What's the wisdom: Kato SD40-2 vs. ScaleTrains SD40-2?

[ednadolski]

How do these compare performance-wise?  Or lighting?   I have several Katos, and just wondering if it's time to add an ST (Rivet-Counter) or two to the mix.

How about sound?   I presume they both suffer from factory-itis in that regard.

I presume that ST being a newer production probably has the edge WRT detailing and specific proto/paint accuracy, tho i suspect the Kato paint quality and graphics are better.  I am sure ST would benefit just as much from scale wire parts as the Kato.

Ed

[C855B]

I can't address Kato's latest release so I may not have all the facts straight, but I think we can agree that Kato rarely (never?) retools their shells... so... the Kato is a little fatter through the hood, and the ST is markedly superior when it comes to quantity and quality of detail.

Performance with both is most excellent. ST shortcoming is it's lighter, but I haven't subjected the Kato to the pulling-up-a-2% test, either. General experience with Kato 6-axle models would indicate better than ST.

No intel here on sound.

[Mark5]

I presume that ST being a newer production probably has the edge WRT detailing and specific proto/paint accuracy, tho i suspect the Kato paint quality and graphics are better. 

Ed

Based on the Katos I have or had, the ST paint is definitely superior in my opinion (granted, my units are black N&W  ).

On the shells, no contest - the Kato tooling is badly dated (obviously wide hood (to my eye) and try putting scale number boards on the long hood  ).

Mark

[robertjohndavis]

Kato drives are great. Everything else favors ST (which run great as well).

Lack of details, solid color handrails, chunky shells, and limited road variations are hallmarks of Kato SD’s. If they were $150 with sound they would be worth it, but they are charging ST prices for a much lesser quality model.

Rob

[Missaberoad]

I have both and love both. Paint, Dimensional accuracy and detail Scaletrains wins all in spades. Kato is bulletproof, well designed and full of nostalgia. (Edit: and cheap at 100 bucks street price in Canada!)

My biggest issue is do I really need 12 Milwaukee SD40-2s? 

P.S. Intermountain comes third due to assembly issues, however they have made roads not touched by the others yet.
Hopefully Scaletrains gives Soo Line some love, the as delivered curved scheme would be a happy addition.

[robert3985]

How do these compare performance-wise?  Or lighting?   I have several Katos, and just wondering if it's time to add an ST (Rivet-Counter) or two to the mix.

How about sound?   I presume they both suffer from factory-itis in that regard.

I presume that ST being a newer production probably has the edge WRT detailing and specific proto/paint accuracy, tho i suspect the Kato paint quality and graphics are better.  I am sure ST would benefit just as much from scale wire parts as the Kato.

Ed

Ed, Although I won't be buying any SD40-2's  because they are way too modern considering my era, I would venture an opinion that the ST models are, by far, the most superior SD40-2's ever made for N-scale.

Yes, I know you detail the Hell out of your models, including your fabulous .006" rails and grabs, but....I'll let the photo do the talking...take a close look at this....


I'm verrry tempted to buy an ST UP SD40-2 Snoot just to display it.  But, I most likely will resist temptation.  However, if these were in my era, I'd be a lot poorer.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[samusi01]

The only advantage I see of Kato is generally more readily available repair parts or locomotives on eBay that can be used to keep your fleet running. Beyond that... Kato, Intermountain, and ScaleTrains all released MILW SD40-2 recently. Only the ST version resides on the layout.

[peteski]

Mechanically, no other model runs like a Kato (up to 200 smiles/hr). But seriously, Kato's simple mechanical design and precise manufacturing using quality materials is superior to any other manufacturer's models.

If you want a super-detailed model with lots of fragile glued-on parts (and sometimes thick paint), more accurate hood and reasonable running quality, go for the ST model.

[lock4244]

In my experience ST beat all comers, including Kato, in every metric except operation. The ST run nice, but nothing runs like a Kato.

[milw156]

I have both and love both. Paint, Dimensional accuracy and detail Scaletrains wins all in spades. Kato is bulletproof, well designed and full of nostalgia. (Edit: and cheap at 100 bucks street price in Canada!)

My biggest issue is do I really need 12 Milwaukee SD40-2s? 

P.S. Intermountain comes third due to assembly issues, however they have made roads not touched by the others yet.
Hopefully Scaletrains gives Soo Line some love, the as delivered curved scheme would be a happy addition.

Only Scale Trains got the Milwaukee road fuel tanks correct. IM's are shorter that Kato, but still too long (IIRC 3 feet) but still look much "righter" than Kato and are not too difficult to shorten.much better details too

[Missaberoad]

Only Scale Trains got the Milwaukee road fuel tanks correct. IM's are shorter that Kato, but still too long (IIRC 3 feet) but still look much "righter" than Kato and are not too difficult to shorten.much better details too

I'm definitly tempted to pickup a couple intermountain Milwaukees. They did the right numbers for early Locotrol master and slave units.

I already have Soo CP Rail and Rock island. Pretty happy with them besides the assembly issues.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Fun fact about the Kato SD40-2s: they've been gaslighting us into thinking that other SD units ride too high for YEARS.

The side sills are about twice as tall as they should be. As a result they actually ride too low.

There's no easy fix for that either.

[Albert in N]

  My Kato SD40-2 Mid Production has run flawlessly for four years.  It is the screwless version with ditch lights.  The 90s ditch lights and aged tooling are offset by ruggedness and trouble-free operation.  As a deviation from topic, the 50s Ford pickup is a Classic Metal Works; the Fordson tractor is an Oxford Diecast.  The GN boxcar is from MTL.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh shoot, I almost forgot!

Before I sold off three of my four IM SD40-2s I took a set of photos showing off my fleet at its peak.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOOf3kJ4zWXe0Dh66ei3yaBkWBB_h-80WhNcNI3ZzZtcGGXw9kIWxFcsqpOWEo0oA?key=YmE2VjRRRllhNG1wSno5YlAyeHhLcFdraDVaekZn

6366 is a kitbashed Kato model. The engines with the silver antennas are ScaleTrains, the blue ones are all HEAVILY improved Intermountain models.

[Rivet Miscounter]

Have 25% of your roster Scaletrains to use for your Model Railroader photo shoot, about 50% Kato (mostly six-axle power) for running trains, (keeping the ScaleTrains on the point) and the rest is just proto-specific things you need like Geeps and switchers that aren't offered by ST or Kato.