Any product news out of Chattanooga?

[robertjohndavis]

I’m mixed on the starter set. What if you don’t want a CB&Q unit?

But at least they are doing some E8s, should translate into more numbers being run

Help me make it make sense.

I want WP or D&RGW motive power but in order to get the whole train I have to buy a CB&Q E8 that I don’t want?

I predict a plethora of those E’s hitting eBay.

It’s a dumb move. If the HAVE to bundle a loco, make a set with a Rio Grande PA and one with a WP F unit, too.

Kato gets odder by the moment. Stuff still runs like it will never stop, but the business decisions are straaaaaaaange.

[CBQ Fan]

Help me make it make sense.

I want WP or D&RGW motive power but in order to get the whole train I have to buy a CB&Q E8 that I don’t want?

I predict a plethora of those E’s hitting eBay.

It’s a dumb move. If the HAVE to bundle a loco, make a set with a Rio Grande PA and one with a WP F unit, too.

Kato gets odder by the moment. Stuff still runs like it will never stop, but the business decisions are straaaaaaaange.

My question is if they are updating the E8 to be accurate for the CBQ, no dynamic brake!  If they do not it will be very disappointing! With all my Broadway Limited E units plus the Kato E5s I don’t need. Fourth E8 with a dynamic brake to store in a container. They should have done E5 A/B sets!

[GhengisKong]

My question is if they are updating the E8 to be accurate for the CBQ, no dynamic brake!  If they do not it will be very disappointing! With all my Broadway Limited E units plus the Kato E5s I don’t need. Fourth E8 with a dynamic brake to store in a container. They should have done E5 A/B sets!

Surely it will be sans d/b considering that they introduced a non-d/b model of the E8 for the CNW 400 sets.

[learmoia]

Surely it will be sans d/b considering that they introduced a non-d/b model of the E8 for the CNW 400 sets.

Nahh... they have had Non DB options with freight and passenger pilots with and without dual headlights since the 2nd or 3rd run..?

They've done it wrong all these years and they always sell out.. why fix it now..   

[lock4244]

I have to believe there are enough of us who want real MLWs that a Bowser-like approach would find a suitable audience.

I would agree, and though it was encouraging that they did a survey asking N scalers to pick the locomotive they'd most like to see in N, and the big MLW's came first... but crickets ever since, nearly two years now.

Is Atlas finally doing a Hi-Ad and Dofasco truck a sign that an announcement from Bowser might be coming? Maybe... I'm up to five of their big MLW's in HO now 

[Ike the BN Freak]

Tangent’s N Scale car is still coming, may be out this year or next year. Sounded like it could be a coal car. 

Fingers crossed if its a coal car its the PS-4000 3 bay...and if so, my Atlas ones are getting sold ASAP

[Pizzaparty]

Help me make it make sense.

I want WP or D&RGW motive power but in order to get the whole train I have to buy a CB&Q E8 that I don’t want?

I predict a plethora of those E’s hitting eBay.

It’s a dumb move. If the HAVE to bundle a loco, make a set with a Rio Grande PA and one with a WP F unit, too.

Kato gets odder by the moment. Stuff still runs like it will never stop, but the business decisions are straaaaaaaange.

I’m not a fan of it myself.

But if I was a guessing man (and I’m really guessing) that Kato has had some good success with starter sets especially to the “non model railroader community” (was it comic con they sold sets at dirt cheap? Please some one correct me) and in an effort to keep people buying they are doing more starter sets. I see it from a point of they have the tooling, it looks cool and it’ll complement the pioneer zephyr that was just announced 

It may seem odd but on the other hand the more products that are offered at a lower price point will hopefully translate into more sales. Besides I’d rather keep the cash flowing than lose sales because let’s face it, a full set of power and cars will easily cost $600.

Let’s hope they make other starter sets with the other associated power

[NorsemanJack]

Nahh... they have had Non DB options with freight and passenger pilots with and without dual headlights since the 2nd or 3rd run..?

They've done it wrong all these years and they always sell out.. why fix it now..   

Are you certain that they have done a non-DB unit with dual headlights and passenger pilot?  I don't think so.  I want to be wrong.

[N Scale Train Boy]

@NorsemanJack looks like it https://www.ebay.com/itm/128005448604?_skw=n+scale+illinois+central+e8

edit: on second look this has a freight pilot so maybe not...

[Mark5]

Are you certain that they have done a non-DB unit with dual headlights and passenger pilot?  I don't think so.  I want to be wrong.

I think you're right.

The current offering is DB: https://katousa.com/product/e8-9a-bodyshell-undec-2-hl-closed-pilot-n-scale/

[thomasjmdavis]

What surprises me most about Kato's marketing decision to offer a CB&Q starter set with a loco and 3 passenger cars, is that so many seem surprised that they did it.

They've been selling a Santa Fe set with an F7 and 3 cars from the Super Chief sets for years.
https://katousa.com/product/n-santa-fe-super-chief-starter-set/

And... if they are now doing a similar CB&Q set, I am led to suggest that they are doing it because the Santa Fe 'starter sets' were successful.

It would be interesting to know (although I doubt they would tell us), how successful those Santa Fe sets were in Japan, where you have a lot more N scalers running on loops of track on a table in a small apartment.  And, for that matter, how successful they've been in urban America, where you have a lot of folks with small apartments.  Much of Kato's US marketing seems focused on getting a lot of small customers, who have limited space and money, involved in the hobby.  It works for them in Japan. 

[robertjohndavis]

What surprises me most about Kato's marketing decision to offer a CB&Q starter set with a loco and 3 passenger cars, is that so many seem surprised that they did it.

Thomas,

I think the surprise/ire is not that they did a Burlington starter set but they didn’t also do a D&RGW or WP set. Remember, one cross country trip of the CZ used locos on each home road. So it isn’t the starter set concept; it is the fact that to build a complete WP F-unit or D&RGW PA hauled train one is forced to buy a Burlington E unit they don’t want or need.

The Super Chief set isn’t an apples to apples comparison as one set of Warbonnets could represent any part of the journey. It’s not as if you have to buy a BNSF Dash9 to get the observation car.

Rob

[NorsemanJack]

These really aren't starter sets.  No track.  No pack.  Just a locomotive and three of 11 cars.  And, the locomotive may very well be a foob.

[EspeeGoldenState]

I think the biggest issue with the CBQ locomotive already being in the CZ pack is the fact they already offer 2 other CBQ offerings. If you are using the starter pack excuse, the Silver Streak or upcoming Pioneer Zephyr would work just fine or better in my opinion.

[robert3985]

Help me make it make sense.

I want WP or D&RGW motive power but in order to get the whole train I have to buy a CB&Q E8 that I don’t want?

I predict a plethora of those E’s hitting eBay.

It’s a dumb move. If the HAVE to bundle a loco, make a set with a Rio Grande PA and one with a WP F unit, too.

Kato gets odder by the moment. Stuff still runs like it will never stop, but the business decisions are straaaaaaaange.

Here's a little monetary advice.  Breaking up Kato passenger sets yields out-of-proportion sales prices.  So, offering your CB&Q E's separately without the cars will bring a premium price...with which you can purchase the engines you want for your CZ or custom paint 'em.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore