Kato SD70ACE Phases

[ljudice]

I received my very nice SD70ACE's in the MP and WP schemes, but they raise a question. I thought these units (along with Katy) were a slightly earlier phase than the other units.

If so, what is the spotting feature, because I don't see any differences....

[Hyperion]

You mean in reality or on the model?  Because, I doubt Kato actually retooled anything for the differences.  They are extremely minor and even if they weren't I doubt they'd have gone through the trouble.

The only differences are some very minor piping differences along the frame, the rear sand hatch (single on top of hood for MP, WP, and Katy; and two straddling rear at headlight level on the others), and slightly smaller louvered area on the very top rear-most area of the rear hood of the MP, WP, and Katy units (look rear of the flared rad screens to see).

Not the best picture comparison, but you should be able to spot the differences since you can see what to look for:




The Kato unit is correct for the DRGW but not for the Katy, WP, and MP (unless they actually did change it, I haven't seen one).  They should have the sand hatch moved to the top and the louvers reduced by about half.  But overall minor differences (to me, some of you guys would probably freak )

[GaryHinshaw]

Good tutorial Mark.  The WP model photo is on the Kato site now and this comparison shows that they did not retool:

http://www.katousa.com/N/SD70ACe/WP.jpg
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=200695

Gary

[Walkercolt]

No, there was no way that Kato could afford to re-tool for things that on an N-scale model you need very good eyes or a magnifier to tell the differences. This is where the detail market (which is spotty in N-scale) comes in. In HO, those pieces are large enough to be molded seperately and glued on by the Chinese.
I really, really hope someone can photo-etch and resin cast the "corrections" for my Trainman Atlas GP-15's for Frisco/BN. I'm not nearly good enough to do it myself(but Ron B. is!). If not, I'll run 'em like Atlas made 'em.

[Robbman]

No, there was no way that Kato could afford to re-tool for things that on an N-scale model you need very good eyes or a magnifier to tell the differences.

Actually there was.... knowing the differences beforehand is key... there's these things called slides for detail differences inside a die ... or another die face can be used (i.e, you don't have to tool another six dies to do an end change... just tool the end face die)... but I digress.  

[ljudice]

Thanks for the education...  As you've all noted, Kato did not update the tooling.  Would have been nice if they did - and of course they have done some fairly subtle variations on the AC4400's and Dash-9's - although frankly, I guess the SD70ACE differences are a LOT more subtle.

[Sokramiketes]

No, there was no way that Kato could afford to re-tool for things that on an N-scale model you need very good eyes or a magnifier to tell the differences.

Actually there was.... knowing the differences beforehand is key... there's these things called slides for detail differences inside a die ... or another die face can be used (i.e, you don't have to tool another six dies to do an end change... just tool the end face die)... but I digress.  

Except Kato has a history of cutting entirely new tooling for each locomotive shell difference within a model line.  Think the single/dual headlight E8's are just a simple change in the nose tooling?  Think again.

[Robbman]

Think the single/dual headlight E8's are just a simple change in the nose tooling?  Think again.

Yes, I realize given the curvature on a cab unit it's not possible... but I thought we were talking about SD70ACes... not cab units. 

[Sokramiketes]

Think the single/dual headlight E8's are just a simple change in the nose tooling?  Think again.

Yes, I realize given the curvature on a cab unit it's not possible... but I thought we were talking about SD70ACes... not cab units. 

Tell that to Intermountain... and I wasn't saying it because of the curvatures, I was saying it because it's a Kato philosophy on any unit, and any detail change. 

[wazzou]

Not to mention tooling for a cast nose verses a welded one. ;D

[Sokramiketes]

Not to mention tooling for a cast nose verses a welded one. ;D

Did you just go there?   

[wazzou]

Yep...shows my longevity.

[Robbman]

Not to mention tooling for a cast nose verses a welded one. ;D

Oh god! 

[ednadolski]

Thanks for the education...  As you've all noted, Kato did not update the tooling.  Would have been nice if they did - and of course they have done some fairly subtle variations on the AC4400's and Dash-9's - although frankly, I guess the SD70ACE differences are a LOT more subtle.

Are they ever going to do a Dash-9 with the correct BNSF cab windows?   IIRC, they did that for the AC44s.

[ljudice]

They have BNSF Silver and BNSF H3 (repainted silver units, from the numbers) Dash-9's coming out in Dec/Jan. These particular units SHOULD have the four piece windows.  Remember the SP/UP Dash 9's were retooled and also remember the BNSF AC4400's have correct windows.

But as far as I know, no official word from them yet.