I was just reading my December Model Railroader and noticed that Kato had designed a new mechanism for its N scale F40PH. It brought up some questions I hope somebody has the answers to. I’ve noticed on some of my newer Atlas N scale locomotives some difference in drive sounds. My fairly new B30-7s and U25s have a growl to them. I really like that. Some of my older (1990s vintage) Atlas locos with the same design, except for pre-low speed motors, are so quiet that they seem almost like ghosts. The new GP38s lack the growl of the B30-7s and U25Bs. All run superbly. I know that the older Atlas engines were made in Japan. The current models, as is almost everything else, are made in China. Is the growl in the U25s and B30-7s intentional? It sure is cool. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
I dont know the answer but I know what you mean… I brought a couple of Atlas dash8-40bw’s recently, and they seem to have a nice purr to them as they wind up…
I was impressed…
It would be interesting to take a poll and see how many people prefer their locos as quiet as possible and how many like that growl or purr.