Kato ACS-64s

[davefoxx]

Did anyone note that, in addition to the electric, that Amfleet I cars are being introduced as well?  In Phase VI though.  Hopefully, they will appear in Phase III before long.

This.  Oh, sooooo this.

DFF

[peteski]

Did anyone note that, in addition to the electric, that Amfleet I cars are being introduced as well?  In Phase VI though.  Hopefully, they will appear in Phase III before long.

Amfleet I? That's awesome!  Now, after several decades of them being the only game in town, the Bachmanns can be retired!  I also hope that they bring out Phase III paint in the future.  I suppose that if someone wants just the loco, we could split the set.

[eric220]

Did anyone note that, in addition to the electric, that Amfleet I cars are being introduced as well?  In Phase VI though.  Hopefully, they will appear in Phase III before long.

Oh my, this set just became much more interesting.

[peteski]

One thing that is not so good about the loco is that the 3D rendering seem to show a non-functional pantograph.  Kato seems to be doing that to all the U.S. electric locos.

I wouldn't mind if it didn't actually pickup electricity from the overhead (like most European models do) but it would be nice if it was at least sprung and equalized.  The 3D renderings shoe it as simply posable.  Not good.

[bbussey]

I don't think Kato ever has designed sprung/equalized N scale pantographs, not even for their Japanese prototypes.

[sundowner]

Amfleet I, think of the possibilities as Spock would say. Kato could do phase II  up to current, add some heritage cars and some  f40's to match.

[peteski]

I don't think Kato ever has designed sprung/equalized N scale pantographs, not even for their Japanese prototypes.

That is also my experience. But maybe they should join all the European manufacturers who have been making functional pantographs for probably 50 years.   We have the usual superb Kato quality but with a dummy pantograph...

Even Bachmann Acela has functioning pantos. 

[nscaler711]

Ah but the Acelas do not actually pick up power from overhead wire though. The HHP-8s do though, and I have ran both of mine on it.
But as I have said elsewhere Im quitting the hobby if they release a Acela too... My love between SF superfleets and Amtrak are equal, and I'd be torn if I had to pick. Lol.

[mcjaco]

Did anyone note that, in addition to the electric, that Amfleet I cars are being introduced as well?  In Phase VI though.  Hopefully, they will appear in Phase III before long.

It's right there with the pricing of the two units in the set with four Amfleet I's....does anyone read anymore??? 

I may pick up a couple of Amfleet I's in Phase III should/when they come out.  I really hope this Kato Amtrak love affair means that the likelihood of Horizon cars is more than plausible. 

[ljudice]

Interestingly, the Kato SBB Re460 and other EUROPEAN true-Katos  (not Hobbytrain)  DO have working pantos....

So it's a market issue, not a technology thing.

[bbussey]

And also a cost/price-point issue.  A combination of the two probably.  The European market is accustomed to the higher price points and the higher-end models.  The American market would welcome the higher-end detail, but would balk at the required price bump.

[peteski]

Ah but the Acelas do not actually pick up power from overhead wire though.

That's fine. With DCC there are not really compelling reasons to power the overhead wire. But if catenary is installed it is still nice to see the panto's pickup shoe actually touching and following the wire.

[Ngineer]

Did anyone note that, in addition to the electric, that Amfleet I cars are being introduced as well?

IMHO that's the real news. IF they are prototypical, they could be used with the F40PH in Phase III, couldn't they?

When (wich year) were they, Amfleet I cars, introduced?

I already have two Amfleet II cars in the Phase III paint scheme. Were they ever mixed, i.e. Amfleet I and II in one train?

Javier

[ljudice]

I must say,  if Kato ever did AEM7's and some NEC EMU's it would get interesting....

[sundowner]

When (wich year) were they, Amfleet I cars, introduced?

1975 in phase II paint.