Kato January 2017 Announcement - SD70M and AC4400CW Re-release

[James Costello]

Kato email 6th January 2017:

New Product Announcements - N Scale EMD SD70M NS & UP, GE AC4400CW UP & C&NW New Production

Back by popular demand! Kato USA will be re-issuing the N Scale EMD SD70M and GE AC4400CW this coming Spring in both DC and DCC versions! Perfect for those modelers looking for an older era alternative to the modern SD70ACe and ES44AC "GEVO" or even want something that can run alongside them!

This release will also be the first time that Kato USA will be releasing the "lightning bolt" paint scheme for the Union Pacific AC4400CW!

You can download a PDF copy of the SD70M announcement sheet by clicking the following link:
http://www.katousa.com/cgi-bin/dl/dl.pl?dl.mif,N-SD70M.January2017.pdf

You can also visit our new webpage for the N SD70M by clicking the image to the right or clicking this link:
http://www.katousa.com/N/SD70M/index.html

You can download a PDF copy of the AC4400CW announcement sheet by clicking the following link:
http://www.katousa.com/cgi-bin/dl/dl.pl?dl.mif,N-AC4400CW.January2017.pdf

You can also visit our new webpage for the N AC4400CW by clicking the image to the right or clicking this link:
http://www.katousa.com/N/AC4400CW/index.html

I got my hopes up for 5 seconds that we might, after 10 years, see a re-run of the SP SD70Ms or even one of the thousand that UP has in the most common version, but instead it's the silly "M-II" type angular cab. The classic "M" cab release is really really rare on eBay and is surely the more "in demand" version.

And speaking of overlooked Espee releases, we can't even get a foob AC4400CW in scarlet and grey!

C'mon Kato, do you even read the product request feedback you get on your website?

[Scottl]

Meh.  Still waiting for the T4 to announce 

[mu26aeh]

Wow, two whole roadnames 

[jagged ben]

Kato email 6th January 2017:

I got my hopes up for 5 seconds that we might, after 10 years, see a re-run of the SP SD70Ms or even one of the thousand that UP has in the most common version, but instead it's the silly "M-II" type angular cab. The classic "M" cab release is really really rare on eBay and is surely the more "in demand" version.

And speaking of overlooked Espee releases, we can't even get a foob AC4400CW in scarlet and grey!

C'mon Kato, do you even read the product request feedback you get on your website?

Yup.  What you said.  They'd get my money for either of those.

At least the UP paint scheme is new.  I might go for it.  In what time period would we see the wings but no flag?

[Englewood]

Now with the GP60s from Fox Valley, the SP AC4400CWs are the last engines I need. I keep holding on to hope...

[EspeeGoldenState]

Kato email 6th January 2017:

I got my hopes up for 5 seconds that we might, after 10 years, see a re-run of the SP SD70Ms or even one of the thousand that UP has in the most common version, but instead it's the silly "M-II" type angular cab. The classic "M" cab release is really really rare on eBay and is surely the more "in demand" version.

And speaking of overlooked Espee releases, we can't even get a foob AC4400CW in scarlet and grey!

C'mon Kato, do you even read the product request feedback you get on your website?

I agree I wish they would rerun more of the  original SD70Ms, heck you have 3 different UP paint "schemes" (flag, 4526-4528 flag, and current flag) you could choose from. And that's why I bought two undecorated AC4400CWs to paint up. They are close enough in my opinion, other than cab roof, haven't seen much difference, think the dynamic brake grills are right.

Yup.  What you said.  They'd get my money for either of those.

At least the UP paint scheme is new.  I might go for it.  In what time period would we see the wings but no flag?

These two units were painted early 2000s. 6717 has a pic in 2003 in yellow/gray, with the change from red to yellow sill stripe between July 2009 and November 2009. 6735 has a pic in 2003 in yellow/gray as well, with the change from red to yellow sill stripe between May 2011 and July 2011.

I've debated about getting the 6735 and decal the sill stripe to red as I prefer it and modeling time frame.

Even though these are technically reruns to them, I don't think Kato has ever done ex-CNW units in UP yellow/gray. When I first seen the CNW units, part of me was hoping they were patch jobs and true CNW units, may have to pick one up just to patch.

Chris

[sundowner]

They done the Ex-CNW repaints units before. They did 6736 in "We Will Deliver" with "Operation Lifesver" and 9997 before it got renumber again.

I wonder if the mold got damage for the straight rad SD70m because this release makes 8 for the flare rad with the ugly cab.

[AKNscale]

The 70MACs need to make a comeback, I want parts...

[EspeeGoldenState]

They done the Ex-CNW repaints units before. They did 6736 in "We Will Deliver" with "Operation Lifesver" and 9997 before it got renumber again.

I wonder if the mold got damage for the straight rad SD70m because this release makes 8 for the flare rad with the ugly cab.

True I forgot about 6736 (I even own one). The 9997 was never a CNW unit though and was delivered in UP paint.

Chris

[unittraincoal]

SP AC4400s have to be one of the most wanted modern engines out there. The body they used for CP flags is almost a ringer for the SP engines.  The only change needed too make it look rite is high number boards.... I need at least 9-11 of the big SP Ac44s, until then I'm stuck in 1994 😤

[ljudice]

Would be nice to see the other SD70M variants in UP.....

[cfritschle]

Would be nice to see the other SD70M variants in UP.....

Lou,

I agree, but Kato only seems interested in releasing the flared radiator version of the UP SD70M.  I remember Athearn canceled the last announced run of the earlier UP version claiming the pre-orders were insufficient to justify producing the model.

Maybe Kato doesn't think the demand would sufficient for the earlier version because of Athearn's experience.   

Carter

[EspeeGoldenState]

Lou,

I agree, but Kato only seems interested in releasing the flared radiator version of the UP SD70M.  I remember Athearn canceled the last announced run of the earlier UP version claiming the pre-orders were insufficient to justify producing the model.

Maybe Kato doesn't think the demand would sufficient for the earlier version because of Athearn's experience.   

Carter

If that's the case then that's pretty lame, the Kato SD70Ms vs the Athearn variants aren't even close. Heck the UP flag on the Athearn isn't even right as they used just the one original flag for all their versions. I want a 4526/7/8 but those units look wrong in many ways. I know some required a hardwire for DCC.

Chris

[James Costello]

I'm wondering if Kelley @nightmare0331 has any insights on the earlier SD70M variants from Kato....?

[ryan_wilkerson]

I've submitted the suggestion multiple times to Kato for the UP SD70M with flat radiators. I even mentioned it in person to the Kato rep at the N scale convention in 2015. Even if the mold is damaged, why not remake it? I would think it would ride on the same mechanism and trucks.

I've been wanting SP AC4400s too. With the GP60 releases, I'm OK if they take at least 6 months so I can save up.