I have never run an Atlas loco before, as far as Kato, I have only run a C57 steamer (runs AWESOME). I have a Kato SD90 MAC but am building my layout now, no running layout yet. My question is, how does an Atlas loco perform compared to a Kato of similar size? Thanks
there is a shop in Finksburg, MD called ModelTrainWorks that has a good supply of the sd40-2 Kato as well as other Kato models on sale for $59.
www.modeltrainworks.com
On a scale of 1 to 100, 100 being the Kato, the Atlas’s run about 95. I have about 40 of them and I just love’em. I think that their finish is better than Kato and have more detail.
I have 4 Kato and 8 Atlas Locos ( n-scale). I find the Kato’s run much better. Not that Atlas is bad, they seem to be getting better with each production run, but the Kato’s run smoother and much quieter
I have a pair of newer HO Atlas GP-38s that run excellent, no complaints. I keep them very clean as well as the track and have run one of them for about a year now with no problems. They both run smooth with good start up. For details, I prefer Atlas, although the Kato engines look very good. I want a Kato SD-40-2, maybe for Christmas, but I would get an Atlas SD-40-2 if they added one to their Master series.
The Kato SD40-2 are going fast and almost gone from all of the Online stores I have checked.
I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT N SCALE,BUT,IN HO,BOTH RUN
EQUALLY well.
I was in n scale back in the 80’s,I used atlas
at that time (RS-3)they ran great.
Which ever you decide you can’t go wrong.
I have Atlas and Kato N scale and both run very well. To me both Kato and Atlas are top of the line with Life Like now running close behind. If you’re into N scale, don’t overlook the recent offerings by Life Like,they are also very smooth running and good looking models.
I would try ebay if your looking for Kato, or Atlas for that matter. There are a ton of them and the prices can’t be beat. I have almost given up on mail order and websites. ebay should have what your looking for.
I started out in N scale with a Kato RSC-2 and it still runs better than either of the 2 Life-Like, or the Atlas GP38 I just purchased. I also just purchased another Kato RS-2 (I now have 4 Kato, 2 Life-Like and 1 Atlas), and, out of the box, the Kato run better, are quieter and the detail is every bit as good as the Atlas. I will add the the Atlas is a superb locomotive, but I am not happy with my Life-Like SD’s, as they tend to stub their toes on half my turnouts.
The Life Like SD7s were released about six or seven years ago. While they run ok, they don’t come close to what LL has out now starting with the SW9/12, FA1/FB1, and from what I hear, the C-Liners. I have eight of the SWs and two FA1/FB1 sets but no C-Liners. I don’t own any SD’s myself either but I bought two for my daughters and another for my nephew to run on my layout.