Kato Milwaukee Road Bicenetnnial SD40-2

[6axlepwr]

Reading the Model:160 site, it appears the Kato Milwaukee Road Bicentennial SD40-2 will only be made available as a special order. That is what I read. It will be custom painted in Japan. Noted in the photo is the deck and handrails are differing colors.

Would look much better with the correct fuel tank under it. 

[Roger Holmes]

I painted my own many years ago.  I used a copier to shrink down an HO decal sheet.  My blue is too light and was based on the HO Athearn color and a post card.  If I was doing it now there would be many more internet resources that weren't as readily available then.



I saw Kato's version in Milwaukee and the blue looks a bit too dark.  The actual color is probably in between mine and Kato's and admittedly probably closer to Kato's.  Mine still makes me happy so no intention to shell out the $$$ for the new one.

[wazzou]

Dig your layout Roger.

[wcfn100]

Are the trucks and fuel tank on the Kato unit from a Santa Fe model?

Jason

[JanesCustomTrain]

Are the trucks and fuel tank on the Kato unit from a Santa Fe model?

Looks like PanAm

Jane

[jmlaboda]

"Would look much better with the correct fuel tank under it."

Could be a lot worse in not offering this special run at all.  I can't remember all the roads that didn't have the larger fuel tank but I am sure it was only about 3 or 4.  Unfortunately it would not be enough for them to justify tooling up for the smaller fuel tank.

[PGE-N°2]

I painted my own many years ago.  I used a copier to shrink down an HO decal sheet.  My blue is too light and was based on the HO Athearn color and a post card.  If I was doing it now there would be many more internet resources that weren't as readily available then.



I saw Kato's version in Milwaukee and the blue looks a bit too dark.  The actual color is probably in between mine and Kato's and admittedly probably closer to Kato's.  Mine still makes me happy so no intention to shell out the $$$ for the new one.

It looks close enough, to me. Just tell people the blue doesn't quite match because you shot the picture with Kodachrome.

I'm actually drooling over that stable full of GE's more.

[mplsjct]

Re: smaller fuel tank - was this a concession to the Milwaukee's poor track conditions at the time of order?

[Roger Holmes]

Thanks, guys.  Kodachrome it is 

[Bruce Bird]

Shouldn't that be Ektachrome instead of Kodachrome?

[PGE-N°2]

Just picked up one of the Kato versions at a show over the weekend, and it seems to be generally well done, as long as you don't count the non-proto fuel tank and other missing details.

My only slight disappointment with it is that, despite the promotional images Kato offered on their website, the actual wafer logo on the cab side is much smaller and less distinct than it should be. Methinks that the promotional model may have been a different scale.

[peteski]

My only slight disappointment with it is that, despite the promotional images Kato offered on their website, the actual wafer logo on the cab side is much smaller and less distinct than it should be. Methinks that the promotional model may have been a different scale.

In the world where H0 rules, this often is the case (especially if the company makes the H0 version of the model).  But that is usually quite evident in the photo (as H0 models usually have finer handrails and more details).  A careful  examination of the original photo should tell you if it was N or H0.

[Plumcrazy]

I wanted to buy one ,but bought Milwaukee bicentennial decals and a sale priced Pan-am sd40-2 instead . I thought Kato probably ran extra blue locos for the Kobo units.

[milw156]

The fuel tank for the Pan Am was molded in blue plastic, while the Cobo Bicentennial is a black tank painted blue, but they are very close. I was told by a Kato rep that the blue on the Milwaukee unit was specially mixed. Was tempted to ask if I could send them the shortened fuel tank to paint for me.
Rick

[soo]

I got mine, awhile back. I like it ALOT!!!






Yes there are somethings that are "off",, but hey,, so what.

Wyatt