A Locomotive Comparison

[Anonymous]

I feel that many on this forum have two of the latest releases in HO scale locomotives, The Kato AC-4400CTE, and the latest from Atlas, the Dash 8-40-C. On a scale of 1 to 10, How would you rate the two of them? For paint and lettering, I would give the edge to Kato, prototype fidelity I would say the two are dead even, for lighting, because of the working ditch lights, The edge goes to Kato, detailing, again a dead heat, Kato has a cab interior, which is nice, Atlas has a painted crew instead of the interior detail, personally, I prefer the crewmen in the Atlas model, Mechanically, Atlas has the edge, it is quieter, and starts moving with less current than the Kato, so in my personal evaluation, I rate both models a 9 on the scale, again a dead heat, How do you Guys rate them?


Mac

[Anonymous]

well i have 3 of the Kato AC4400CW's and 2 Atlas 8-40C's

the Kato gets a perfect 10 in my book its excellent, the trucks dont bug me hardly at all

the Atlas a 9 runs great, but the U.P. yellow is a smugde off nothing bad though

[Junctionfan]

I have seen the CEFX AC4400CW and must say that they look real good. I can hardly wait for them to do CSX. Atlas 8-40C is great to. I find them perfect for heavy haul switching with a low radius curve. The CSX and NS engines are painted well; I don't know what the others look like though.

[Don Gibson]

ANY comparison is purely subjective without some criteria:

Paint job
Operating radius
Pulling ability
Smooth starts & stops
Current consumption
Noise
Length of trouble free service
Speed
Personal predjudices.

I've listed 3 of mine. What's your's?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies Guys, and seems like we all like both models somewhat equally. We didn"t get into the facts, and figures, just personal observations and preferences, I will leave the more technical comparisons up to the model railroad magazine Authors, and reviewers, I imagine Model Railroader will have a review of the Atlas Dash 8-40-C locomotive shortly, They gave the Kato model a very favorable review, and I expect they will also give the Atlas model a similar favorable review, and personally, I will be extremely happy if all my future locomotive purchases are as good as these two models, They are both excellent IMHO.


Mac

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

ANY comparison is purely subjective without some criteria:

Paint job
Operating radius
Pulling ability
Smooth starts & stops
Current consumption
Noise
Length of trouble free service
Speed
Personal predjudices.

I've listed 3 of mine. What's your's?

Well put. Both of these locomotives are good quality products. This is similar to the Toyota vs. Honda which is better debate.

[Anonymous]

Don, you seem to take the fun out of some of these posts/topics. As the orignal poster stated, "We didn"t get into the facts, and figures, just personal observations and preferences, I will leave the more technical comparisons up to the model railroad magazine Authors, and reviewers"

Every reply to a topic doesn't have to involve a technical evaluation. I to would prefer more personal experience and preferences at times when some asks "what do you think about....."

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dgoodlander

Don, you seem to take the fun out of some of these posts/topics.

IT'S FREE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE!

[cwclark]

[#wstupid] i just love it when those two FLAME each other......

[AntonioFP45]

CWClark,

Let's encourage them to "keep cooooooool!"

Peace![swg][tup]

[Anonymous]

HA!

this is quite the topic.

QUOTE:
[#wstupid] i just love it when those two FLAME each other......

It appears rather commical

LOL

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dgoodlander

Don, you seem to take the fun out of some of these posts/topics. As the orignal poster stated, "We didn"t get into the facts, and figures, just personal observations and preferences, I will leave the more technical comparisons up to the model railroad magazine Authors, and reviewers"

Every reply to a topic doesn't have to involve a technical evaluation. I to would prefer more personal experience and preferences at times when some asks "what do you think about....."

Do-Good- lander:

Everyone is better at 'Something' - same for products. Apparently you value "opinions" (Everyone has one) more than I.

Why should MY opinion's be of value to you?, or vice versa? Sorry, that I have little interest in "What is best" type questions. Seemingly, pulling trains is generally last on the list of qualifications.

[easyaces]

Looks as though this has turned into a little slamfest. There are a lot of little flaws that might show up in any brand of loco by all the makers. Most are so minute that only the real nit-pickers notice. Best thing to remember is that if you are satisfied with what works and looks good for you, stick with it, and ignore the junk. Have fun with the hobby!

[Anonymous]

Don has insulted me and my name, I have no response. It was not my intent to start a slamfest

Sorry Don, you are far superior than I. I will stay away from you and your responses in the future.

[Anonymous]

Maybe that wasn't quite the right way to say it, dgoodlander.............

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

Maybe that wasn't quite the right way to say it, dgoodlander.............

No, I think he said it just fine...Mr. Gibson's comment was out of line.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

ANY comparison is purely subjective without some criteria:

Paint job
Operating radius
Pulling ability
Smooth starts & stops
Current consumption
Noise
Length of trouble free service
Speed
Personal predjudices.

I've listed 3 of mine. What's your's?

Didn"t I say we weren"t getting into facts and figures, just personal preferences and observations, Why the negativeism???

Mac

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

ANY comparison is purely subjective without some criteria:

Paint job
Operating radius
Pulling ability
Smooth starts & stops
Current consumption
Noise
Length of trouble free service
Speed
Personal predjudices.

I've listed 3 of mine. What's your's?

Yes subjective, That is the way it was intended. Did I not say we weren"t getting into facts and figures? just personal observations and preferences, Why then the negativism?

Mac

[bogp40]

And what would we all do if we were rolling boilers and machining the drives and details.

[BRAKIE]

Well,There are several locomotives on the market I would hate to judge.I had a whale of a time trying to choose betwixt the Athearn SD50 and the P2K SD50.
I decided to go with the Athearn SD50.Now IF I had to choose betwixt the Kato
SD70MAC or the Athearn SD70MAC I would go with the Athearn more then likely BUT it would be a hard choice to make..[:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Robert Knapp

And what would we all do if we were rolling boilers and machining the drives and details.

I don"t know, why don"t you tell us.

Mac

[jspinner]

Kato gets a 10 and Atlas gets a 9 . They are both great locomotives.[:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]


John

[Anonymous]

I am a big fan of the AC4400 locomotives. Norfolk Southern is common in northern Indiana and I am looking for NS locomotives. Who makes the NS AC4400 Dash 9 locomotives?

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jspinner


Kato gets a 10 and Atlas gets a 9 . They are both great locomotives.[:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]
John

Jspinner,

Good ratings. As you indicate they're both excellent locomotives, but what is it about the Kato that, in your observation, edges it out slightly over the Atlas?

Thanks!