I feel that many on this forum have two of the latest releases in HO scale locomotives, The Kato AC-4400CTE, and the latest from Atlas, the Dash 8-40-C. On a scale of 1 to 10, How would you rate the two of them? For paint and lettering, I would give the edge to Kato, prototype fidelity I would say the two are dead even, for lighting, because of the working ditch lights, The edge goes to Kato, detailing, again a dead heat, Kato has a cab interior, which is nice, Atlas has a painted crew instead of the interior detail, personally, I prefer the crewmen in the Atlas model, Mechanically, Atlas has the edge, it is quieter, and starts moving with less current than the Kato, so in my personal evaluation, I rate both models a 9 on the scale, again a dead heat, How do you Guys rate them?
I have seen the CEFX AC4400CW and must say that they look real good. I can hardly wait for them to do CSX. Atlas 8-40C is great to. I find them perfect for heavy haul switching with a low radius curve. The CSX and NS engines are painted well; I don’t know what the others look like though.
Thanks for the replies Guys, and seems like we all like both models somewhat equally. We didn"t get into the facts, and figures, just personal observations and preferences, I will leave the more technical comparisons up to the model railroad magazine Authors, and reviewers, I imagine Model Railroader will have a review of the Atlas Dash 8-40-C locomotive shortly, They gave the Kato model a very favorable review, and I expect they will also give the Atlas model a similar favorable review, and personally, I will be extremely happy if all my future locomotive purchases are as good as these two models, They are both excellent IMHO.
Don, you seem to take the fun out of some of these posts/topics. As the orignal poster stated, “We didn"t get into the facts, and figures, just personal observations and preferences, I will leave the more technical comparisons up to the model railroad magazine Authors, and reviewers”
Every reply to a topic doesn’t have to involve a technical evaluation. I to would prefer more personal experience and preferences at times when some asks “what do you think about…”
Everyone is better at ‘Something’ - same for products. Apparently you value “opinions” (Everyone has one) more than I.
Why should MY opinion’s be of value to you?, or vice versa? Sorry, that I have little interest in “What is best” type questions. Seemingly, pulling trains is generally last on the list of qualifications.
Looks as though this has turned into a little slamfest. There are a lot of little flaws that might show up in any brand of loco by all the makers. Most are so minute that only the real nit-pickers notice. Best thing to remember is that if you are satisfied with what works and looks good for you, stick with it, and ignore the junk. Have fun with the hobby!
Yes subjective, That is the way it was intended. Did I not say we weren"t getting into facts and figures? just personal observations and preferences, Why then the negativism?
Well,There are several locomotives on the market I would hate to judge.I had a whale of a time trying to choose betwixt the Athearn SD50 and the P2K SD50.
I decided to go with the Athearn SD50.Now IF I had to choose betwixt the Kato
SD70MAC or the Athearn SD70MAC I would go with the Athearn more then likely BUT it would be a hard choice to make…[:D]