Micro-Trains/Atlas Update - 1/20/26

[tehachapifan]

and they made a nice SW1500 that people complained about being 6 inches too wide...

ask women if they complain about six inches

Speaking of 6 inches....

Fun fact, the Kato N SC-44 charger is about 6" longer and 6" wider than the Bachmann version. Which one is (more?) accurate? Who knows!

[johnb]

I think there are some rerailers available. 

in code 80 or 55?

[peteski]

in code 80 or 55?

Well, only in code 70, so I guess we're out of luck here.

[track1]

Speaking of 6 inches....

Fun fact, the Kato N SC-44 charger is about 6" longer and 6" wider than the Bachmann version. Which one is (more?) accurate? Who knows!

The Bachmann Charger was designed directly from Siemens-provided documentation and reviewed by Siemens employees for approval before tooling.

I don't know what process Kato went through for designing theirs.

Tyler
Bachmann R&D

[peteski]

Speaking of 6 inches....

Fun fact, the Kato N SC-44 charger is about 6" longer and 6" wider than the Bachmann version. Which one is (more?) accurate? Who knows!

Wow!  N scale 6" is 0.0375" in real world dimensions.    I would not have noticed that. 
Where did this info come from and what were the reference dimensions?

[Point353]

Wow!  N scale 6" is 0.0375" in real world dimensions.    I would not have noticed that. 

Do you notice the difference in height between code 80 and code 55 rails?

[basementcalling]

The Bachmann Charger was designed directly from Siemens-provided documentation and reviewed by Siemens employees for approval before tooling.

I don't know what process Kato went through for designing theirs.

Tyler
Bachmann R&D

Given their history, that still doesn't guarantee Bachmann got the dimensions right on the production run.

[learmoia]

I don't know what process Kato went through for designing theirs.

Tyler
Bachmann R&D

A process where there final product cost $166 less..
($376 less if I want one without DCC/Sound)..

[peteski]

Do you notice the difference in height between code 80 and code 55 rails?

Yes, especially side by side.  But I doubt that looking at a scale 70+ foot locomotive I could tell.  Apples to oranges. Not really good comparison.

[learmoia]

Oddly enough, Google lists that Charger variants also differ by 6"

Key Dimensions: Siemens Charger (SC-44 / ALC-42)
Length: 71.5 ft (21.79 m)
Width: 10 ft (3.048 m) to 10 ft 6 in
Height: 14.4 ft (4.39 m) to 14.7 ft (4.48 m)
Weight: ~280,000 lbs (127,006 kg)
Distance between truck centers: ~40.8 ft (12.44 m)
Wheel Diameter: 44 inches (new)

Key Dimensions: Amtrak ALC-42 Variant
Length: 71.5 ft
Width: 10 ft (including handrails)
Height: 14.7 ft

Key Dimensions: Siemens SCV-42 (Canadian Variant)
Length: 71 ft 6 in (21.79 m)
Width: 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Height: 14 ft (4.27 m)

[tehachapifan]

Wow!  N scale 6" is 0.0375" in real world dimensions.    I would not have noticed that. 
Where did this info come from and what were the reference dimensions?

I have both versions and I could tell there was a subtle difference in size. Measuring with an N scale ruler confirmed that is close to 6" difference in length and width. The rear fairings are different in size and shape as well. This is an observation rather than a complaint as both are exquisite models.

The Bachmann Charger was designed directly from Siemens-provided documentation and reviewed by Siemens employees for approval before tooling.

I don't know what process Kato went through for designing theirs.

Tyler
Bachmann R&D

Thanks for the info, Tyler! It is indeed an amazing model in terms of looks, sound and running quality!

Oddly enough, Google lists that Charger variants also differ by 6"

Key Dimensions: Siemens Charger (SC-44 / ALC-42)
Length: 71.5 ft (21.79 m)
Width: 10 ft (3.048 m) to 10 ft 6 in
Height: 14.4 ft (4.39 m) to 14.7 ft (4.48 m)
Weight: ~280,000 lbs (127,006 kg)
Distance between truck centers: ~40.8 ft (12.44 m)
Wheel Diameter: 44 inches (new)

Key Dimensions: Amtrak ALC-42 Variant
Length: 71.5 ft
Width: 10 ft (including handrails)
Height: 14.7 ft

Key Dimensions: Siemens SCV-42 (Canadian Variant)
Length: 71 ft 6 in (21.79 m)
Width: 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Height: 14 ft (4.27 m)

Interesting!

[peteski]

Forget Atlas and MTL!
Russ,  I seem to recall that Kato and Bachmann Chargers have slightly different appearance . Things like roof detail.  Are they models of slightly different prototypes?

[tehachapifan]

Forget Atlas and MTL!
Russ,  I seem to recall that Kato and Bachmann Chargers have slightly different appearance . Things like roof detail.  Are they models of slightly different prototypes?

The treatment of the fan detail on the roof is a bit different between the two, but it appears they were probably modeled after the same thing. Aside from that and the difference in fairings, all the other roof details appear virtually identical (the fairing appears more correct to my eye on the Kato version). Besides overall length and width, I don't really see much difference anywhere else on these models, aside from some slight paint color differences.

[bbunge]

But that's not the way it works at big events. If someone shows up with something that doesn't work, nobody's taking a break from setup to help that person redo their track. It's just simply not possible.

I guess my point is that those situations always have the potential to occur and Freemo, being less forgiving, makes them more challenging than something with larger tolerances.

Ed apparently hasn't been around during a Bantrak FreemoN set up.      I usually get asked to set up a repair work station where I make minor repairs, relay track where needed and wire harness changes as needed.   I helped a newbie relay most of the track on his module once.  While it isn't the best way, UV activated CA glue is a godsend when making these quick fixes.    There is a well known FreemoN guy who I've seen help fix up new modules at Altoona. 

Bob

[robertjohndavis]

It’s not lost on me that many comments early in this thread were adamant this acquisition wouldn’t become BLMA v2.0 and here we are months later and the thread is hopping with the lastest news… about comparing Kato & Bachmann locomotives.