Kato doing UP 1943

[NorsemanJack]

Always two sides to a story! 

More often there are three!!  (your side, my side and the truth  )

In this case I think there are just the two, and one of them sounds a whole lot more believable and based upon facts than the other (and presented professionally and with correct grammar/spelling I might add).

I'm not really a buyer on this one, but if I were I would gladly choose the Kato quality and "suffer" with the missing stripe.  With my eyes, I likely couldn't even see it if it were there.

[sundowner]

If this is the picture you're referring to, the stripes are missing across the top.



Jason

I looked at video it look like the stripe was there but obviously it’s not. No big deal since at least the shell will be correct for the late Ace’s.

[John]

So, I like to do my own research ..  In this shot, it appears there may be a thin white strip along the nose .. but it could also be an artifact of the picture angle

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4965683

but the this picture disputes that

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4841264

[Englewood]

I'm in the 98 percentile. I want something that looks right without going over it with a fine tooth comb.
More importantly, when I put it on the track, it better run, and run well. Kato has never disappointed me in that regard, and I gladly spend my money with them.

[Chris333]

I'm pretty sure everyone is talking about this white stripe right in front of the sand filler.

[John]

I'm pretty sure everyone is talking about this white stripe right in front of the sand filler.

Thanks for the correction ..

thats an easy fix for me .. not a show stopper

[carlso]

Thanks Chris for that image. I am not sure if I am a 98 or 2 percenter in this case but I am 100% KATO and FVM.  Unfortunately we may not see FVM too soon, I hope not long for Matt's sake.

I can not understand any person being so upset with a missing stripe that, on this model, is most likely no longer than 5-6mm. Sounds like some sour grapes to me.

At any rate I do have a KATO/KOBO/ESU unit on order. The sound install is expected to be nothing but top notch and I do not care about KOBO adding any short stripe.

Always have fun,
Carl

[Chris333]

Plus the model might have a moulded grab iron.


I model 1948 

[peteski]

I can not understand any person being so upset with a missing stripe that, on this model, is most likely no longer than 5-6mm. Sounds like some sour grapes to me.

He seems upset that Kato specifically stated that they will not humor to the 1% of the rivet-counter modelers out there (him included).

[Scottl]

I knew nothing about the unit, so this link was helpful.  https://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/commemorative/1943-spirit/index.htm

I'm hoping the tooling news is correct and we'll see a nose headlight version of the Kato unit.  It could be converted into a SD70M-2 easily with the Trainworx etch kit.  But I'll have to strip the 1943 paint scheme 

[sundowner]

I knew nothing about the unit, so this link was helpful.  https://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/commemorative/1943-spirit/index.htm

I'm hoping the tooling news is correct and we'll see a nose headlight version of the Kato unit.  It could be converted into a SD70M-2 easily with the Trainworx etch kit.  But I'll have to strip the 1943 paint scheme 

No need for that, Kato is also doing three sisters in the standard building America scheme

[sundowner]

Also BLI announce they were also doing 1943 but they also have the China problem like FVM.

[Baldylox]

I'm not Jeff Gowers, i am Brett.  I stated exactly what Kelley stated, just using different words. So same side, same story.  I said they chose not to paint the stripe for money reasons.......I was told Kelley was a rep for katousa, now if thats wrong, i apologize.  I would hope Kato employees would not talk down to customers who wanted a simple answer and were told to go else where.

maybe im a minority in this matter, but still think it should be done right. kato has more than enough time to get it right imo.  I'll likely still have to get one anyway. So ill have all 3 versions as a collector.

[jdcolombo]

I think we sometimes forget that model railroading companies are businesses.  Businesses make cost-benefit decisions all the time.  Buy a car, and it will come with an options package.  You take it or leave it, because the manufacturer decided that the particular option package would appeal to 90% of its buyers, and it was too expensive to cater to the other 10%.

Though I'll never buy one of these (probably; sometimes I'm tempted by iconic models that don't fit my layout, like the NS Heritage series), I perfectly well understand Kato's decisions.  And I completely agree with the essence of their statement: we made our business decision for good reasons; buy it or not, your choice.  No one is forcing you to do so.  It's fine to point out how the model differs from the prototype.  Not fine to whine about it after receiving a perfectly reasonable explanation.

John C.

[wcfn100]

  I would hope Kato employees would not talk down to customers who wanted a simple answer and were told to go else where.

I've read the thread here and on TB and I don't see where you were "talked down to".  In fact, almost the opposite.

Jason