Kato Tweets E5 pic. I'm officially concerned.

[bbussey]

Kato sent the official email about 20 minutes ago.  Must be heavy activity because the thumbnail links in the email took forever to load.  Here are the big pics:

http://www.katousa.com/N/SilverStreak/pics/GlamourShot.jpg
http://www.katousa.com/N/SilverStreak/pics/SilverBullet-Side.jpg
http://www.katousa.com/N/SilverStreak/pics/SilverSpeed-Side.jpg
http://www.katousa.com/N/SilverStreak/pics/Roofs.jpg
http://www.katousa.com/N/SilverStreak/pics/CouplerConnections.jpg
http://www.katousa.com/N/SilverStreak/pics/Loco+Car.jpg

One E5A and six car set.  Also two additional E5A units sold separately.  The set box will hold all nine pieces.  October delivery.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That's really pretty. I have no desire to order one, but I sure won't cringe when I see them running around on peoples layouts.

[CBQ Fan]

I am in for the set and both engines!

[seusscaboose]

I am in for the set and both engines!

+1
I will even give ya dibs on running them Ed

[up1950s]

" Must be heavy activity because the thumbnail links in the email took forever to load "

Same with your big shots . So far I have not seen either .

[Zox]

I can't believe I can actually contribute to this thread! 

The unit at the Illinois Railway Museum, 9911-A, definitely has painted-on or stickered-on pseudo-grilles around the upper headlight:


http://photos.lordzox.com/index.php?album=birthday-trip-2011/illinois-railway-museum&image=img_0289.jpg

Direct link to really big version of photo: http://photos.lordzox.com/albums/birthday-trip-2011/illinois-railway-museum/img_0289.jpg

There's a hatch that runs right through the middle of the "grille" on either side.

Another nose-on (and sideways, sorry) shot: http://photos.lordzox.com/index.php?album=birthday-trip-2011/illinois-railway-museum&image=img_0291.jpg

[EspeeGoldenState]

I keep trying to justify the need of wanting one. But unfortunately, just because, doesn't work for me anymore. Though its hard to pass on.

[Vince Gortner]

Isn't the nose cast as one piece anyway?






* ducks and covers*

Oh no....     I was thinking it just a couple seconds before I read your post.   Cringing.   Waiting for that argument to flare up again...   and there it is!

Hilarious...   

[Mark5]

Kato sent the official email about 20 minutes ago.  Must be heavy activity because the thumbnail links in the email took forever to load.  Here are the big pics:

http://www.katousa.com/N/SilverStreak/pics/GlamourShot.jpg

Looks pretty sweet! Its a shame that Kato still can't seem to figure out a way to minimize the mold lines on the nose though. 

[peteski]

I was finally able to connect to Kato's website and check out the photos (thanks Bryan!)

To me the shape of the nose looks ok (but I'm no expert).
The shell's detailing is as expected from Kato -spectacular!
Looks like they modeled the nose grilles as separate plates.
I also highly applaud that they modeled a working hide-away front coupler. That loco looks so much better with the coupler tucked away!  Too bad that Kato didn't do the same on their 4-8-4 GS-4s. Those could also use this feature.
The "Stainless steel" paint also looks very realistic (has a nice warm tone to it).
It was good of Kato to model both shrouded and un-shrouded trucks. Another kudos for Kato!

This is also where I see a shortcoming. The truck shrouds should be the same stainless steel color as the body. But since the shrouds appear to be molded with the truck sideframes, they have are unpainted (bluish-silver) plastic. That to me sticks out like a sore thumb!  And of course if someone would like to painting the shrouds to match them to the body shell, they will have really hard time trying to match the tone and sheen of the paint Kato used on their bodies. 

As far as the mold parting lines on the nose go, they don't bother me much. I guess I just learned to accept the fact that there are limitations when molding complex-curved pieces like that. And I don't see Kato having someone on the assembly line sand the nose smooth on every shell before it is painted! At least not for the price they will be selling them for.

[Mark5]

As far as the mold parting lines on the nose go, they don't bother me much. I guess I just learned to accept the fact that there are limitations when molding complex-curved pieces like that. And I don't see Kato having someone on the assembly line sand the nose smooth on every shell before it is painted! At least not for the price they will be selling them for.

That's cool. But I must point out that the Intermountain F noses don't have 'em. 

[SkipGear]

They could minimize the mold line by hiding it in the rivet line just below it. There are ways around it.

[peteski]

They could minimize the mold line by hiding it in the rivet line just below it. There are ways around it.

Tony, unless you are a mold-maker, you can't be sure that this would be possible. On such complex shapes there might be a physical limitation which forces them to lay out their molds the way they are. I honestly think that if it was possible to hide those parting lines, they would have done it.  They do that in other areas of their molds.

[arbomambo]

I have never been disappointed in a Kato model...especially in the accurate shape category...this one continues with that tradition!
An incredibly beautiful effort, and I believe the latest photos should put 'to rest' the concerns with the 'nose' contours!
absolutely beautiful...AND in more than one number/name...
I'm not a Burlington (CB&Q) modeller, but I'll buy this set for the historical significance AND the just plain beauty of this loco and consist!
Well done, Kato!
Bruce

[NorsemanJack]

I have never been disappointed in a Kato model...especially in the accurate shape category...this one continues with that tradition!
An incredibly beautiful effort, and I believe the latest photos should put 'to rest' the concerns with the 'nose' contours!
absolutely beautiful...AND in more than one number/name...
I'm not a Burlington (CB&Q) modeller, but I'll buy this set for the historical significance AND the just plain beauty of this loco and consist!
Well done, Kato!
Bruce

Possibly, the best post in this thread so far.  These will sell like hot cakes.  For those who insist on inventing reasons that these aren't the best N scale release this year, well.......as the saying goes....you snooze you lose.