Off the top of my head, I'd like to nominate the first U.S. outline HO switchers produced by Kato?
I believe it was an Alco S1?
Whatever the prototype, Kato set the ball rolling regarding accurate, FINE detail, and superb mechanisms, which the rest of the US-market manufacturers were compelled to follow.
Gone were the days of brute force and huge amperages.
Given their prices, I believe Kato spoilt things for the rest of the world as well, by providing superb mechanisms which really 'showed up' the shortcomings in European and UK-outline RTR models?
I also believe Kato spelt out the death knell for those into cheap 'n cheerful loco detailing?
I recall my efforts at detailing Athearns and Bachmann's products, and Model Power..to see the first Kato switchers, and feeling.....''what's the point in my wasting my time?''
I believe it was an Alco S1?
Whatever the prototype, Kato set the ball rolling regarding accurate, FINE detail, and superb mechanisms, which the rest of the US-market manufacturers were compelled to follow.
Gone were the days of brute force and huge amperages.
Given their prices, I believe Kato spoilt things for the rest of the world as well, by providing superb mechanisms which really 'showed up' the shortcomings in European and UK-outline RTR models?
I also believe Kato spelt out the death knell for those into cheap 'n cheerful loco detailing?
I recall my efforts at detailing Athearns and Bachmann's products, and Model Power..to see the first Kato switchers, and feeling.....''what's the point in my wasting my time?''
