Kato Gevo

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh, and when was the last SD45 from Kato?

I don't know, but I think that SD45's were still operating on Class 1's when Kato last offered their little gem!

Hell, I'm pretty sure they were still rolling out of LaGrange.

And yeah, there might be a number of the previous run floating around out there, but that could just as easily reflect poor production planning, (I know, let's make 10,000 Algoma Central units!) as it is lack of demand. There IS only finite demand, but if Kato doesn't understand the difference between an SD40 and an SD40-2, then they really should find another industry to work in.

[ljudice]

re: Kato announcing a model already being made by someone else...

It's been essentially on their website in two different locations for at least 4-5 months now!

Over on Nscale.net they are saying the the GEVO saga in some strange way has an PWRS entanglement, anyone know anything about that?

[asarge]

I've always wondered why everything here has to be some kind of conspiracy theory! They're announced, they're coming. Who gives a rat's butt why? The good news is there will be 2 choices for some roads. The bad news, it's likely that for some clowns, neither will be good enough, but there won;t be a third option. I'd still bet on Matt hands down.

[Bob Bufkin]

Got a reply from Matt.

Hello,

Sorry for the delay as I am still catching up from a few weeks overseas. CSX GEVO's are on the "to do" list. I do not have a firm timeframe yet, but more info should be available soon. Thanks.

Best regards,

Matt

[oakcreekco]

I've always wondered why everything here has to be some kind of conspiracy theory! They're announced, they're coming. Who gives a rat's butt why? The good news is there will be 2 choices for some roads. The bad news, it's likely that for some clowns, neither will be good enough, but there won;t be a third option. I'd still bet on Matt hands down.

Clowns I didn't think that we had any of those hanging around here :

Matt is certainly putting in the time to make things happen, and I'm sure that Kato's announcement is on his mind, but I'm betting that it won't derail him either.

A new quality loco from a small company can still do well in the market.

[Matt G]

re: Kato announcing a model already being made by someone else...

It's been essentially on their website in two different locations for at least 4-5 months now!

Over on Nscale.net they are saying the the GEVO saga in some strange way has an PWRS entanglement, anyone know anything about that?

Ahhh, the fun of forums, lots of speculation -

Not sure why Kato was entitled to the GEVO, sure they have a motor and wheels and certainly could have made one, but they choose the SD70ACE. I knew someone wanted to do this model (was my first choice too) and  decided to announce a GEVO. Not only did I announce it, I showed it to everybody, in actual 3D that you could pick up and hold, in June, in Portland. Now, if you want facts (that can be backed up by most in attendance BTW) EVERYONE from the Kato booth spent considerable time at the FVM booth, including my friend Hiroshi. Collectively they spent well over an hour studying and taking several dozen photos. Similar behavior at NMRA in Hartford. Now in a rush, they announce GEVO's, but  with no details at all. So FVM has an actual model well before any hint from Kato, they study my models - take photos (of an actual product), and now announce it. You could say they are copying an existing model. And why, they could have done another unit. It's all Ok though. They made a specific choice to proceed and we will both do just fine. No hard feelings to my friends there as I expected this. Still a fan and still purchase their products. Even help promote them (did anyone even wonder who sent the info out of iHobby?) 

And now there is a PWRS entanglement? Cool! Gotta like rumors. Did they lobby (along with lots of customers) for a low number board version? Sure. They even helped persuade me to make one (as seen earlier in this thread - details and roads soon). I've had the drawings for a few months now, but alas, it all belongs to FVM. It was going to be announced this winter, but now y'all have a sneak peek. (BTW U 18, adding this new cab, combined with the other parts will bring this loco to 9 different versions).

So there's the fact check for today. More details on future roads soon. But for now, have to get back to work on the next big thing, details soon.

Best regards,

Matt

[lock4244]

I've no use for GEVO's, but I'm betting on Matt as well. He has a good track record so far, but more importantly, I think he understands the mind of the North Americal modeler better than Kato and I suspect his releases will be somewhat less glacial in their spacing. Though Kato knows how to make a great loco, they do not cater to the needs of the NA mindset... they have a U30C, C30-7, and SD45 that they have (IMO) simply wasted, and an SD40-2 that isn't far behind.

I've stated here before that a modular approach is what is needed to do the SD40-2 right. I know nothing about molding technology, but I can't believe a modular approach isn't possible to make interchangable mold parts, and thus produce road specific units. DB, non-DB, chicken wire or corrogated, 81", 88" or 102" nose (or whatever they measure out to, I'm not RM), etc. I think FVM should have done the SD40-2 first so they can effortlessly walk away with the entire SD40-2 market... given Matt's post above, maybe they will? If that is the case, I'd love to let Matt know that CP has some mighty fine SD40-2's!

[sirenwerks]

I've always wondered why everything here has to be some kind of conspiracy theory!

LOL Let's face it PWRS has a sort of Knights of the Templar mist around them. I still haven't figured out their corporate structure. It's, by description, part nonprofit and part for-profit, with a bit of ponzi scheme thrown in. Secret midnight marketing calls and Kanuk nationalistic model releases. They're fun to poke fun at, if nothing else. Move over Harvey, PWRS is a pooka for the 2000s, only a more sinister version, like in Donnie Darko.

[John]

I've always wondered why everything here has to be some kind of conspiracy theory!

Lets just clarify .. ljuidice reported on a PWRS conspiracy theory on nscale.net ... we had no PWRS conspiracy theory here ..

We are speculating about how long Ed will go before he needs a bacon bypass

[Ryan87]

Now in a rush, they announce GEVO's, but  with no details at all.

I don't think kato announced this in a rush they usually are a little "vague" with their announcements....

[GaryHinshaw]

Dear Matt and Kato-san:

Whoever brings out the ES44DC in BNSF/H3 first, I'll buy it.  Whoever brings it out second, I'll buy it.

Peace and love,
Gary

[lock4244]

Now in a rush, they announce GEVO's, but  with no details at all.

I don't think kato announced this in a rush they usually are a little "vague" with their announcements....

I don't know, doesn't Kato tend to announce after the models are on the boat? Maybe Matt is correct.

[ljudice]

This is too ridiculous to make up:

http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?p=127246

[ljudice]

And Matt -

Don't get mad at me - I have 42 of your freight cars and about 20 on order and I love them - and have gotten one dealer to carry them...

I'm a loyal fan of your stuff - and Kato's!!!

[GaryHinshaw]

Lou, how do we know you're not really DrifterNL, the way you keep shifting that avatar.  

-Gary