Kato ACS-64 and Amfleet I: photos posted

Those look slick! I have a small N scale layout and will definitely grab a set when they are released. I wonder if they will finally do Amfleets in HO?

I think if I had to guess who might manufacture the ACS-64 in HO:

35% chance Bachmann - Did a decent job with the HHP-8, but might be reluctant to tackle another locomotive that only Amtrak uses right now. Possible foobies to fill the production run?

20% chance Walthers - The Metroliners were a pleasant surprise, but as stated above Walthers might not want to tackle a locomotive that only one transit agency uses right now. If SEPTA and MARC decides to purchase the ACS-64 to replace their AEM-7 fleet, then Walthers might produce these. Odds on favorite since Walthers holds the licensing to Phase IVb.

20% chance Rapido - This would be a home run for Rapido if they decide to tackle the ACS-64. My sleeper pick if all goes well with the F40PH.

10% chance Kato - Personally, I don't think a HO Kato version will get done, but it would be interesting to see them tackle a US HO scale electric locomotive, which would be a first.

10% chance Atlas - Would absolutely love Atlas to do the ACS-64, but again I think more transit agencies would have to use this locomotive besides Amtrak.

4% chance Athearn - As far as I know, Athearn has never produced an electric locomotive, and I don't think they will start now.

4% chance Piko - Since the locomotive is based on the Taurus platform, Piko already produces a close cousin to the ACS-64. It wouldn't take much to adjust the tooling to do one, but I'd be concerned that it would look "toyish" like some of their other HO locomotives.

And 2% chance someone else like BLI (no DC version, sound only), or MTH (automatic pantographs).

That's my 2 cents...be happy to hear what others opinions are.

Only if Athearn does the ACS-64 in the Genesis line. Can you imagine the uproar if Athearn does the ACS-64 in the Genesis line and not the P42?

Another wild card to consider is if Amtrak decides to re-paint & change the fleet again to Phase IIIb to match the new Viewliner baggage cars. That alone could make it a little more
enticing for someone to tool up & manufacture one. It at least would allow for another paint scheme to be made in HO.

I would pretty well agree with that assessment. Bachmann is probably a reasonable chance in HO, and though you'd think it would make sense for Kato, they're really quiet on the HO front these days. Someone who talked to them at the Portland show said they're focusing on N scale and also looking at doing more re-releases in the near future, since their production backlogs mean that tackling major new projects is not ideal right now. Personally I would be pretty hesitant if Kato were to announce it in HO, just because if it's anything like their P42, it will be a rather lackluster model.

I may have guessed Atlas in the past because of the AEM-7, but in their current state and with the next run of AEM-7s getting pushed back (with no changes and the addition of foobies to try to justify it), I wouldn't bet on it.

I also wouldn't bet on Rapido or Athearn, because they're both fairly busy and a modern Amtrak electric is rather out of both of their focal ranges.

Walthers could always surprise us, as they don't currently offer any good power for their gorgeous new Amfleets, and the ACS-64 would be a good fit (though limited to Northeast Corridor fans)

MTH could indeed surprise us, as no one ever seems to know exactly what they're planning. But it would probably have some gimmicky feature indeed. Heck, if BLI did it they'd probably throw in a smoke generator for no conceivable reason....

LOL...absolutely correct about BLI and MTH, but I could see the gimmick of rising & lowering of pantographs as a decent selling marketing feature.

Now mini LED lights to show arcing of the pantographs with no overhead wires....whole different gimmick.

Totally agree about the Kato P42 missing key details. At the very least, they could have added spruce trees like they do with their other locomotives for the modeler to add on if so desired for the high asking price. I would be hesitant about Kato doing a decent HO ACS-64 for that reason.

But the pulling power of the Kato P42 IMO is second to none. I have one Kato P42 that pulls 8 Walthers Amfleets right out their boxes with no problems. My Athearn P42 barely pulls 5 after adding LaBelle.

One dark horse that I forgot to mention. Fleischmann/Roco. They have some excellent looking locomotives and the company has some major expertise with electrics. If they ever wanted to get back into the US HO market in a major way, the ACS-64 would be a great start.

I'm pretty selective when it comes to Athearn locomotives as of late. Too many quality issues.

I've been lucky to not have a problem with MTH locos. I have 2 MTH GG1's and fingers cross, haven't had a problem yet.

But I had a MTH's D&H 5 car passenger set a few years ago and sold it off because they were the wrong scale length, which was unacceptable. I didn't notice it until after I bought it and took a loss on the sale.

I know Roco would do a bang up job if enticed to do the ACS-46. I watched a Roco German DB-AG BR-101, on a friend's layout pull 8 Horizon cars (the BR-101 is a close cousin to the ALP-46) and that locomotive would pull those cars with no problems.

For a decoder, I'm sure they would use Loksound.

I'd be interested to see what get's announced within the next 4 months. Seems a lot of great announcements come out between now and New Years.

I just got back from the West Springfield show and if we want an ACS-64 in HO scale then we need to start emailing Atlas ASAP!! This locomotive is not my particular era but I will make an exception as I have grown to like them. Seeing them daily when I am at work has planted the seed. I would say that Atlas is the most likely even though Kato has produced it in N scale. The N scale version has done extremely well I was told.

I did have fun. Atlas did say that they were coming out this year. Towards summertime (give or take a month or so...seriously).They still have not recorded the sound files yet from what a source told me today (not many left in service so hurry up). Pre-order if you are able. The guy did ask me if I wanted to see an ACS-64 produced. I had to say yes. Email the higher ups.