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Kato introduces HO EMD SD80MAC and SD9043MAC diesel locomotives
Very nice locmotive! Very very smooth handleing!
Just bought two for $60 a piece! What a deal!. Run like champions!
only wish kato will rerun this engine with upgrades for sound an chassis modifcation for speakers
I bought mine At a flea market brand new never ran in the plastic wrapper! how ever when i got it home i opened the box
and shed locomotive tears of JOY! the Holy Grail of ho locomotives it is!.norfolk southern 7213 it ran so smoothly so quietly so darn good!the detail parts were a bit tricky to apply is my only negative input. it looked so good with my genesis sd 70’s in my intermodal unit train.the girl is a beast! she is now my first love! shhhhhhh dont tell my wife! heheheh!
i would love to have another!or two!Kato really did the model railroading peeps well with this model!
spoke to kato u.s.a. they are only in discusing stages to bring back ho sd80/90 diesels …told them they should be good sellers esp.if they upgrade the chassie fuel tank to except speaker for sound …said thanks for the info.
Just received the second run of SD90/43 MAC in UP colors, Jim’s review is still dead on except that the instructions for assembly is only one page, but if you have KATO products prior to this model it is very easy. Be careful those parts are small and slippery. Only modification required was to pain the steps safety white. The locomotive runs smooth and is larger than my SD70M, M2s and ACES. The attention to detail by KATO is outstanding, paint outstanding. All you need are Kdee couplers and a unit coal train to haul. Of note SD90/43’s especially from UPs original 309 purchased are starting to show up in leased service with the distinctive red stripe through UP. Starting to see them in New Orleans working the Huey P Long bridge. Price has increased to approximtaely $200. Great product and does it pull!
I Just bought the Re-Release of the Conrail SD80MAC 4100. I used to be a die hard athearn fan with old blue box SD40-2’s, Ready to roll SD50’s, and Now a pair of Genesis SD60I’s which I am a Conrail Fan with family who worked for Conrail. I currently work for Norfolk Southern at the Juniata Locomotive Shop which we still service the SD80’s there on a regular basis, and I must say that the models are perfect minus the plow isnt correct. Kato has done a fantastic job and with the mac as my first Kato Locomotive, Athearn sales may be dropping slightly from myself. Excellent Job Kato, however Norfolk Southern employs myself and pays my bills but they dont influence my hobby hahaha. I’ll stick to the better looking Big Blue, and share my pride with both. If anyone is questioning purchasing a kato locomotive, I will just say that they will not be disappointed.
I just received my SD80 MAC in NS colors, outstanding model, just be prepared this requires a goodly portion of assembly and the majority of small parts. Steps are not painted in yellow warning, easy to do with a tooth pick and some yellow insignia eneamel. I have finally repaired all of the damage to my train barn from Hurricane Issac and getting to break this engine in, if you own the UP version or are a NS fan, this is worth a look. It is a very heavy and large big diesel and folks notice it just as the walk in. KATO is on par with Athearn Genisus. Have not seen any crossing Lake Ponchatrain because I believe this is basically in coal service on NS.
I just received my SD80 MAC in NS colors, outstanding model, just be prepared this requires a goodly portion of assembly and the majority of small parts. Steps are not painted in yellow warning, easy to do with a tooth pick and some yellow insignia eneamel. I have finally repaired all of the damage to my train barn from Hurricane Issac and getting to break this engine in, if you own the UP version or are a NS fan, this is worth a look. It is a very heavy and large big diesel and folks notice it just as the walk in. KATO is on par with Athearn Genisus. Have not seen any crossing Lake Ponchatrain because I believe this is basically in coal service on NS.