NMRA British Region Forum

Kato USA have released this fascinating video documenting their new HO scale mech, as installed on a rather nice (but off-topic) Japanese tri-bo Electric. More relevant is the explicit comment that they will fit this to a new, upcoming US outline HO scale model...

Enjoy!

Nice to see that they have a sense of humour at the end of the clip.

It looks promising, similar to RailFlyer Models has promised for a long time, but failed to deliver so far. (their version is even more reduced in size as their motors are the size of HO traction motors, and fitted in a similar way).

I'm hoping these drives will be equally smooth and reliable than the current project. It's odd that it has taken so long for manufacturers to pick up on motors in the trucks (of a decent quality, not talking about 'Tenshodo puds' here).
A new generation of Kato geeps perhaps?

Koos

'Pull test' using the new Kato mech (under the new Kato P42)

That's pretty impressive, and the undecorated sample looks promising too.

Koos

Yep, looks the part - and on a loco like that it seems to be able to easily handle more weight that you're likely to throw at one.

I'm wondering if it's compatible gearing-wise with older mechs, it would make a Midwest corridor push pull (with ex F40 cab car) much easier as I could just leave both ends powered.

Yes that's a good point Martyn.
I guess some differences can be compensated for by programming custom speed curves etc, but it would be great if the units match the older drive much closer.

Koos

So that's Kato's new Us-outline model: Double-stacked locomotives, as opposed to locomotives for double-stacked trains?!