I just received my third Kato AC4400 in the mail and I like them alot but I have always dreaded putting these things together again. Its such a task to sit down and do this all the time. The old Athearn Genesis have moved to RTr so I wonder isf Kato will make that leap as well and offer these locos already assembled. Well for the price they should already be fully assembled. I could even deal with leaving off the wipers and shades to do when I get them. Thats not too bad at all.
You’re kidding… right? Why not just buy a prebuilt layout? Has model railroading really evolved into this… [V]
Good luck, Dave
As someone else barked to me about on this forum a few weeks back- Nothing is really made RTR.
After you recieve the Loco, it needs to be totally dis-assembled, inspected, lubed, and then put back together before it ever hits the rails- regardless of manufacturer.
And when you have an 8 year old kid trying to see through 47 year old eyes, the kid can become quite frustrated, especially when it comes to the microscopic detail.
Need to Rent-A-Kid, ha ha.
How about just getting Kato to make something in HO AGAIN?
Well I am just thinking Kato should step it up since all the ther manufactures have. When we started out Athearn only had kits now they have RTR and all the manufactures have them. Every other manufacture offers RTR for their engines with very minor details needed to be added but not as many as Katos. Now I am not out looking for a RTR layout, c’mon!
It would be nicer if they re-issued some early offerings, NW’s, RS-2’s. GP35’s, etc…
Kato doesnt make ho models any more
They sure were priced too high since you had to put them together!
Kato DOES make an RTR locomotive series. It is called their KOBO line. Apparently, they come with all the details pre-installed and also set up for easy sound installation. I prefer kits, myself. And, I too wish that Kato would get into releasing their older period products-or even creating more of them. After all, the Great Northern Railway only owned four curent or past Kato models-the NW2, the RS2, the GP35 and the SD45. Although, I am looking toward acquiring an SD40 to convert into one of GN’s six SDP40s.
Where did you hear that?
They are clearing all their excess old stock to make room for the new stuff, because they over-estimated the demand for the SD70MAC’s.
We will see new items appear in the next 12 months.
and Priced too high, because you had to put some small detail parts on? something that accounts to .01% of the actual models production cost? Kato’s are worth it, even if you do have to put some grab irons and handrails on yourself.
now I admit I have my share of RTR rollingstock but I still buy kits, when I find them!..
Is this hobby getting lazier?
Just my [2c]
Kato and HO, didn’t know they go together… But really, WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE HO MODELS AGAIN???
I’ve always considered Kato to be ready to run. Putting on odds and ends details like handrails, window shades, and wipers, and even the occasional vent or two does not qualify it as a kit. A kit is something that when the box is opened all one sees is gears, wheels, bits of metal & plastic pieces and parts. The Roundhouse steamers are the closest thing I can think of in recent years that qualify as kits. Well , I guess the Bowser kits are still available.
You know, that line is getting awfully tired. Sounds like a character named “Bowers” from Atlas Forums.
TZ, I find I have to agree with you. Katos really don’t truly qualify as kits. Perhaps call them “almost ready to run”. Fortunately for me, one of my LHS’ carries Intermountain freight car kits-including undecorateds, so I can still keep my hand in. Branchline’s Blueprint Series kits are also excellent. True locomotive kits are, I agree, scarce, though the argument could be made that the Highliners F-unit shells qualify-even though one must install an r-t-r drive underneath. I am a huge fan of the Highliners, myself. I have a 3-unit A/B/A set awaiting shop time for construction into a 1955-59 Great Northern set for my coming Walthers’ Empire Builder.
CurtMc wrote: <"Kato doesnt make ho models any more "> Yes, they do. Or are you referring to USA prototype only?
USA yes. They are not making any models that I can find information on. Is there an announcement kato has made?
The following email is from Kato this morning.
Thank you for your interest and support of our products.
Just keep watching the web site.
We did not quit on “HO”.
Best regards,
Customer Service
KATO USA, Inc.
I agree with Texas Zepher 100%. Having to assemble parts that might get damaged in shipping if pre installed does not constitute a kit. It has never taken me more than 1/2 hour to get a Kato locomotive ready to roll.
Ae far as whether Kato has dropped out of the north american HO locomotive market I guess time will tell but I’m sure not holding my breath.
I agree with you on this, I wouldn’t quite call putting a few detail parts on a kit. Even the old Athearn BB models required some things to be put on such as the handrails (and then painted), horns, small truck details, etc. I never considered these kits either.
I’ll agree with this as well. Kits are something where the buyer assembles the majority of the model. And this usually involves actual contrustion of specific parts as well essential to the workings of the model. Detail parts are little extras that don’t make a kit a kit.
If you can pull it out of the box, put it on the rails, and run it…It isn’t a kit.
So they are not making any models right only saying watch the website?