My “glowing” P2K is a UP E6A. (The non-powered B unit that came with it had a broken coupler in the box, and derails frequently).
For guys who like to replace headlights, that works fine. I don’t happen to find it fun.
Atlas is better value, in my opinion. Before Atlas started this stupid deal of adding sound to the decoder-equipped locomotives, you could not beat the value of an Atlas Master Series locomotive. Great detailing installed from the factory, a smooth, quiet motor, directional lighting, and to top it off: A 4-function decoder. Most of my Atlas locomotives run better than my Katos.
[2c]
Kato hands down. Then Atlas. If Atlas would put there shells on Kato’s drives again, I would be very happy. As for Athearn and Proto, they have finally just recently moved above the “junk-out-of-the-box” status. Athearn’s RTR series are getting better but need more work and Proto’s GP38-2 is a fair product.
Kato by a mile. I own 3 AC4400CW’s in CP colours made by Kato and they are simply the best locomotives I own. If you are useing DCC the decoders are plug and play, just like the Proto’s. No need to change lights or add resistors. Kato also has them set up for sound if you choose to add it later. I’ve got 2 Atlas GP40’s and they are great and I own a ton of Proto loco’s and I can honestly say the Kato’s are the best of the best.
I’ve got an Athearn BB AC4400 and it’s my best running diesel. I’ve tweaked it a LOT, but it’s still all stock parts. Runs very smooth and quiet.
I’ve got a C44-9W that’s not as quiet. Same basic locomotive, same mechanism. Same tweaks. Some are just quieter than others.
Mark in Utah
P.S. Looking at buying a Kato some time.
BOTH ATLAS AND KATO LOCOMOTIVES ROCK[8D]
Those are both excelent brands.
I would definently go for the KATO AC4400. I have one, and like it so much I may buy a second. WELL WORTH THE MONEY!
My humble opinoin[:I]
All three!!!
When I look to buy a new diesel, I look at the models available not who they are made by. i.e. If you want a GP30 you have two choices the Bachmann or the LifeLike Proto 2000. There isn’t one engine model that every manufacture makes, so if you say “I’m only going to buy from XYZ and no body else”, then your limiting yourself as to the models that you will have on your model railroad.
Just my 2 cents.
Dan
I have one Kato and one Atlas. Both are great engines. P2K are also good.
Personally, I prefer Athearn.
True, Kato & Atlas are nice & quiet, but for me, I model Canadian Pacific.
The lettering “CP RAIL” on the side of Kato’s SD40-2 or even the AC4400’s is not quite correct. The lettering is not quite bold enough compared to the prototype or even Athearn’s. When I say bold, the lettering on the Kato’s are skinny, real skinny.
Somehow they didn’t get the font right which is one reason I do not plan on buying one.
Gordon
My first choice will be a Kato, although slightly more expensive, it is well made. Good details and a good motor with pulling power. Atlas will be my second choice, it has good detailing but the motor is a light weight, just no power - struggles up gradients.
I just bought my first Athearn a SD70M, I am surprised at the good details but they got to do something about the noise the motor makes. Athearn will be my third choice.
(I model in N scale)
Cliff
If Atlas offers the item I want they will get my money, after that P2K, Kato and bringing up the rear will be Athearn. Atlas generally has the best combination of features for the price.
Bob DeWoody
Dollar for dollar, Atlas then Kato. Atlas’s factory installed dual mode decoders are an exceptional value (Master Series). I am patiently waiting Atlas to make a GP-40-2…
Personally, I have an Athearn RTR Geep, an Atlas Trainman Geep, and an Atlas Silver line Geep. Both the atlas have superb running qualities, and the Athearn is…just crap. While the detail is exceptable, just go with Atlas, Kato, or P2K.
I own Kato, Atlas and Athearn, and like most (but not all) people I would have to give the nod, ever so slightly, to Kato for smooth, quiet running. The Atlas’ I own come very, very close though.
Athearn… well, I’ve not owned any of the Genesis line, only the rtr versions. Wanna buy’em? Cheap! Seriously, anytime I hear someone say that they’ve had to tweak an engine, right out of the box, to get it to run right, I get nervous. To be fair, I’ve seen guys with the rtr, or lower priced Athearns, get good results from them. I’ve seen more that had problems, or as one guy in our modular club says, issues with them.
Since Atlas doesn’t make the model you want, go for the Kato. I can almost bet you’ll be pleased. If Atlas made the model I think I’d suggest it for the money.
Jarrell
Anyone else notice that this post is over 4 years old?
In my opinion, Atlas and Athearn beat Kato for detail, and Atlas is equal to Kato for smooth running. If Atlas made an AC4400, it would be the one to get.
Yes, I noticed how old the thread is. One guy was hoping Atlas would make a GP40-2 and woo hoo, they are out!
I would just add, it depends on what loco you want to have. Sometimes the type determines the brand. For example, if you want a tunnel motor (SD40T-2 or SD45T-2), the only choice is Athearn among the plastic HO diesels. Sorry, KATO, Atlas or P2k doesn’t make them. If you want a good GP40-2, Atlas is the best choice but limited quantities were made and most are sold out, but they are much better than takinga chance with the QAQC of the hit or miss coffee grinders.
I have Athearn RTR, Proto 1000 and 2000’s, Blue Line and 1 Stewart Hobbies. Now the Stewart may very well have a Kato drive in it and I only have around 20 hours on it. I have been very happy with it so far. I did a test review of the Stewart F 9 against Proto 1000 F 3. It was close, but the Stewart won by just a little. I like the heaver wire and pulled just a little better because it weighs 2 OZ more. What would deuterium which I would buy would be road name and cost, it was that close!
On Protos as a whole, no glowing shells here. Plus I have yet to have one I bought new break down! Coming from me, that says a lot! only problems I have had with Protos where 20 plus year old BL 2’s, cracked gears.
My Proto 1000’s F-3’s have 200 hours plus, and I just finally lubed for the first time a few weeks ago. My PK 2 E-6’s that I got a few years before I got the PK 1’s have never been serviced.
Athearn RTR’s, I have 5, only one is runnable at this point.
Cuda Ken
I have quite a few Athearns, but I have to admit they are all from the late eighties and early ninties when they retailed for 33.00 bucks and could be had for $25, so it was worth upgrading them with hard wiring, Mashima motors & NS wheels, these are still some of my smoothest runners.
I find it interesting that people find differences in running qualities between the Katos and Atlas-China locos, as the Atlas- China locos’ drives are exact clones of the Katos and I’ve found them to run the same, both excellent.Even the newer P2Ks (I think from the SD9 onward), are neer Kato clones. As the sayings go “You only immitate the best” and “Immitation is the best form of flatery”.
Jim,The real question is:did anybody notice he asked about a AC4400? Only Athearn and Kato makes a AC4400.Atlas,Walthers doesn’t.
The only true RTR AC4400 is the Athearn.You need to add the grabs and handrails to the Katos.
Modeling the Santa Fe in 1989-1990 period, (HO) the SD40-2 is a big part of my roster, and most of those are Kato. I recently purchased some of the new Athearn RTR SD40-2’s and they aren’t bad, and they fill a niche that Kato doesn’t, but overall, I will favor Kato everytime.
I do remember the first Kato that had terrible pickup problems with that Rube Goldberg system they used, but I still have three of those SD40-2’s in service rewired, but my heart belongs to the new runs of Kato SD40-2’s. I do have a lot of Atlas GP units and like them vry much.
Unfortunately it looks like Kato is going N gauge exclusively, so the Kato HO will die away.
Bob