Kato Heritage ACe's announced

[Robbman]

Well this is going to be interesting, Kato will have tooling for 2004 and 2012 but FVM will have tooling to cover 2004-2011 (2012 too possibly) along with the SD70M-2 and rear ditch lights. Who to choose?

Something tells me I need to do a SD70ACe/SD70M-2 phase primer...

[OHCR 4218]

Has anyone seen my wallet, I think it ran away.

[sundowner]

The Wabash and Erie unit are to hard to resist. Hope they also do correct GEVOs, need the parts to fix my CSX unit.

[TrainReign]

Something tells me I need to do a SD70ACe/SD70M-2 phase primer...

Would like to see aSD70ACe/SD70M-2 phase primer.

[rogergperkins]

Even though I do not model the era, I purchased 3 of the SD70 ACe's in CSX paint scheme with DCC decoders.
They run very nicely in consist and are delightful performers running smoothly at low speeds.   
I would like to see them run on a large n-track layout.

[sd75i]

  Will the KATO Heritage SD70ACE's have rear working ditchlights?

dave t

[jagged ben]

  Will the KATO Heritage SD70ACE's have rear working ditchlights?

dave t

I'm pretty sure the answer is no.

[Bob Horn]

Why not, they have everything but the light tubes already? Could be a surprise.

[Leggy]

They are doing new tooling so who knows, they may actually surprise us for once.

[Pennsy]

I'm curious how does everyone rate the FVM models versus the Kato? I only have the FVM Hiawatha, but a lot of Kato diesels though no SD70's.

[ljudice]

I think opinions vary...   First of all the FVM SD70ACE's are not out yet - but comparing Kato and FVM GEVOs,  FVM has done more variations and a lot more paint schemes.  I think they have an edge in overall painting and lettering accuracy - however they have also done some rather funky colors on their BNSF models.  Kato seems to have an edge in the smooth mechanism and very consistent, high quality build.

One thing is that Kato's SD70ACE's use their new, shock absorbed frame, which I am not a big fan of.

Overall, it's probably a tie, but it really depends on the specific model you want and whether either of them or neither of them rendered it correctly.

[jagged ben]

Why not, they have everything but the light tubes already? Could be a surprise.

They'd also need a new main walkway piece and rear walkway insert.

Do you really think it'd be a surprise?  I think if they'd gone to the trouble they'd have put it in the announcement.

[Smike]

Tweet from Kato: Sneak Peek of upcoming changes.

No word on the rear ditchlights, but we know the front end is looking close to proto:

[peteski]

Tweet from Kato: Sneak Peek of upcoming changes.

No word on the rear ditchlights, but we know the front end is looking close to proto:

I wonder this is the result of the gentleman from Kato taking closeup photos of the FVM's prototype models at the last Springfield show.  He was very impressed with all the variations on the FVM models.  Do we have some friendly competition brewing between Kato and FVM? 

[ednadolski]

Do we have some friendly competition brewing between Kato and FVM? 

I just wish Kato would leave off the molded-on grabirons.....

Ed