Kato to re-run SD70Ace 4141 and 1943.

[nightmare0331]

Originally the provisional rerun was only supposed to be for the 1943 as the market isn't quite satisfied even though preorders were open for the original run for like 3 months, but since Kato was getting bombarded for requests for the GHB unit, it was decided to add the 4141 to the list.

A little history of the 4141 Kato did previously...when originally released, it sold decently on release, but it took *4* years to sell the remaining 700 pieces and I believe the last were fire-saled out to an east coast distributor.  The UP heritage units actually sold much better.

I chuckled at the prices people were paying for these things on Ebay.  No offense to anyone, but buying model trains for investment purposes is...risky.  (sure, there are always the outliers who make money doing it on something, but generally, that's not the norm)

Anywhoo...will be interesting to see how many preorders roll in on both items.  My curiosity is mostly on the -LS versions.

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[ljudice]

I chuckled at the prices people were paying for these things on Ebay.  No offense to anyone, but buying model trains for investment purposes is...risky.  (sure, there are always the outliers who make money doing it on something, but generally, that's not the norm)

Like they say, if you want to make a small fortune in model railroading, start with a large fortune.

[peteski]

Like they say, if you want to make a small fortune in model railroading, start with a large fortune.

While that amusing saying is often true, in this case I think that we are crossing into insane collector's market (similar to the crazy things MTL collectors used to do back before the Internet).  Most of those high-priced items never even get to run - they stay in their jewel cases.

[carlso]

I just received my "Spirit" and after tweaking I really like the install. Very well done. I missed out on the original "4141" release so, I just pre-ordered a "4141" so I will have it to run with 1943. I purchased to operate them, not for investment, for sure.

And yes Pete about the old days MT collectors. I know a man that was one of the largest collectors in the USA and he is trying to sell off his stash now. He cries all the time about taking a beating on sales.

Carl

[Mark5]

I always buy to keep.

(very glad to hear about the re-runs)

[Rossford Yard]

For us runners/operators who like unique units, was I to understand that 4141 was put in storage and saved to use on this occasion?  So we would never have seen it run the rails?  Wonder if it will now, or put back in a museum.  If UP spend millions on a locomotive for ceremony, hats off to them.


Funny think, I love the look of 4141, and have always collected way too many locos.  The 4141, even up to last year when one was sitting on my LHS shelves was always tempting, but I resisted as part of my efforts to cure locomotivitis.  Some distress that I didn't realize it would have been a nice collectible.  BTW, as to investment value, I think that MT bubble has burst to a large degree.  Also, lots of articles in media titled similar to "Hey Grandpa, no one wants your junk when you die!"  Not referring to trains specifically, of course, but also old style furniture, china, etc.

Last thoughts, interesting that 700 units were left unsold.  I did see on email from an online shop saying they had 24 of them, which sold out quickly.  Wonder how many they produced, and if the leftovers on the RDC and 4141 (and maybe others) have them thinking about pre-orders.  They have stubbornly stuck to the old ales mold unlike other mfgs. Was the 700 units 10%, 20% or more of production if they sold well?

[sundowner]

From what I have seen and read until this week, UP would run it from time to time without much fanfare. If you look in one of the locomotive photo sites you will see pictures of it running but most of the time it sat cover at the Jenk shops.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

By the same token, I wish Trainworx would re-run some of thee truck offerings.  They were pricey when new, and now the prices are totally unreasonable! 

Haha... I bought two sets of the "Movie" series, intending to use the second set as kit bash fodder. All are secured in my collection.

[Mark W]

Dangit.  I might just have to get one now. 
Had a great time chasing the journey through Nebraska today!

[ljudice]

Dangit.  I might just have to get one now. 
Had a great time chasing the journey through Nebraska today!

Awesome!

[John]

From what I have seen and read until this week, UP would run it from time to time without much fanfare. If you look in one of the locomotive photo sites you will see pictures of it running but most of the time it sat cover at the Jenk shops.

I've been a UP shareholder for about 10 years now .. mainly because of how they preserve their heritage .. very classy ..

[carlso]

Real nice video Mark, thanks for sharing. Would you venture a guess as to what speed he was doing out in the rural area? My guess would be 70mph +/- a tad.

Carl

[Mark W]

I've seen other run-by videos where they were probably pushing 70.  But no, they were a bit slower during my chase. 

Using trackside signs/trees as marker and counting frames from car gap to car gap (pause the video and tap the < or > key) puts them at 45mph.

I count 40 frames / 29.97fps = 1.3 seconds for one car to pass.

85ft car length over 1.3s = 44.5mph. 

[basementcalling]

Wouldn't mind a 4141 but never really considered this unit a must own, even though I have one of all the other UP heritage units and passenger fleet.

Anyone with background info on why UP decorated a unit for 41, but has never done one for any other president?

[Chris333]

Anyone with background info on why UP decorated a unit for 41, but has never done one for any other president?

I wondered the same thing.