I have the pack some people mentioned (and actually did a video on it last week-end). It runs very well! I agree with most of what you said. If there is one thing that it brings to a layout, it is variety. You have to take it for what it is wroth, which is a simple model that runs very well. I would highly recommend people get it in the pack with wagons. In any case, it is not a bad deal.
It's not a glamorous loco, but for the price it's a great little shunter that'll be bombproof and is cheap enough that you can happily modify it into a different loco without worrying about it too much. Being Kato, it'll likely be a reliable runner for years. So you'll always have a loco that'll run when you need to test something or just play trains.
The 3D printing community has adopted the power chassis as it's base for any number of N scale, and 009 loco bodies, because it just sits under the fancy bodywork and does its job. I'm gonna get into 009 with that power chassis, and will do it all for only about $50. Add a few pieces of flex track, a couple of points and some cardboard buildings, and you have the beginnings of a very nice, and very cheap layout.
I have the Kato pack with the wagons for this in a green colour. I think for the price and actual mechanical quality handsdown it's superb. Yes black is dull but the loco runs well and I disagree with you completely especially considering younger generations to the hobby. I would have this loco overall anyday over the crap dapol create and then the expense of farish. Keep it going Kato hope too see more UK models produced by them.
I have a nice blue and cream Graham Farish Deltic prototype in N Gauge bought many years ago that has been used just once. However being a rank amateur, I ruined the track in the set trying to put it away and so it was put away then forgotten. Now I have the bug again to run trains and took a long look at the TT120 options, but have been put off by the teething issues with the track! So upon discovering Kato unitrack, I realised it would suit my needs perfectly for kickstarting an interest in N gauge and being able to put away too. However I didn’t want to pay a lot for the passenger sets so decided on the KATO BR Industrial freight train set instead that contains the loco reviewed above. I agree that the loco isn’t going to win any beauty contests, but if it’s a good runner and means I can test the track before running the Deltic prototype then I will be happy. Thanks for the review.
Year late, but I just bought it. I am just starting up and I grabbed this loco and an M1 track set. The starter sets currently available aren't want I want exactly, so I grabbed the track and this little set to get something on the rails. There is a train show coming next month and I figure I can add something more after I play around a bit and know whether I want more track, more calls, a different loco or whatever.
I've actually seen packs for the same price that contain this (albeit with generic markings) and 2 wagons. So this on its own isn't a very good deal, but I suppose you are paying for the BR livery more than anything.
In Japan they sell a different livery with 2 wagons for 3200 yen which is less than 25 pounds. I think Amazon Japan and PlazaJapan ship overseas. Shipping cost is high but if you can combine the order with other things, it may be worth it. Search for “Kato pocket line.” The great thing is that it can handle incredibly tight radius curves - Kato pocket line tracks go down to 122mm radius.
Tengo 3 de estos en sets con vagones ,tienen un funcionamiento mui fino y me divierto mucho en una macheta pequeña de radio 1 y 2 de fleismann ,además los set son muy baratos frente a esta locomotora negra que se vende sola por un precio bastante alto.
Hi. As you said at the beginning, is it a cheap way into the hobby? It looks as though it is and once you are started, you can begin to buy better models. Not prototypical? Not every layout needs to adhere to this criterium - remember, Rule 1 applies. The idea is to enjoy the hobby. If it turns out this means rivet counting, etc., then this is your choice and you shouldn't be criticised for it. It runs well straight out of the box: this is Kato for you!
I have the pack some people mentioned (and actually did a video on it last week-end). It runs very well! I agree with most of what you said. If there is one thing that it brings to a layout, it is variety. You have to take it for what it is wroth, which is a simple model that runs very well. I would highly recommend people get it in the pack with wagons. In any case, it is not a bad deal.
It's not a glamorous loco, but for the price it's a great little shunter that'll be bombproof and is cheap enough that you can happily modify it into a different loco without worrying about it too much.
Being Kato, it'll likely be a reliable runner for years. So you'll always have a loco that'll run when you need to test something or just play trains.
The 3D printing community has adopted the power chassis as it's base for any number of N scale, and 009 loco bodies, because it just sits under the fancy bodywork and does its job. I'm gonna get into 009 with that power chassis, and will do it all for only about $50. Add a few pieces of flex track, a couple of points and some cardboard buildings, and you have the beginnings of a very nice, and very cheap layout.
I have the Kato pack with the wagons for this in a green colour. I think for the price and actual mechanical quality handsdown it's superb. Yes black is dull but the loco runs well and I disagree with you completely especially considering younger generations to the hobby. I would have this loco overall anyday over the crap dapol create and then the expense of farish. Keep it going Kato hope too see more UK models produced by them.
Well said my friend.
I have a nice blue and cream Graham Farish Deltic prototype in N Gauge bought many years ago that has been used just once. However being a rank amateur, I ruined the track in the set trying to put it away and so it was put away then forgotten. Now I have the bug again to run trains and took a long look at the TT120 options, but have been put off by the teething issues with the track! So upon discovering Kato unitrack, I realised it would suit my needs perfectly for kickstarting an interest in N gauge and being able to put away too. However I didn’t want to pay a lot for the passenger sets so decided on the KATO BR Industrial freight train set instead that contains the loco reviewed above. I agree that the loco isn’t going to win any beauty contests, but if it’s a good runner and means I can test the track before running the Deltic prototype then I will be happy. Thanks for the review.
Year late, but I just bought it. I am just starting up and I grabbed this loco and an M1 track set. The starter sets currently available aren't want I want exactly, so I grabbed the track and this little set to get something on the rails. There is a train show coming next month and I figure I can add something more after I play around a bit and know whether I want more track, more calls, a different loco or whatever.
I've actually seen packs for the same price that contain this (albeit with generic markings) and 2 wagons. So this on its own isn't a very good deal, but I suppose you are paying for the BR livery more than anything.
In Japan they sell a different livery with 2 wagons for 3200 yen which is less than 25 pounds. I think Amazon Japan and PlazaJapan ship overseas. Shipping cost is high but if you can combine the order with other things, it may be worth it. Search for “Kato pocket line.” The great thing is that it can handle incredibly tight radius curves - Kato pocket line tracks go down to 122mm radius.
Nicely done, thank You 'Mate.
Tengo 3 de estos en sets con vagones ,tienen un funcionamiento mui fino y me divierto mucho en una macheta pequeña de radio 1 y 2 de fleismann ,además los set son muy baratos frente a esta locomotora negra que se vende sola por un precio bastante alto.
Looking good
Hi. As you said at the beginning, is it a cheap way into the hobby? It looks as though it is and once you are started, you can begin to buy better models. Not prototypical? Not every layout needs to adhere to this criterium - remember, Rule 1 applies. The idea is to enjoy the hobby. If it turns out this means rivet counting, etc., then this is your choice and you shouldn't be criticised for it. It runs well straight out of the box: this is Kato for you!
i've seen that other people have added glazing and buffers to it. i might try it and repaint it too.
Dont forget this comes on a standard kato powered chassis, if you don't like the locomotive buy a new 3d printed shell and detail/ paint it
what track do you use ?