SDP40Fs now arriving

[Ed Kapuscinski]

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Kato-N-1769201-SDP40F-Amtrak-p/kat-1769201.htm
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Kato-N-1769202-SDP40F-Amtrak-p/kat-1769202.htm

Anyone have their hands on one yet? Thoughts? Impressions?

I'm not expecting any surprises with them, but then again, that's why they're surprises.

[bbussey]

Yup. Got mine today. It's nice.

[bbussey]

Got the Southwest Limited set also. Equally nice. The blue in the Antrak stripes is fully opaque this time around, compared to some previous Amtrak passenger releases.

[flight2000]

Any idea what decoder will fit in it?

Cheers,
Brian

[bbussey]

Nope. I assume whatever is valid for the SD40-2, since I believe it is the same mechanism.

I take some of it back regarding the passenger car decos. It is opaque. But it is the inkjet process rather than tamped inks, albeit far better done than previous inkjet deco'd Kato models.

[bman]

Got notification that mine would be shipping out today.  Watched the pre-production video that Kato has on their website and the mech is not the same as the dash-2's.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIX4Afw5ljE&list=UUD4u4KFbkn_IJ3Rds7a9XSQ   he removed the shell around the 3 minute mark if your impatient like I am.

 Digitrax decoder selector says the DN163KA4 fits this which is the same as the  Kato N Scale Glacier Express and 4-8-4 FEF Steam Locomotive if I read their handy little chart correctly.  TCS shows a K7D4.  So not the same as the SD40-2's.  Of which I had 2 lying around waiting for me to paint the locos I will be putting them in.  Oh well.  I'll just have to be a bit more patient to get decoders for these.  But it will be nice to have something in Phase I paint other than an E's running around the layout. 

[tehachapifan]

These really hurt to pass up but I'm going to have to. Extra difficult be because I remember riding behind these as a child in the 70's and one of my first (HO) trains was an Athearn Amtrak with these engines.

[sp org div]

These really hurt to pass up but I'm going to have to. Extra difficult be because I remember riding behind these as a child in the 70's and one of my first (HO) trains was an Athearn Amtrak with these engines.

Aww come on Russ, sound equipped SDP40F's are only $250 a piece.  I just took out a second mortgage on my home to buy power and cars for my Coast Starlight train..... what's wrong with you?   

[bman]

Aww come on Russ, sound equipped SDP40F's are only $250 a piece.  I just took out a second mortgage on my home to buy power and cars for my Coast Starlight train..... what's wrong with you?   

But some of us don't own houses.   Of course, if I did I'd have done the same.

[nightmare0331]

Any idea what decoder will fit in it?

Cheers,
Brian

For non sound TCS K7D4 drops right on.

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[BobRunty]

Mine are on the way too. Didn't really need them but they were such a staple of my teenage railfanning days back in the mid 70's I had to have them. Should be plenty of room for a Loksound Select and speaker,(if I had known they were going to offer such when I reserved I would have just waited but too late now.) Maybe pick up a Ph. II scheme with sound when they're released.

Bob

[Robbman]

Nope. I assume whatever is valid for the SD40-2, since I believe it is the same mechanism.

Shouldnt be... SDP40Fs are longer.  I may pick one up for my Hilltopper/Mountaineer... rooftop issues notwithstanding.

[squirrelhunter]

Robbman, what are the roof issues with the SDP40F?

[nightmare0331]

Mine are on the way too. Didn't really need them but they were such a staple of my teenage railfanning days back in the mid 70's I had to have them. Should be plenty of room for a Loksound Select and speaker,(if I had known they were going to offer such when I reserved I would have just waited but too late now.) Maybe pick up a Ph. II scheme with sound when they're released.

Bob

You'll need a select micro.  Standard select will be too large.

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[Ed Kapuscinski]

One came to visit Windsor St today. It was very fetching.