Release of CZ and associated locomotives

[NorsemanJack]

https://katousa.com/n-the-california-zephyr/

We had heard rumors.  It looks like they are true.  The cars are all new names.  IIRC, the Prototype railroads bought six complete train sets, five to cover the schedule and one in reserve.  I wish they had just stuck with the original packaging, but I'll still buy them.  The foob Q E8's are a disappointment.  I was hoping we would get some prototypical Q E7's or updated correct E8's.  They are still nice locomotives and the first choice for letting my Grandson run some trains.

[robertjohndavis]

Having to buy a locomotive in order to get the observation car is one of the strangest things I have ever seen in this hobby. If there was an option to get a starter set with a D&RGW or WP loco it wouldn’t be so bad. Doesn’t look like that is happening.

Kato has lost the plot.

[NorsemanJack]

I'm suspecting that the copy on Kato's website is not ready for prime time.  If I remember correctly, when these came out years ago the only passenger pilot, single headlight shell Kato had was with dynamic brake, which is not correct for Burlington.  I'm now seeing evidence that somewhere along the way they may have remedied that.  I would be delighted if the new Q E units were correct, with lighted number boards to boot.  I guess I'll just stay tuned.  Experts?

And yes, I'm expecting starter sets with single WP and DRGW locomotives.

[Point353]

https://katousa.com/n-the-california-zephyr/

We had heard rumors.  It looks like they are true.  The cars are all new names.  IIRC, the Prototype railroads bought six complete train sets, five to cover the schedule and one in reserve.  I wish they had just stuck with the original packaging, but I'll still buy them.

I'd also prefer that, as in the past, the cars were sold separately from the locos.
Split the cars into two sets, if necessary, but don't make buying a loco mandatory in order to get all of the cars.

Also, a missed opportunity to offer the DRG&W PA locos in this scheme:

[NorsemanJack]

I'd also prefer that, as in the past, the cars were sold separately from the locos.
Split the cars into two sets, if necessary, but don't make buying a loco mandatory in order to get all of the cars.

Also, a missed opportunity to offer the DRG&W PA locos in this scheme:

Yep.  Of the three schemes, the original is my favorite.  I agree that making folks buy a loco doesn't make sense.  Especially a WP or DRGW fan who has to buy the Q loco.  Not a problem for this fan.

[robertjohndavis]

I'd also prefer that, as in the past, the cars were sold separately from the locos.
Split the cars into two sets, if necessary, but don't make buying a loco mandatory in order to get all of the cars.

Also, a missed opportunity to offer the DRG&W PA locos in this scheme:

If they offered the D&RGW in the original silver w/yellow nose scheme I would have already placed my order. I love the original CZ look.

[Usili]

That 8 car add-on set is genuinely like, really good in terms of cars that you just need to deskirt+decal into Phase III stuff as part of the Heritage Fleet barring the dorm buffet lounge. Tbqh the one thing that might be a bit difficult is the 16-section sleeper since those were converted into chair cars in the 60s, and would be interesting on how much of a pain it might be to redo the interior.

[NorsemanJack]

I'm really interested in finding out more about the CB&Q E8's being released.  They show a unit from the release 30 years ago with the corrugated sets.  They do not have illuminated number boards and the Q units incorrectly have dynamic brakes.  I'm pretty sure Kato has since tooled a single headlight, passenger pilot, non-DB E8 shell which will hopefully be used.   Finally having a pair of up to date, correct Q E8's is probably of more interest to me than another CZ train set.

ETA: I believe that I was mistaken.  The Q units had dual headlights.

[thomasjmdavis]

That 8 car add-on set is genuinely like, really good in terms of cars that you just need to deskirt+decal into Phase III stuff as part of the Heritage Fleet barring the dorm buffet lounge. Tbqh the one thing that might be a bit difficult is the 16-section sleeper since those were converted into chair cars in the 60s, and would be interesting on how much of a pain it might be to redo the interior.

Assuming the cars are as modular as the older Kato offerings I have in my collection, trading out for a coach interior from the Kato parts department ( or one 3D printed one if you want all the seats in exactly the right place) should be simple.  The interior is a separate part, and all that might be needed would be some minor surgery on the new interior piece to get notches in the right place to fit, and possibly relocating a bathroom partition.

Another possibility is the Con-cor Budd coach that is modeled on the CZ cars after conversion.  (Con cor made 2 different Budd coaches, the second is an ATSF chair car prototype, which they market as a 'twin-window coach'.)  For that matter, it might be practical to install the Con-cor interior into the Kato carbody (these cars were a major upgrade from old Con Cor passenger cars, and have separate and reasonably accurate interiors, similar to Kato).  I don't know if Con-cor will supply parts any more (to get an interior), haven't purchased anything from them for years.

[Mark5]

I'm really interested in finding out more about the CB&Q E8's being released.  They show a unit from the release 30 years ago with the corrugated sets.  They do not have illuminated number boards and the Q units incorrectly have dynamic brakes.  I'm pretty sure Kato has since tooled a single headlight, passenger pilot, non-DB E8 shell which will hopefully be used.   Finally having a pair of up to date, correct Q E8's is probably of more interest to me than another CZ train set.

Difficult to predict - in fairly recent years Kato did a "Kobo" Wabash E8 - with the wrong pilot. This despite having tooled a correct E8 shell that they could have used.

[NorsemanJack]

Difficult to predict - in fairly recent years Kato did a "Kobo" Wabash E8 - with the wrong pilot. This despite having tooled a correct E8 shell that they could have used.

Yep.  Of course, the Kobo unit wasn't a factory release so possibly just used whatever undec units were available.  We'll see.

[CBQ Fan]

My response from another topic:

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!

[NorsemanJack]

My response from another topic:

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!

Yep.

[thomasjmdavis]

Difficult to predict - in fairly recent years Kato did a "Kobo" Wabash E8 - with the wrong pilot. This despite having tooled a correct E8 shell that they could have used.

In Kato's defense, I think the Kobo model was based on a museum displayed E8 that had been painted into Wabash colors, not an original Wabash in service E8. At least, I recall them saying so at the time (but... my memory is not as reliable as it used to be).  I passed on purchasing the model, although... it would have been an upgrade from my LifeLike E8s.  The errors didn't bother me on the $30 Life Likes, like they did on the much higher priced Kobo.

 Did Kato also do one 25 years ago when they brought out the Wabash "Bluebird" cars?  (a set utilizing cars from the 1990s era Kato Budd sets, the domes were close to accurate, but the baggage and obs were foobies).  It seems logical, but... if they did, I should have a couple, and I don't...

[NorsemanJack]

In Kato's defense, I think the Kobo model was based on a museum displayed E8 that had been painted into Wabash colors, not an original Wabash in service E8. At least, I recall them saying so at the time (but... my memory is not as reliable as it used to be).  I passed on purchasing the model, although... it would have been an upgrade from my LifeLike E8s.  The errors didn't bother me on the $30 Life Likes, like they did on the much higher priced Kobo.

 Did Kato also do one 25 years ago when they brought out the Wabash "Bluebird" cars?  (a set utilizing cars from the 1990s era Kato Budd sets, the domes were close to accurate, but the baggage and obs were foobies).  It seems logical, but... if they did, I should have a couple, and I don't...

IIRC, they released Wabash PA's to pull those.