Whew, Tom. I don’t know anything about Stewart drives, but my understanding of a drive is that it is the mechanical system, short of electrics, that moves an object. So, power generator, transmission, and any final drive components (pillow blocks and differentials) are included.
Kato’s are better than Stewarts, but IMHO Athearns are not. The Genesis drive comes close. In order of best (again, MHO): Kato, Atlas Master, Stewart, Genesis, P2K, Athearn RTR.
Not really (when compaired to other brands). Just over the years the Kato drive has proven superior to any other.
Kato’s have a proven track record (pun intended) !!!
It’s the “winner” for long life at the Chicago MSI, for example.
Of course, they run them almost every day, all day !!!
Well, the others are cheaper …
All of it.
One assumes the same drive as their others, but with Bowser instead of Steve Stewart in charge, who knows ???
If I’m not mistaken the early Stewart Fs had Kato mechanisms in them. I remember numerous references back in the 80s to Stewart-Kato. Am I loosing it, or are those real memories?
Thanks for the comments, fellas. George Bailey (if that’s your REAL name [:D]), if the info on the Stewart web site doesn’t designate or specify what kind of drive is in a loco, is it pretty much a sure thing that it’s probably a Stewart? So then, can you just switch out a Stewart drive for a Kato? Or, is there more to it than that?
That is right - once there were Kato-Stewarts (and Kato-Atlas, for that matter I think).
I don’t know when Steve started “rolling his own”, but he had sure learned what worked (as did Atlas). All my locos are “pure” Stewart and Atlas (and Kato, of course). All fine drives !!!
Tom -
The Stewart’s have one of the best drives on the market - I suggest you just keep the one that comes with the model !!!
(Again assuming that Bowser doesn’t change things. When Steve owned the company, if any drive had a problem (rare!) you sent it in and it was promply either fixed or replaced. Hope Bowser keeps up the Stewart tradition !!!
George Bailey
(Yes, that IS my real name, and Yes, it IS a wonderful life - usually !!!)
If I had the money, I’d own as many Katos as possible. I’ve never had any problems with any of those I do have-but I baby the hell out of them too which helps a lot.
I’m glad it was a help for you, too. Jack, I notice you live in southern CO. Ever taken the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR? How far are you from Chama, NM?
STEWART originally had KATO drives in their engine’s, then copied it adding a Bueler motor, and last I heard were having Dong Jin (of Korea brass fame) build them. in any case they are superb. Their current ‘Baldwin’ switcher’s may illustrate my point.
Meanwhile KATO has improved their product’s. Their latest run SD-45 outrun’s their previous releases, and finally got rid of their Atlas styled 14V. lightbulb for a headlamp.
GEORGE: I respect any thought’s and opinion’s, but as a long time myself user of KATO, (ATLAS)KATO, (STEWART)KATO, and STEWART(pre Bowser), I’m a fan. I just don’t see see STEWART as #2.
I think KATO is just now catching up to STEWART’s 4 year old FT’s, of which I have 12. These are sweet runner’s, dummies can be powered, they use only 0.22 amps ea., and they have illuminated LED classification lamp’s.
ATHEARN GENESIS is trying to compete (some do, some don’t), but with motor problem’s they’ve suceeded only in the ‘paint job’ department. Stay tuned.
Tom,
I haven’t taken that train ride yet… but definitely on my “to-do soon” list. It gets rave reviews from all I’ve talked to around here who have ridden it. I live in the SE part of the state, the Cumbres and Toltec is in SW Colo., on the other side of the mountains from here.
Nope you are not mistaken. Kato became popular after producing the drive for the Atlas RS3 in 1984. Soon after Stewart used the same drive for their Fs, and Kato began producing their own locos.
As far as I can tell the only thing about current Stewart drives that is different is the motor. It now has a Bulher. I believe the reason that Stewart’s have fallen from favor is that they have not kept up in the detail department. a Stewart shell doesn’t have the looks of the Proto 2000, or Genesis.
Thanks for the link. I already stumbled across that page. Actually, that page is what brought about the initial question on the Kato and Stewart drives.
I just ordered a Stewart Baldwin VO-660 switcher and Digitrax DN143IP decoder (installed) from Empire Northern Models. Even including S&H, it comes to less than $100. I’m not sure when I’ll exactly receive the VO-660 but I’ll be sure to report back and let you know how I like it.
If the V)-660 is made anythign like my DRS4-4-1000… as in, built for Stewrat by Ajin in Korea (same ones who do Overland brass), and has a Caon motor in it - there is absolutely NOTHIGN that runs better than this, not even a Kato. ANd a whole 0.12 amps on my meter, too.