Kato Mid Production SD40-2 New Run

[cjm413]

Again that's true - but if we can listen years worth of SPF's ranting about the lack of a K-4 everytime another Pennsy loco came out - until they got a K-4, then we can endure my lone reed waving about a white KCS SD40-2.  I have done the same thing one every other thread by every other manufacturer.

Now back to your regular programming.

Kato "early" SD40-2 would be good for KCS...but they do tend to pick out the oddball paint schemes over the ordinary...

[ednadolski]

The Partridge Family Railway? (PFTX?)

Ed

[Rivet Miscounter]

we can endure my lone reed waving about a white KCS SD40-2.

I support your quest for a white KCS SD40-2.   If I were still in N I would be right there with you.      I do think it is sort of puzzling that nobody has done these, especially given their wild fandom popularity during their last 5-10 years on the prototype.   I do however agree that Kato is probably not your huckleberry.

[nightmare0331]

Granted, HO, but it's not that hard to roll your own on white KCS locos if so inclined....(I whipped this up a while ago)





Anywhoo...enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[Albert in N]

Kato did produce UP SD40-2s in 2013, but these were labeled as "early" in that there were no ditch lights.  Also, they had their traditional bolted frame mechanism and not screwless assembly like the ones with ditch lights.  Here is a photo of mine.   BTW, this is probably my best Kato with lower speed range matching Atlas Classics.  Also, here are prototype UP SD40-2s with ditch lights, one long nose "snoot" and one standard nose, taken in Chickasha OK on October 15, 2015.   Last photo shows SD40-2 number 3769 leading the closest train.  See the horn positions. 

[cjm413]

Kato did produce UP SD40-2s in 2013, but these were labeled as "early" in that there were no ditch lights.  Also, they had their traditional bolted frame mechanism and not screwless assembly like the ones with ditch lights.  Here is a photo of mine.   BTW, this is probably my best Kato with lower speed range matching Atlas Classics.  Also, here are prototype UP SD40-2s with ditch lights, one long nose "snoot" and one standard nose, taken in Chickasha OK on October 15, 2015.   Last photo shows SD40-2 number 3769 leading the closest train.  See the horn positions. 

"Early" is a reference to a Phase Ia unit with wire-mesh radiator grills, 81" short hood, etc.

Kato's "Mid-production" is a Phase II with corrugated radiators, standard 88" short hood, optional anticlimber, and retrofitted with ditch lights.  This model without any modifications is only accurate for units built for BN or ATSF and later retrofitted with ditch lights.

Kato's "snoot" could also be called "mid-production" since it is also a Phase II, but with an optional 116" short hood, no anticlimber, and no ditch lights.   This model without any modifications is only accurate for units built for UP.

[kscessandriver]

I support your quest for a white KCS SD40-2.   If I were still in N I would be right there with you.      I do think it is sort of puzzling that nobody has done these, especially given their wild fandom popularity during their last 5-10 years on the prototype.   I do however agree that Kato is probably not your huckleberry.

Count me in on KCS, even though I have way more KCS than I need.

[Albert in N]

   The candy stripe handrails near the front and rear steps on KCS white diesel locomotives would be really hard to paint on N scale.  Look at the HO loco in this post.  Also, the current Southern Belle KCS colors or the intermediate gray would probably be more likely chosen by Kato. 

[EspeeGoldenState]

  The candy stripe handrails near the front and rear steps on KCS white diesel locomotives would be really hard to paint on N scale.  Look at the HO loco in this post.  Also, the current Southern Belle KCS colors or the intermediate gray would probably be more likely chosen by Kato.

Microscale makes a decal for the handrails. And a lot of models dont even have them done correctly from the manufacturer.
Kansas City Southern Diesel Handrail Stripes (1966+) -- Stock# 60-4364

Chris

[Philip H]

Also, the current Southern Belle KCS colors or the intermediate gray would probably be more likely chosen by Kato.

Intermountain has done both of those.

[jereising]

The 1596 shown is a SD40N - rebuilt with new electronics, air conditioning (cab roof) and different horn position.  All of UPs' existing SD40-2s have now been converted to the N variant, sold, or scrapped.  UP has something like 1,000 SD40Ns now.  There are no RTR models available although Intermountain is allegedly making one.   Given the reviews of their SD40-2s I'm still debating purchase of a couple.

[Jbub]

The 1596 shown is a SD40N - rebuilt with new electronics, air conditioning (cab roof) and different horn position.  All of UPs' existing SD40-2s have now been converted to the N variant, sold, or scrapped.  UP has something like 1,000 SD40Ns now.  There are no RTR models available although Intermountain is allegedly making one.   Given the reviews of their SD40-2s I'm still debating purchase of a couple.

I'm anxiously waiting for the 40N's since I see them all the time around Salt Lake. Lately more frequently than a 70m on main line service since all the 70m's are sitting on a yard track in Salt Lake yard.

[wazzou]

...UP has something like 1,000 SD40Ns now. 

Further proof that at one time EMD was a superior locomotive manufacturer.
Though refurbished and upgraded, most of those units are approaching 50 years old.

[mmagliaro]

Glad Kato is rerunning these, if only to help keep alive the source of geared axles and worms.  Their SD40-2 mid-production is one of only a few they make that uses a geared axle tube with the gear in the CENTER (not offset), and uses mod 0.2 (finer) gears and worm.  The GG-1 is another one.

[Albert in N]

   Thanks for the info, Max.  Of all my Kato diesels, my two SD40-2s (one early and one mid production) have the best speed range.  These come close to my Atlas Classics (medium speed, not as slow as the scale speed Master Line).  The early SD40-2 has split halves held together by two bolts and plastic nuts.  The mid production has the newer screwless mechanism.  Both run flawlessly and are nearly perfect.  Maybe the SD40-2s do have different gearing.  I own 16 Kato F units, 2 E units (E-5 and E-8), 2 Budd RDCs, and 7 assorted SD and U locomotives.  These are all Kato brand and I did not count several older Atlas/Kato diesels.  Of these, they generally run faster than the SD-40s with the speediest being my SD-45 and AC4400CW.  The SD 45 (mechanism appears similar to my early SD40-2) gets up to 25 scale miles per hour before the light comes on (about 4 volts) and goes fast enough at 10-12 volts to almost jumping off the 13 3/4 inch radius curved Kato Unitrack.  I am using DC from an MRC 280 Tech 4.  The Fs, Es, RDCs, U-Boats, SD70M all seem to play well with each other.  I definitely have plans on getting at least one of the late 2020 / early 2021 Kato SD40-2 diesels.