Kato blows it again!!!!

[Scottl]

Kato rocks.  Google is your friend.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/N-SCALE-KATO-MILW-SD40-2-EARLY-176-4808-ROAD-149-MILWAUKEE-ROAD-/170787819496

[ljudice]

How does Kato determine what models are going the be produced. I would love to add some Montana Rail Link, SD 40, SD 45, SD 40-2 and SD 70 Ace units to my collection. I had one or two custom painted a few years back but was not happy with the results. I have five Atlas locomotives painted in MRL colors which are my favorites.

Kevin

People have been asking this question for years - I suspect it's a matter of what people are asking for and what they historically know will sell.  I am surprised they have not done MRL locos, since they fit into what a lot of people seem to think Kato believes there is a market for.  As for the SD70ACE, since MRL's have nose headlights and the current Kato model does not - this could be the reason.

[bbussey]

Are the Marsk units the correct configuration for Conrail?  So all they need is a repaint in blue and some white can-openers to be accurate?

[ljudice]

Are the Marsk units the correct configuration for Conrail?  So all they need is a repaint in blue and some white can-openers to be accurate?

Not really, they have incorrect trucks (which can be modified) and some other details, although none of them would massively bother me.

It would be nice if they did some NS "Soaring" or horsehead units.....

[6axlepwr]

Just a couple detail tid bits. With N-Scale we have to live with what we get and sometimes making the changes are not available or very painful. So for a correct Conrail SD40-2, I offer this information.

1. Trucks. Conrail SD40-2's rode on Type II flexicoils. The Kato model has HT-C. Now if the Kato SD40 trucks would swap in, you would have a correct Conrail SD40-2.

2. Ditch Lights. If you are modeling prior to about 1995, loose the ditch lights. After about 1995, keep the ditch lights. BUT they need to move to under the anti-climber. Not on top. I think most folks model the early years so easy to remove ditch lights.

Other than that, yes, the mid production SD40-2 would be fine for a Conrail SD40-2.

Brian

[bbussey]

That's good to know.  I might pick up a set of SD40 and SD40-2 trucks from Kato parts to see if the truck frames can be swapped.  I know none of the Kato SD40 trucks are 100% correct for Conrail, but which one is most correct — the Flexicoil with low-mount brakes, or with high-mount brakes?

[Leggy]

Sideframes can be swapped, the axles do indeed line up (just had a look between my new run early SD40-2 and SD45)



High mounts.

Also, Kato has released the SD40-2 in both the silly sprung bogies with ditchlights variant and the older style mech with no ditchlights flavour, the latter would be the one you want.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Kato-N-SD40-2-Early-Undecorated-p/kat-1764830.htm As in this.

[jlong]

Kato rocks.  Google is your friend.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/N-SCALE-KATO-MILW-SD40-2-EARLY-176-4808-ROAD-149-MILWAUKEE-ROAD-/170787819496

Yes, I have seen those on one or two occacions along with the $300 price tag and I assumed maybe they were custom painted because it came up so rarely. Now I'm wondering why they don't run them again after seeing price behavior. This has been typical of Kato in recent years.

[Mark5]

Sideframes can be swapped, the axles do indeed line up (just had a look between my new run early SD40-2 and SD45)

Odd that the axles would line up (they shouldn't)

Mark

[Dave Schneider]

I don't understand the apparent anger towards Kato for not announcing Milwaukee Road SD40-2s. There are MANY road names that would likely sell well that they haven't produced in a while. As a Milwaukee modeler I don't take it personally when my favorite road is missing from announcements from any manufacturer, so again I don't understand the complaint. By the way, I sold three of these last year via the Railwire trading post for a reasonable amount. It does happen. There is a 25 post limit to access the trading post so I encourage newcomers to post pictures and descriptions of their projects. That is what people find to be the most valuable contribution to this forum.

Best wishes, Dave

[JSL]

Roll your own. Not a hard scheme to paint at all. There plenty of undec out there now.

[6axlepwr]

Sorry. All Conrail SD40-2 had the high mount brake cylinders.

The SD40-2 and SD40 axles should not line up. The center axle on the SD40-2 is off center due to the orientation of the traction motor. On the SD40, all the traction motors are oriented the same way. Not so on the 40-2. Hence the center axle being off center. Kato may have just used the SD40 truck and tooled a new side frame. It is the type of thing we have to deal with in N-Scale

HO folks are a lot more vocal so they get the correct detail and detail specific road names. For the most part, N-scalers are pretty complacent with what is offered. Compromise here and there and as long as it looks right, there is no complaint.  When there is an error in HO scale, the whole world comes unglued and teh manufacturers get more than an ear full at train shows, their facebook sites and on all the forums. N-Scalers barely make a ripple if any.

Brian

[6axlepwr]

Roll your own. Not a hard scheme to paint at all. There plenty of undec out there now.

No worries about undec kato anymore. Stripping Kato paint is a Piece of Cake! It really is and it is 100% safe on the plastic. . But you have to know the secret to it.   

Be nice to me and I will do a video on it soon.

Brian

[Scottl]

99% isopropyl alcohol strips Kato, some of the new graphics just take more than an overnight soak.  I had a CSX SD70ACe that the large CSX logo took a week in alcohol to loosen.  So much drama about Kato (and other manufacturers paint schemes).  Buy some paint and decals.

[jlong]

I don't understand the apparent anger towards Kato for not announcing Milwaukee Road SD40-2s. There are MANY road names that would likely sell well that they haven't produced in a while. As a Milwaukee modeler I don't take it personally when my favorite road is missing from announcements from any manufacturer, so again I don't understand the complaint. By the way, I sold three of these last year via the Railwire trading post for a reasonable amount. It does happen. There is a 25 post limit to access the trading post so I encourage newcomers to post pictures and descriptions of their projects. That is what people find to be the most valuable contribution to this forum.

Best wishes, Dave

Well don't take my emotions for face value. Just like to add a little drama to my posts for comic reasons. Kind of the nature with trainheads. My fault for not using an emotioncon.I've been anticipating Milw Rd but the day just hasn't come. As others have posted, one must voice wants.