Kato's Steam Loco scale

[angusmclean]

I notice that Hobby Search's notes on the future release of Kato's D51.498 states a scale of 1:150.  I was under the impression that Kato's steam locos were at a scale of 1:140, discovered after buying a few Microace locos and wondering why they looked a little different, because they were smaller, and also by comparing plan drawings with actual model measurements.  Have Kato changed their scaling now, or is the quoted HS scale a 'generalisation' ?

Angus

[Fenway Park]

The scale of Japanese N gauge steam locos is a source of confusion. Whilst it is true that the majority of Kato's steam locos are 1/140 their C11 is nearer 1/130 while their 9600 is 1/144. Their new C62 is 1/150 as is the recent Tomix C57.  So Kato have decided to re vamp their D51 and make a new 1/150 version.

The Micro Ace steam locos are also a hotch potch and while their 9600 and D52/D62 are close to 1/150 their D50/D60 is way out. Micro Ace also suffer from being too tall in certain cases such as C58 C56 8620.

Sadly Micro Ace have not offered any new 9600s for several years and there are many variants still to go!!!!

So hopefully in time Kato will offer a new C59 as has been promised in their catalogue for many years. They may be reluctant to produce an all new C55. Now a completely new.

One Japanese modeller has all ready converted the new Tomix C57 into a C55!

[angusmclean]

Thanks for your informative reply.  I may try a Kato D51 in November.

Angus