Kato annouces early version sd40-2

[C855B]

Well for your sample size of one...

Not at all - I have two GTEL8500s, two GTEL4500s, and four SD40-2s. The "Big Blows" were troublesome at the start, but with (not factory) help the problem was nailed-down. They're great. The GTEL4500s are the best runners on my railroad, bar none. They sail through some very questionable track cleaning. 16-wheel power pickup will do that.

Sorry about your C39 experience. I can't explain that. But one thing - sound, or no sound? I am 100% sound-free, and use ESU LokPilots in everything that doesn't have a TCS fitment. Could decoders be a factor here? My experience with BLI recent production (multiple RSD-15s) as well seems to point at that.

As to the carbon black cars, I have two, and scraped-off their coupler boxes right away to replace with MTL TSC. Did not bother with their couplers at all. Didn't notice any wheel wobble.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Where 2mm = 1 scale foot, and the hood is 4mm too wide, ~15% larger than the prototype (and the ST version). It was a lousy picture, so I did myself no favors there. The width difference is most visible around the fans.

What is visible to me is the proportions. Length, good. Height, good enough. Frame width, good. Hood width, uhhhhhhh... somethin's off here. It's especially noticeable in the nose. Consists with other makers' models tend to exacerbate my perception.

YMMV, obviously.

EXACTLY. When they were the only game in town and EVERYTHING was equally wrong, it wasn't so bad.

But when you lash em up with stuff that's right it starts to stick out.

[Dave V]

EXACTLY. When they were the only game in town and EVERYTHING was equally wrong, it wasn't so bad.

But when you lash em up with stuff that's right it starts to stick out.

Good point here too. Therein lies the "problem" with upping your game. The old stuff starts to stand out amongst the new stuff.

When I was modeling the Pennsy I had plenty of Trainman cars that rolled in consist with the good stuff from Bluford Shops, ESM, and the like. And while the train was in motion, everything was fine. But a cut of cars on a siding...it became obvious who the first string and second string players were.

I never gave the locos much thought, but I never had a situation where I had identical prototype engines from different manufacturers.

[Mark5]

The fat hoods have always been obvious to me. But, back in the 1990s when these came out - they were by far the best to be had and and in some cases the only game in town.

As time marches on, my Atlas/Kato GP30s and GP35s, along with my Kato SD40s and SD45s look increasingly out of place. Given that it has been a quarter century (or more) since these shells were tooled - this is to be expected.

When better SD40-2s came onto the market, I unloaded my KATO units (except for one "mid" production version) - still waiting on a decent replacement for that one.

Obviously, these are my personal preferences - so roll with what makes ya happy! 

Mark

[Philip H]

Well if all of you are so anti-Kato, you should make the rest of us a really sweet bulk deal. 

[jagged ben]

Well if all of you are so anti-Kato, you should make the rest of us a really sweet bulk deal. 

Well, if we don't buy these new releases then more of them will end up on clearance.   

[NorsemanJack]

I only buy Kato, and am only struggling to decide how many of these to buy.  Part of me is thinking 2 each of the BN, UP and Milw.  I've been waiting a LONG time for Kato early SD40s (-2 or not). 

[ridinshotgun]

Not at all - I have two GTEL8500s, two GTEL4500s, and four SD40-2s. The "Big Blows" were troublesome at the start, but with (not factory) help the problem was nailed-down. They're great. The GTEL4500s are the best runners on my railroad, bar none. They sail through some very questionable track cleaning. 16-wheel power pickup will do that.

Sorry about your C39 experience. I can't explain that. But one thing - sound, or no sound? I am 100% sound-free, and use ESU LokPilots in everything that doesn't have a TCS fitment. Could decoders be a factor here? My experience with BLI recent production (multiple RSD-15s) as well seems to point at that.

As to the carbon black cars, I have two, and scraped-off their coupler boxes right away to replace with MTL TSC. Did not bother with their couplers at all. Didn't notice any wheel wobble.

Once again as I always say in these threads when ST comes up. I give them props for what they are bringing to market but at the price they command they should be spot on right out of the box and not require tinkering. I don’t care if you believe that is what model railroading is all about. It’s not but for a small segment of the hobby anymore. If that is what you are going to make me do for new purchases then it should be reflected in the price.

The C39 have ESU lokpilots and I am very familiar with using a lokprogrammer to get excellent results on test track with them. They just can’t keep it when running. At some point they are either dragging or pushing all the other locos in a consist all within the same run around a layout. Runs great at times other not. I am convinced the issue is subpar motors.

The carbon black car issue i have isolated to crappy trucks since wheels have been changed out, couplers changed and weight added. None of it worked but changing out the trucks is most difficult since there are no drop in trucks that fit the ST stuff. I mean why do that when you excel at using things like wired trucks and mchenry couplers. I guess the Sd40 is a step in the right direction with the MTL clone coupler. Only took them how many years of people complaining about their couplers. But in talking to them at Amherst the coupler isn’t going to be widespread on their stuff.

I have decent order in for the tunnel motors they are going to do but after reading your write up about the pulling power of the sd40’s I am seriously rethinking that since I can only imagine the tunnels will be lighter. I might just stick with my fleet of IM tunnels that I have gotten running very well even with the warts they have with their outward appearance.

[NorsemanJack]

Back slightly more on topic.  Upon further inspection of the Kato USA website, only one of the Milwaukee Road units is mentioned as having the later Hiawatha logo on the nose, suggesting that the other will be the more common scheme.   Can any Milwaukee Road fans comment?  I don't want the later Hiawatha logo scheme, but will be a buyer of the earlier scheme.

[milw156]

PM me if you are interested in (up to) a pair of the original run **with shortened fuel tanks.

[milw12]

Back slightly more on topic.  Upon further inspection of the Kato USA website, only one of the Milwaukee Road units is mentioned as having the later Hiawatha logo on the nose, suggesting that the other will be the more common scheme.   Can any Milwaukee Road fans comment?  I don't want the later Hiawatha logo scheme, but will be a buyer of the earlier scheme.

I'd assume since Kato didn't list #30 as a Hiawatha it'll be in the standard scheme, and unless they go full foobie it should appear as seen here:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2703389

For those modeling after when the logo was reintroduced in 1983 you can recreate part of this scene with both new units:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5814132

 

Lucas

[NorsemanJack]

PM me if you are interested in (up to) a pair of the original run **with shortened fuel tanks.

Thanks for the offer.  I'm just planning to buy the one new release in the older paint scheme. 

[NorsemanJack]

I'd assume since Kato didn't list #30 as a Hiawatha it'll be in the standard scheme, and unless they go full foobie it should appear as seen here:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2703389

For those modeling after when the logo was reintroduced in 1983 you can recreate part of this scene with both new units:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5814132

 

Lucas

Thanks!! Those photos suggest what I wanted to hear.