Hey folks,
Have these been released? Did I miss the boat?
I think you have brands and models mixed up. Kato released NW-2 models in HO scale several years ago, and they currently offer an SD40-2, but I have heard of no plans for a RS-2.
Atlas is releasing RS-1 and RS-3 models in HO scale.
Kato released RS2s and RSC2s at least 7 years ago. I’ve had mine at least since 2000, because I took it to display at the 2000 GNRHS convention in Bellevue, Washington. So, they’ve been out for a while. Best bet-Ebay. Hope this helps.
Thanks Folks!
Yep, it’s been a long time since the RS-2 came out. As “Klueless Kato’s”*** only HO foray into transition-era locos, the RS-2 was a late 1990’s release (1999, at least) and has never been re-run. They also rather messed up on the radiator fan housing as it’s way, way too tall and the quasi-green LED headlights are rather odd looking.
A superb mechanism as usual, my Kato RS-2 is a great puller with nice detail and accurate grabs (unlike Atlas or Athearn’s RS-3’s). However, it’s scarce at trainshows (at least here in Mass.).
***Kato is Klueless because 1). They don’t seem to understand that the most popular scale in North America is HO, not N. 2). They don’t seem to understand that the most popular era in North America is transition-era, not modern day. 3). When someone complained to them at the Springfield (MA) show why they didn’t do more New England railroad’s (like the No. 1 owner of Budd RDC’s in the USA, the Boston & Maine), they replied that they had just done a New England railroad with their new (at the time) Pennsylvania RR units. Sigh.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
Paul,
Kato’s main market is in the Pacific Rim’, not the US. And ‘N’ scale dominates over there. The KATOUSA market is just a small piece of their business. It appears that the US market does not generate the same kind of revenue.
Jim
Walthers Proto 1000 currently offers the RS 2 in several roadnames. Check their website.
Jim
There is a certain amount of Kato USA products being purchased and put to good use, at least in my home. =)
I tested thier Business car (B&O) on one of thier number 6 switches today and found it to be flawless. They are a good product. I just need to weather the tracks and knock down that uber shine.