Will Kato Hammer our wallets again?

[peteski]

Whilest I certainly appreciate the seemingly wonderful job Kato did on their FEF I have no need for one; indeed; Kato has produced little, if anything since their last release of SD45's that has even drawn my attention.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I had no need for the FEF and yet I picked one up.  I wonder how many more are statistically modelers like me compared to modelers like you.

[Puddington]

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I had no need for the FEF and yet I picked one up.  I wonder how many more are statistically modelers like me compared to modelers like you.

Interesting question; I suspect disposable income drives a significant percentage of non-home road purchases - except for the fact that there is an "unknown" number of N scaler consumers that are either "run whatever I like" types or collectors; an approach that is just as valid a strategy as any other. I might appreciate a let's say UP SD90 model for it's execution but it doesn't fit my era, geography or road so it gets no purchase consideration.

[CBQ Fan]

I picked up the FEF and water bottles because:

A) it is just cool
B) it will hold its value and most likely increase
C) I am using it to pull the COLA, which I will know make some cringe, while freeing up my E unit quartet for other assignments

Since I run passenger trains as my main focus I find most of what Kato does to be interesting!

[Wardie]

I model the Maine Central and connecting roads and I bought a California Zephyr and DRGW set of PA's, and a Broadway Limited with a GG-1. I almost bought a Super Chief. when I got started in N scale Mike Danneman's little DRGW layout was quite often featured in the press, and the first Great Model Railroads (1996) I bought had Dick Elwell's Hoosac Valley followed by an N scale DRGW layout. If I was going to model a western road I think it would be the DRGW. But that inspired me to pick up the CZ set with the DRGW power.

The Broadway Limited has more to do with my Grandfather's interest in Railroads around the mid-atlantic states from his college years, and the fact that they did the GG-1 as opposed to a New Haven Electric.

They will probably manage to find iconic trains that will interest lots of people even if they don't model that road/era because it does have ties to memories and interests.

[EspeeGoldenState]

I picked up the FEF and water bottles because:

A) it is just cool
B) it will hold its value and most likely increase
C) I am using it to pull the COLA, which I will know make some cringe, while freeing up my E unit quartet for other assignments

Since I run passenger trains as my main focus I find most of what Kato does to be interesting!

Considering the CoLA set has 9 cars that are still viable for use in today's train. I bought a CoLA just for that reason. And it's possible that the other 2 cars will be useable as well here soon, as UP just bought 4 ex AOE nee UP sleepers for the excursion fleet. They are currently at Metro East Industries in St Louis for rebuilding and then they will be shipped to Mid America Car in Kansas City, MO for painting and final work.

Chris

[oakcreekco]

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I had no need for the FEF and yet I picked one up.  I wonder how many more are statistically modelers like me compared to modelers like you.

I have no need for the FEF either, but have seen it live numerous times, running through the Platte River Valley, and a couple of times taking a break. This was the last steam loco that my dad and I saw together before he passed.

No need for one, but I bought one, and it just arrived today. I'll run it tonight to see how she operates, and I'm sure that it'll get a lot of hours of running time if it runs as good as it looks.

[nstars]

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I had no need for the FEF and yet I picked one up.  I wonder how many more are statistically modelers like me compared to modelers like you.

I guess I'm one of the modelers who didn't go for the FEF despite the fact me and my brother like steam very much. The reason for this choice is quite simple, as Pennsy fans we don't need the FEF but we do need the M1 (from BLI) and the L1 (from GHB). So Kato won't hammer our wallet. As a matter of fact, we haven't bought a Kato locomotive in years except for an older PA1 from Ebay which fitted very nice with my A-B set. 

Marc