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I have both and in the same paints. For apples to apples comparisons let’s take the UP units. I've had the RTR (UP) for a while and really like it. I just got the Kato (UP) a few weeks ago. It is one sweet loco - Kato paint for UP is always excellent (though I give Genesis a slight edge for UP paint, and the Athearn RTR UP paint is edged out by Kato UP paint). Once assembled the Kato AC is one fine looking loco. With the AC they have improved the handrails - they are not the stovepipe thickness of some of their other models, yet they are not so hair thin as to break easily. The trucks however were dumbed-down with this model - they have all details molded in, though that can be easily remedied with aftermarket details. The two large canted air tanks that straddle the fuel tank are also molded in. So the Athearns have better truck and air tank details. Having said that, though, once you get out past 18" from the model, the Kato trucks and tanks look fine (at least in the UP gray, the BNSF silver trucks require 24 - 30".) The Kato has very nice pilot and rear details, which the Athearns are missing, though the aftermarket details are easily applied to the Athearns. The grabs on the Kato are still a bit thick and several are molded in grey when they should be armor yellow, though a little Floquil can easily correct that. The Athearn grabs are more realistic because they're thinner (they're wire) and are painted appropriately for the locations they're applied too. You can also easily use aftermarket grabs for the Kato, if you want thinner, metal grabs. The Kato's do require quite a bit of work and time to assemble. I have assembled dozens of Branchline, Intermountain, Red Caboose etc kits, as well as many other Kato locos. Personally, however, I don't know if I have much more desire to continue doing such assembly (I'm getting older). The BNSF heritage II paint on these Kato AC's is gorgeous and IMHO a dramatic improvement compared to their BNSF H2 paint on their Mac’s. I don’t care for the Athearn RTR AC's BNSF H2 paint. On the Kato AC’s the BNSF H2 paint is almost as good as the Genesis SD70 BNSF H2 paint (which I consider to be one of the best). Personally, I didn't care for the Kato SD70MAC, yet their GE AC is one of my favorites! And I’m more of an EMD fan than a GE fan. Go figure. Be aware too, though, that some have reported problems with the pc boards inside the Kato AC’s frying on them. Many will tell you they’ve not experienced this problem (neither have I, …yet) which is good, but don’t presume it won’t or can’t happen. Don’t overly concern yourself with it, but also don’t be blind to the possibility either. Just be aware of it. There are precautions I take to make this a non-issue. After building the Kato AC and being thrilled & enamored with the end results, I thought I might not like the Athearn RTR as much as I had prior. However, after next comparing them side by side and running them together (along with a Kato UP SD90mac UP – another fine locomotive) I actually came to appreciate the Athearn RTR loco more than I had earlier. Running them together also surprised me in that the Athearn was found to be a better puller – being slightly faster, it would actually drag the Kato at times. Your mileage may vary – my layout has lots of grades. Further, I didn’t find my RTR unit to be a real current draw hog that others contend them to be. Besides, I MU 3-4 (sometimes 5) locos, and with many grades, so among my power supplies, I have one beefy one (home built) that can easily handle large MU’d consists when I desire to do so – thus I avoid having current draw even being an issue. Again, though, I don’t consider the RTR’s to be current hogs. One last difference is the cost. I buy only at discount, but even steeply discounted, the Katos cost me $30.00 more ($100 vs $70). No matter, when it’s all said and done, I would give the edge to the Kato units. Similarly, when running them together, I like the looks of the Kato on the point with the Athearn in the 2 spot (a close second LOL). For this model railroader, the edge is not that large. I really like both of these models, This is a great time to be in the hobby. Greg
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