Kato Trainfest announcement! YAS!

[sd45elect2000]

Sadly the life of the Erie built engines on West coast runs was very short 1947-1950. Maybe Kato made the right choice by doing the FP-7 post 1952 trains.

The coach touralux cars were removed in late 1948 and another car making it possible to split the five three unit sets into ten two unit sets with the purchase of four more late model Erie builts. It's confusing..

Sometimes an F-7 Hudson pulled the train to Minneapolis from Chicago, sometimes the E-7s were used between Chicago and Minneapolis.  Lots of opportunity for locomotive variety on this one!

As Bill said , the engines in the Western Ave. passenger pool , including the Erie built were painted UP yellow in 1955, by 1957 the rest of the fleet was painted. The train only lasted 4 years in UP yellow.

I bought the Railway Classics sets for the 1948 train, the one with the light grey roofs and no superdome, that scheme only lasted 3 years 1947-1950.

 The entire lifespan of the Olympian Hiawatha was 14 years......

Randy

[CBQ Fan]

How long will the wait be for a UP painted version from Kato?

[AlbertSpor]

With regards to an add-on package, for a 2 car add-on, I would think another coach and touralux, would be appropiate, since most consists had 3 coaches and 2 touralux cars. However a nice 4 car addition, would also include a baggage express and a mail express car. There are more than a few photos, showing the extra headend cars, especially in the Morning Sun Pacific Extension book. Granted these photos were probably after the Columbian was cancelled, but the additional cars would still be nice to have.

Thanks
Albert SPor

[wcfn100]

Kato has posted the artwork for the cars.

http://katousa.com/N/Hiawatha/index.html

Jason

[MRLX1020]

Dear Kato:

Please take the time to tool the correct triple axle Nystrom design trucks for the dome - the UP/ATSF OSH disc trucks, while close, means that you only scored 85% for effort on this project.

BTW, the domes can also be offered in CN, VIA, CNW, NCDOT and perhaps a few other legitimate schemes to make the proper truck tooling worth it.

I am not an MILW modeler, but a passenger car geek and this was the first thing I noticed when looking at the artwork.

Thank you!

MRLX1020

[wes_sutton]

Dear Kato,

I wouldn't know a triple axle Nystrom design truck if I was lying between the tracks and it ran over the top of me.

I give you 10/10 for going ahead with this project

[peteski]

Wow!  Very impressive set!  And I'm sure it will be to made to the usual Kato standards.  I don't model Milwaukee but I might just have to pick up this unique set.

[w neal]

How long will the wait be for a UP painted version from Kato?

 Have faith brother. All in good time. Just keep saving.

[skytop35]

Not a fan of that big gap between the trucks and the carbody.

[jmlaboda - RIP]

BTW, the domes can also be offered in CN, VIA, CNW, NCDOT and perhaps a few other legitimate schemes to make the proper truck tooling worth it.

Legitimate like Amtrak... though some detail differences exist on the later cars (Phase III 9310-series)...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mbernero/24033890726
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/amtk9381.jpg
http://rr-fallenflags.org/amtk/amtk-co9381jpa.jpg
http://rr-fallenflags.org/amtk/amtk-l9311amh.jpg

Kinda easy to forget that some did serve under Amtrak...

You can also add Holland America (Alaska excursions), Napa Valley Wine Train and Reading Blue Mountain & Northern...

http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/halx50.jpg
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1096206
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=541103

[X-calibr-8]

And one still in service

http://media.amtrak.com/2016/09/great-dome-car-returns-to-adirondack-service-4/

[wcfn100]

And one still in service

http://media.amtrak.com/2016/09/great-dome-car-returns-to-adirondack-service-4/

That's  a Great Northern car.

Jason

[Mark5]

I don't take the artwork too seriously, I mean if you believe the art work this will be Kato's first EMD bulldog without that annoying tooling line on the nose!

But seriously, this train is so different I just might pick up a set.

Mark

[CBQ Fan]

Have faith brother. All in good time. Just keep saving.

Cool!!

[jmlaboda - RIP]

And one still in service

http://media.amtrak.com/2016/09/great-dome-car-returns-to-adirondack-service-4/

That's  a Great Northern car.

Yep, its the Budd knock-off...