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I'm truly glad to be of some help. Funny thing is how Kato and Athearn are almost like Ford and Chevy trucks - some love one and love to hate the other and visa versa. Both brands have strongpoints and weakpoints and sometimes they're the same and sometimes quite different. I enjoy reading others opinions and they do help in my decision to buy or not, but I also want non-opinion based information (ie, facts) as well. This love / hate thing can leave opinions overwhelming or hiding the facts (good or bad), and does not provide an accurate picture. Lovefesting or bashing either Kato or Athearn (or whoever) can even be beyond opinion - bordering more on obsession and blindness LOL. The good news is that it appears the mfg'rs are indeed listening and acting to what the various people are posting on the boards. In the case of Kato and the AC's, they made two changes that I think may be direct responses / reactions to the public's requests. The changing of the truck side frames from seperately applied parts to molded on parts might be the first step towards less assembly being required. I hope I'm wrong in that regards though. While I'd like to not to have to do so much assembly with such small parts, I don't want them molded on either. Rather, I think we all still want the fine details, but more and more we don't want to have to be the ones to apply those fine details - rather we'd like them to come already fully or near fully assembled (like the newer Genesis, Atlas, P2k, IM, etc offerings.) The new AC's stanchions and handrails appear to be a very positive response by Kato to the recent discussions on the thicknesses of handrails. Many have complained that that Kato handrails have been too thick, while others have suggested that they would prefer the handrails to remain thick so as to maintain their ruggedness and be less prone to the breakage problem caused by thinner rails. I was torn on the issue because some of the Kato handrails were indeed noticeably thick and ugly (though different paint schemes appear to enhance or dimini***he perception/effect), but I also prefer the rails not become overly fragile, even if they look better. Kato answered my desire in this regard very satisfactorily. They did appear to make the rails thinner and better looking on the AC's yet they are still not so thin as to be too fragile. My hat's off to them for listening and responding!! I also think the overal details and molding on this model are more crisp than any other Kato thus far. Very impressive and very much in line with what the other mfg'rs are offering. Pardon my diatribe here. The best thing is to just enjoy the hobby! ...and Have a great weekend. Greg
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