I’m looking to purchase the EMD F40PH Metra engine to go with the Metra Commuter Rail cab/coach cars that I’ve just bought from Kato. However I notice that Walthers Trainline makes this engine and so does Kato. I’ve seen the Walther’s engine for almost half of what the Kato engines are and was wondering why? They both are DC only (Kato makes the DCC unit for double) so Im trying to see which one I should get. Both look the same but is one better than the other, reliable, has better features???
Kato is a better running unit, more reliable, but at double the price I would buy two Walthers units and if the truth be told, they will serve you just as well.
LION runs all LifeLike-Walthers Proto 1000 subway cars. They are just fine, and easy to work on. Even if Kato made subway cars (they probably do make Japanese ones) LION could not justify the price, even for their higher quality, which, since him has not bought a Kato engine in more than 10 years the LION cannot attest to anyway.
BTW: Trainline was Walthers less expensive line of equipment, they bought out Life Like to get their Proto 2000 line which is much better.
ROAR
The Trainline engine runs quite well. The Kato unit is excellent. Here is some things to consider:
- DCC - Does the current Trainline model have a DCC socket? I have an older one and it does not. The Kato engine is DCC Ready,and has a cutout in the fuel tank for speaker installation.
- Details - The Walthers model has cast-on handrails, and very little detail. The current Kato unit has lots of good crisp detail and things like working ditch lights
Also, when I looked at the Walthers web site, they list the Metra version as ‘Discontinued’ or ‘Sold Out’.
Jim
The Train Line model looks like a warmed over Life Like. If so, Walthers did some improvements on the shell after they bought Life Like.
If I spent the money on the Kato cars, I would buy the Kato. Atlas and Kato are top of the line in running characteristics.
I am a Kato fan boy.
Another thing to consider is resale. You will get a better $ for used Kato stuff than anything else. IN N scale I only buy Kato unless they do not make something I really want.
In HO I have bought Walther Trainline, Atlas, Proto 2000, Bachman and Athearn and I am sure a few others.
The worst have been Bachman and Athearn.
I just installed a TCS decoder in a Trainline GP9 that I had to solder in myself.
The engineering of the Kato products is really remarkable.
I would stick with Kato and have a few less issues.
Just my 2 cents. [2c]
Yes it is discontinued but there are a couple of websites that have it brand new for about $60-$70 and I’ve seen it in the local hobby shop. The Kato engine is about $130-$240 (DCC). I probably will wind up with the Kato engine as it does have the working ditch lights which I do like just didn’t know if there was a big difference. I do like the Kato engines too. I have a Walthers Amtrak 40-8b engine that has been cool for the most part but the Athearn passenger cars that I have are starting to give me problems. Thinking about putting them on Ebay no Want the Superliner II cars by Kato or Walthers but don’t know if they could navigate the 18’’ or 22’''curves?
I will throw my vote to Kato also. I started buying their mid production SD40-2 units a few years ago and now have as many as Santa Fe had. renumbering is big in my basement. I have had excellent operation with the Kato units and would endorse them highly except for one thing. Their customer support in the US is about as poor as any I have ever seen. But if you can do your repairs and maintenance, then you don’t have to deal with the Kato structure.
Bob
The Trainline’s aren’t Life-Like, Walthers had those before they bought Life-Like. Many of them are older manufacturers that they picked up along the way, liek the FA’s I have, are originally the Train-Miniture shells, with an upgraded drive. Details are lacking, everything is molded on, but they are excellent runners, definitely better than the LL and Bachmann train set level products.
In fact, when I first saw the FAs on eBay, I didn;t jump, until I discovered I had the issue of MR when they reviewed them. The little box where they list minum speed, current draw, and so forth - listed the minum speed under filtered DC at 1/2 scale MPH! So I bought them. With a BEMF DCC decoder, they run even slower - unbelievable for a loco I paid $19.95 for. A few detail parts like grabs and it will look as good as anything.
–Randy
Thanks Randy,
I see ppl have them listed on ebay for about $60.00 bucks so do you think I should get them or just buckle down and get Kato’s for $149.00??? I’m so indecisive right now and çan’t make a decision for the life of me. I know Walthers Amtrak that I have is pretty fast and probably the fastest of all my engines from all different manufactures.
Model Train Stuff (MB Klein) has Kato Metra for $119.
Just saying [:O]