It seems that since KATO released the F40PHs and Pullman-Standard bi-levels, they have not announced any new HO offerings. Are they done with HO scale? I know they had announced “KOBO” or “KOHO” (something like that) locomotives which were basically SD45s and AC4400CWs with all the handrails and grab irons installed (long overdue for the money KATO asks for its locomotives). But I don’t think any of these have been released yet.
I’d hate to see KATO give up on HO. I wish they would offer some of their N Scale stuff in HO like SD40-2s with ditchlights and the BNSF 53’ well cars.
There was interest stirred up in 2004 about Kato producing detailed F45/FP45 cowl diesels. Looks like Athearn with its Genesis line is going to beat them to the punch.
Well understanding Japanese business practices is difficult at best. Having dealt with them for 20 years they are very slow in bringing new items to the market. If you visit (for example) the Sony show room in Tokyo you will see thing you won;t see here for ten to twenty years. Kato is like many companies that try to maximize profit through limited release of productand only when they understand completely the market and production requirements. hence there is always a shortage of Kato products. Chances are they have the next five to ten engines planned and in varying degrees of completion but they will release them when they determine the timing not when the market wants them. Weird by our standards but the oriental mind is a very difficult thing to get inside and influence.
This issue has been talked about several times this last year and each time someone talks to Kato at the train shows, Kato representatives hint at more items coming. I was surprised they did not show anything new at the last show two weeks ago, but don’t count them out in HO just yet. Their top people in the company model N scale from what I have heard and the HO line is almost secondary.
One thing for sure, Kato has stock that has not sold in the last year and this might be a factor in slowing down new products. They have not actually offered sound installed and this must have hurt sales in the last two years of so. The do have the speaker slot in the latest AC4400’s and sound could be added without to much effort, but some of us tend to buy RTR sound. I have certain models like the Genesis F units that I install Soundtraxx because I prefer their sound, but all of my Atlas units have been purchased with sound.
Another factor could be the latest Kato’s are not detailed as well as either Proto 2000 or Atlas units, but they continue to operate like the best.
Their most recent offerings have been KOBO AC4400CWs, SD45s, SD38-2s and any other old stock with the option of added Digitrax DCC sound. I’d personally like to see them do more SD40-2s and come out with a nice GP15.
They better keep making HO. I’m still waiting for a UP SD70M with flared radiators. Maybe Atlas will come out with them then. I really don’t want to pay the price of Overland.
This is my thoughts on why we have not seen any new HO for about a year. The models highlighted in red are still in stock and Kato is trying to rid the shelves of stock.
For some reason, the AC4400 did not sell as good as their production numbers and they imported several versions of the SD70MAC’s. The SD38-2 was a slow sellerdue to only a few railroads having them.
The talked about the SD70M with flairs and I would not be surprised to see it show up without any fanfare.
If Kato wants to stay competitive in the HO market their locos had better start coming out with all handrails and grabirons assembled.For what Kato charges,to have to partially assemble the loco is rediculous.[:(!]
I dont know why people make such a big deal about having to put on the handrails yourself, god forbid you actually DO something to your rolling stock today. It takes what, an hour and a half, two if you are slow. They arent really that expensive either, I have 2 SD70MACs, an SD90MAC and an AC4400 and have not paid more than $80 for any of them. You cannot discount the fact that Katos are the best running engines you can buy in that price range. Personally I would like to see Kato make a couple 4 axle diesels. I dont really have a model in mind, but thats what Im looking for.
I sent an e-mail to Athearn. The customer rep e-mailed me back stating that it is true that Athearn will produce the F45 and FP45 in the HO Genesis line as well as in N scale. There were no futher details (typical Athearn).
CurtMc (the imitator who doesn’t use a space) posted: “Kato has stopped making new products in HO scale”
Wrong again… By the way, I wouldn’t be so concerned about you using nearly the same posting name as me if most of what you posted was ever correct…
Kato has several other HO products planned but are holding back announcements and release of new HO products until current inventories are lower… If they were not planning on any new HO items then why would they be doing research for them?
BTW, are you any kin to “Bowers” over on the Atlas forum? You have the same view on many issues and a very similar pointed derogatory way of expressing it… Or are you the infamous “Shermanhill”?
Kato could become a top contender if Kato would release more locomotive types…However,if they have lots of old stock inventories then I fully understand why they are holding back releasing new products…
Perhaps they should study the way their old partner Atlas does business since Atlas locomotives seem to sell out quickly due to being limited runs"Built to order"?
Atlas has done a good job of productions numbers with the reservation process. In addition to the reservations before production, they have produced several models recently that have been on our list of wants for some time.
Kato produced the SD38-2 recently since it is the same basic chassis as the SD40-2, but so few railroads used the SD38-2, their production number should have been a partial order compared to SD40-2’s. I believe that is one of the reasons they did not sell out and are still in stock at Kato.
I am still looking forward to many more Kato products in the future when they offer new products.