I have three Kato GP9's that I bought around 1990 at Kato's main store in Tokyo (you should see their layout!). 1 in CN green, 2 in Pennsy black. I didn't notice at the time, but apparently they are riding on RS-1 (?) mechanisms, which have a shorter wheelbase. A bit of corner-cutting on Kato's part, apparently.
The difference is fairly obvious - too much setback - the truck mounted coupler boxes were extended to fit the longer GP9 frame. If I'd been paying attention I probably wouldn't have bought them, but I was in a big hurry, and they hadn't been released in Canada yet, so I just had to have them.
They've been sitting in boxes all these years, but they still run fine. Not bad workmanship, but of course they've since been surpassed. They don't fit what I'm doing now, and I don't feel like repainting them since they have the above mentioned (to me) flaw. I don't need RS-1's either, even if the shells were available, but I guess someone might want to attempt that. What to do... what to do....
Any ideas? Anyone want them? I'd consider a trade.
They run fine on code 55 BTW. 40, I'm not sure.
Mac B. Vancouver BC