Atlas C40-8W

[oakcreekco]

The "bigger" price is for the "bigger" GAP

[nscalesteve]

thats only part of it .. there are the ditch lights, looks like some new tooling ..

the ditch lights are a nice feature but I am really wondering why Kato can design and manufacture a model with all the little pieces fitting nice and flush together without any gaps and w/o any glue to held them together... ? (and that all for a much lower price ?)

[oakcreekco]

IMO, it's called "engineering and design".........that's Kato.

"Reverse engineering" is China at its' best. Reverse engineering is never as good, for any product.

I remember when I used to get frustrated getting Katos apart. Exact tooling and molding, that held everything in its' correct place. Once understood, I had to give a "hats off" to Kato for going this route.

I still didn't fully appreciate this building technique until I purchased some undecs from LL, Atlas, and a few others. Glue at it's best, and totally frustrating. The "cheap way out" to build an engine.

Kato would rather build precise tooling, pay more up front, and then have a reliable system that works during assembly and disassembly.

Others, well, let's "get it close".....................and glue it

[lock4244]

IMO, it's called "engineering and design".........that's Kato.

"Reverse engineering" is China at its' best. Reverse engineering is never as good, for any product.

I remember when I used to get frustrated getting Katos apart. Exact tooling and molding, that held everything in its' correct place. Once understood, I had to give a "hats off" to Kato for going this route.

I still didn't fully appreciate this building technique until I purchased some undecs from LL, Atlas, and a few others. Glue at it's best, and totally frustrating. The "cheap way out" to build an engine.

Kato would rather build precise tooling, pay more up front, and then have a reliable system that works during assembly and disassembly.

Others, well, let's "get it close".....................and glue it

It's why my Mazda has never broken down or required repairs that weren't the complete result of my own stupidity, while our IT guy's new Pontiac G8 had to be towed the day he picked it up, brand new, from the dealer and has had multiple recalls in less than a year. Do it right the first time or you get to do it over and over again.

[nscalesteve]

while our IT guy's new Pontiac G8 had to be towed the day he picked it up, brand new, from the dealer and has had multiple recalls in less than a year...

...aren't they built in Australia by Holden ? (cheap shot, I know...) 

[ñiao]

"Reverse engineering" is China at its' best. Reverse engineering is never as good, for any product.

Thats the way Japan started. Somehow they got their act together. ;D

[lock4244]

My Mazda may not have a scale width hood, but it runs great, the lenses for the headlights are not glued on, and there are no gaps in the body  ;D

In all seriousness, this is a very rare gaffe by Atlas... I think it goes without saying that they have a reputation for quality that is the envy of many. Everyone makes an error here and there, and I suspect Atlas will make this right

[ñiao]

Aren't Mazdas built in Ford factories?  ;D

[oakcreekco]

When I look at the pics, the glue, taping, and wires remind me of a good "kitbash" or "scratchbuilding" ................not of how to mass produce locos.

[nscalesteve]

I did some modifications...
...it is not perrfect but at least I don't have to use glue to put the cabs back on and both gaps are now gone or at least barely visible



two styrene stripes glued (there is this word again, GLUE !  ) drilled holes and a taped for the little Microtrains screws...
(thanks to Chris for the idea...)



holes in the sill and the screws from underneat...



I did also remove that "utterly ugly" gasket (it's too big in my opinion - but that's just me... ;D ) and the gap in front and above the boxes is now "nearly" disapeared. I can live with the result and after painting and weathering it will be barely visible (I hope !  )

this is just one way to do it and I will do it on the three other engines as well before I will paint them.

I would like to mention that the ditch lights, the coupler cut levers and the MU cable is a really nice touch on this models. also the snow plow is a part I will order when they will be available to replace some on Kato models with the ugly molded in MU hoses on their plows...

that's all from my side, next pictures will show the finished models, do not expect them any time soon... 

[kiwi_al]

that's all from my side, next pictures will show the finished models, do not expect them any time soon...  Wink

Beauty mate BUT I expect a completed model done by 10.00am RotoVega$ time thursday 9 July 2009, penalty is half a kitkat ;D ;D

[wes_sutton]

while our IT guy's new Pontiac G8 had to be towed the day he picked it up, brand new, from the dealer and has had multiple recalls in less than a year...

...aren't they built in Australia by Holden ? (cheap shot, I know...) 

If they will insist on driving them on the right hand side of the road 

[sundowner]

Aren't Mazdas built in Ford factories?  ;D

Actually Ford owns Mazda.

[flight2000]

Is it possibly that Atlas switched factories (forced or otherwise) and is now using the same glue happy guys that I/M uses?  Just a thought as the paint looks really similar in thickness as well when compared to my SD45-2.  ???

Brian

[tom mann]

I actually thought everything was made in the same factory (by the same 3 or 4 older women)?