I have been on travel for a week so if this has been on a subject, ignore my post.
Latest news from Kato!
**December 20th, 2006**
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**[HO Black River Junction track set!](http://www.katousa.com/BRJ.html)**
After we read MR's article on building a scenic layout using Kato Unitrack, we felt a need to make this wonderful layout even more accessible by compiling all the parts necessary to build it into one set. [Click here](http://www.katousa.com/BRJ.html) or below for all the information about this set! [](http://www.katousa.com/BRJ.html)
December 12th, 2006 New HO SD38-2 releases!
It’s been a long wait, but we’re happy to announce what will be the first of many HO productions in the upcoming year! We have all new road numbers for the HO DM&IR and EJ&E SD38-2, with the DM&IR being a new design, featuring a 4000 gallon fuel tank, dynamic brake, and three cylinder truck sideframe. Inquire at your local hobbyshop about getting your hands on one of these beautiful HO reproductions
Tower55 has already released ES44AC and ES44DC models at prices comparable to what a Kato would cost, so I don’t think Kato is going to duplicate that effort.
Both Kato and Tower55 are using Digitrax SoundFX decoders in their models, so Kato undoubtedly knows what Overland Models’ Tower55 branch is producing. The Tower55 box is marked as “Made in Korea by Ajin Precision” and I think Kato uses that same contractor for some of their models.
CAZephyr - no offense intended to either Kato or yourself, but at $795 just for the track (& swithces & roadbed) alone, I know that I sure wouldn’t be buying that BRJ kit. MR must have some sweetheart deal with Kato to get the track at a lower price (or else MR has VERY deep pockets…).
At that price, I would expect that their potential pool of customers would be rather small. Now some more reasonably priced products (for us mere mortals with more limited budgets to spend) would be very welcome. Kato’s cars are - if a bit into the premium price range - probably worth the price, but when you get into the 3-digit range, you’re pushing your luck to ask me to go buy something [:O] (for anything other than a very well-detailed steam loco…). I’m looking for some manufacturers with more moderate prices, myself. At least until I win the lottery.[;)]
Just my [2c]. Other opinions are (obviously) possible.
Now Jim, you aren’t going to deny them the labor costs in counting up the parts and putting them into a nice neat packet with a set of plans are you. You have to pay for people to take out the guesswork.
Too bad the paint job on them doesnt match the Athearn paint job. It isnt neccesarily wrong, but the SD38-2’s had a darker paint scheme, while the current KATO paint job matches the Missabe’s earlier SD9/SD18’s.
