller now and I think even more folk would use it if it looked 'righter'

But it wouldn't mean anything to the Japanese market, so its not sold.

Still runs counter to the "make a buck" theory.

[John]

Penn State - thats that little school north of here that don't teach the Norwegian model .. right

[michel]

Ed,
You're obviously a smart guy and a very good writer and you certainly used those skills to craft a seemingly convincing editorial about Kato.

As someone who has worked in lived in Japan for more than 15 years, though, I can state that you are completely off base with Kato's motivations.  Kato sells tons of different Nscale products in Japan, but you almost never ever see their US based models in hobby shops nor do you see ads for these models in hobby magazines.  I seem to recall seeing a few F units when they first came out years ago, but thats about it.  I just can't imagine that they are thinking of Japanese modelers when they plan their US products if they don't really sell them here in Japan.

I also think you're heading into uncharted waters when you start generalizing and stereotyping about Japanese companies - you're probably a bit out of your league there.

But I do agree with you that a lot of their product choices and certainly road name choices are a bit strange - iconic, if you really want to to go there.

Generally I dig the higher level writing and dialogue you've got going about the hobby - I do think its needed - but I'd urge you to be a bit careful in your assumptions and stereotypes. 

cheers,
Michel

[wm3798]

I have this image in my mind of Ed out on a limb, and Michel wielding a saw... ;D

Lee

[Bob Bufkin]

You honestly think Ed can even climb a tree?

[up1950s]

Fruit for risk .

[Ryan87]

I think that Ed has nailed Kato's way of thinking.  Maybe we'll see Kato Little Joes afterall?

Kato Little Joes with the Olympian Hiawatha... Hmmm...
How bout a Canadian Pacific / Via "Canadian" that would be iconic.