Kato C44-9 shells on sale

[Scottl]

This may not be news for some, but Kato is selling undecorated shells for $5.  I ordered a few and they come complete with handrails, plow, glass etc and the price is $32 on the package.  Only $6 shipping to Canada (North America, actually), very civil of them.

Not all varieties are on sale, but might be worth looking at if you want a spare or two in the parts box.  I bought a pair for more CN Canadian Cab conversions, so now my "noodle-swoosh" will live on.

[Smike]

Did I just read that right? 5 clams for shell with handrails etc... ?

What a steal. Ordering up.. thanks for the tip.

[nscalemike]

This may not be news for some, but Kato is selling undecorated shells for $5.  I ordered a few and they come complete with handrails, plow, glass etc and the price is $32 on the package.  Only $6 shipping to Canada (North America, actually), very civil of them.

Not all varieties are on sale, but might be worth looking at if you want a spare or two in the parts box.  I bought a pair for more CN Canadian Cab conversions, so now my "noodle-swoosh" will live on.

Scott,

What is the model that is closest to the CN version?  I may pick up a couple too.

Thanks, 
Mike

[Scottl]

I had to order a few to figure out if they came complete, and they did, so it is a great deal.  They are actually dark gray plastic, compared to the BNSF version I stripped and turned out to be a white plastic.

Since I'm cutting off the cab to put on a CN version, the main variations (number boards, windows, Gullwing) don't seem to matter.  I'm not aware of any other body differences, but I bought both 5 and 6 stair versions.  I know there are some fuel tank differences and other minor details on the first generation CN units (four window Canadian cab), but they are not on any of the Kato models.

[esa123]

Where's the link to it? I've needed some for quite a while but can't find the listing?

Thanks,
Erik

[bbussey]

Go to the Kato USA site and look under parts.  All the body variations are on sale for $5.

[Scottl]

I recall there was one at full price ($32 or $34), which is why I was not sure what my $5 would buy.

[sundowner]

I recall there was one at full price ($32 or $34), which is why I was not sure what my $5 would buy.

Full price is the retool version, $5 is the original 1994 version.

[Scottl]

Ahh, that I was not aware of.  Need to look closely at the differences.  That explains the different colour of plastic for the undecorated models.

[ednadolski]

Full price is the retool version, $5 is the original 1994 version.

Is the 1994 shell compatible with the rest of the re-tooled model?  Lighting, underframe, & fuel tanks are all different, IIRC.

Ed

[Philip H]

Wish they had either run of SD40-2 Shells.  I want to do a KCS in grey, but not looking forward to trying to strip the Kato shell I have.

[Scottl]

Just tried it.  It fit on my new underframe with no issues, but it is different.  The main difference (part 921350) is the ditch lights which are below the platform.  I ordered some fuel tanks too, not sure if they fit or not, but wanted them in case I went hard core on the Canadian detailing.

[Catt]

Scottl,you may already know this but incase you don't the December 1997 Model Railroading has a article on a HO scale CN Dash 9 44CW.

[Scottl]

Thanks, strangely I have a copy of it (the only issue I ever bought).  A great article and modelling effort, even if it is in HO.

I tried to do an n-scale version over the winter and was not fully satisfied with the result:



I subsequently painted the underframe, fuel tank and trucks a more suitable colour (please ignore the surface reflections of the gloss paint).  I'm keen to do a second and improve some aspects, hence collecting some spare shells.

[lock4244]

Scott,

What is the model that is closest to the CN version?  I may pick up a couple too.

Thanks, 
Mike

The Kato C44-9W is a pretty early version, IIRC, and is likely patterned after the ATSF units in the 600-699 series, though it also resembles the CN&W. CN C44-9WL's 2500-2522 are also early (late 1994) and are similar, however beyond the obvious cab, the CN units came with single rear headlights and lack the AC unit behind the cab on the conductor's side. The vertical intakes beneath the radiators are different as well, with the Kato model being uniform while the CN units and later units from other roads are staggered. And the battery box covers on the conductors side different, too.