Will this work with out a lot of modification?
Why would you want to? - the Kato mechanism is superior to Athearn’s
Your question provoked my curiosity so I tried that arrangement quickly while I was
sitting here. Short answer is no-the Athearn frame will not accommodate the Kato
body mounts without milling recesses in it. Also, the Athearn frame’s coupler pads
will interfere with the Kato end sills. I would suggest using a Rail Power Products
shell instead-or stick with all-Kato–he’s right, Kato’s drive is far superior.
GN-Rick