New tooled loco from Kato coming....

[Specter3]

Victor

I have seen those and contemplated the swap of chassis, but I simply hate throwing away half a model that I have to pay a decent amount of money for. I have not followed lately but those things used to run $90-100. If they start wandering down into the $60 range then it might be a different story. I would love a price point of a good chassis at say $70. Then by the time you get the rest of the parts and a casting you are looking at a sub $200 decently correct model which I think would be ok with a lot of people. 

[victor miranda]

ah a good thread drift...

I agree that tossing out most of a model is frustrating.
and at 70 dollars it may seem on the pricey side.

... there is no known alternative for most modelers.
what happens to the price of a compiled (a kit of parts from a few different models)
is pretty frightening.
the price of most n-scale plastic models is often quite a bit less.
and if you include the time you will spend assembling and fitting to
get your kit going you begin to see value in any pre-made n-scale loco.
(assuming it runs as well at that c55)

a c55 chassis will save you a great deal of time and effort
if you want a nice runner under a minitrix k4 shell.
Or any other 80 inch drivered steamer.
and the price is somewhat dear,
and less than a brass kit that will need a tune-up.

I knew I should bought it at 80 bucks...

victor

[reinhardtjh]

I knew I should bought it at 80 bucks...

victor

Looks like you did the smart thing.  Or else no on e here dared bid against you. 

[victor miranda]

...
I got it.   I am surprised.

it is the start of another minitrix-K4 conversion.

I suppose I should finish the first one.

victor

[sirenwerks]

The new loco will be this:



Guess what it is?  (Pre-AEM7 Swedish test loaner)

[peteski]

Swedish meatball? 

[basementcalling]

That's an electric toaster I think.

[nkalanaga]

I've heard the "Swedish Meatball" nickname often, but thought the "Toasters" were the GE motors?

In any case, not a bad choice for them.  They make the GG1 and Amtrak's newest electric, so why not the one in the middle?

[strummer]

...
I got it.   I am surprised.

it is the start of another minitrix-K4 conversion.

I suppose I should finish the first one.

victor

Will look forward to seeing what you come up with...

Mark in Oregon

[delamaize]

That be the Test loco from Sweden, before the AEM7....

I didn't cheat either!

[sirenwerks]

That be the Test loco from Sweden, before the AEM7....

I didn't cheat either!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

In all, I love the 60s-70s Euro loco designs (except the French)  I especially like the Soviet stuff, often with that big red star plaque on the front.

[nscaler711]

Damn... If it really is that....
Why can't someone make a AEM-7... They are the K4s of Amtrak in N it seems...

[Mark5]

Damn... If it really is that....
Why can't someone make a AEM-7...

Nah. Apparently, nobody models Amtrak NE Corridor, otherwise peeps would be crying for AEM7s and Color Position Lights (and catenary) ...

[nscaler711]

Nah. Apparently, nobody models Amtrak NE Corridor, otherwise peeps would be crying for AEM7s and Color Position Lights (and catenary) ...

I would! Even under wire cat too! The HHP-8s are capable of it too!!
But who am I? Nobody.   
But I do know people crying for AEM-7s, basically all the Amtrak modelers... Lol... We also need a better E60... Lol...
And a better Acela... Really shocked Kato didn't jump on it... Since they love underwire super fast trains...

[Englewood]

I would love to see a Kato Acela. I think it's just a matter of time.