This review is on Kato’s HO scale Phase Ia GP35 diesel, one of the first non-brass models to represent different prototype “phases.”[:D]
Although it’s now been 16 years since these were first released, the GP35’s fine detail is just about as good as anything they make today. There are a couple minor mistakes around the shell, but there are also some parts I would say are better than more recent diesels from Kato. The main body castings are made perfectly, with no visible seam in sight. All the separate detail parts, like the grab-irons, handrails, and truck details, come unassembled, and are packed in the bottom of the box. Detailed instructions show where all the parts go, and everything presses into little holes in the shell. Most of the parts went in easy and hold fine, but a couple others (like the long pilot grab irons) were a little tight. Except for the oddly colored navy-blue horn, all the parts are molded in black. The handrails and grab-irons should be blue and white instead of black, but some good painting can fix that. The detail matches photos of Conrail GP35s for the most part, but there are a couple little things that are different. The pilots have steps with finely made see-through grating (which is about the only see-through detail you’ll ever find on a Kato) which don’t belong on Conrail GP35s, the side grab-irons on the nose are on the wrong side (right instead of left), and the steps should be black instead of blue. All of these things can fortunately be fixed easily (now back to the model’s positives).[:D] All the roof and side ventilation, although not see-through, is some of the finest I’ve ever seen, and there are even fans visible in the four fan vents on the roof.[:D] The cab has a full interior, which was an uncommon feature around the time this one was made. There are fine silver wi