KATO 176-6039 P42 AMTRAK OPERATION LIFE SAVER #203

in2tech Nov 23, 2022

  1. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Screenshot 2022-11-23 113615.png

    It's a Pre-Order but looks cool. Anyone ever had one of these from Kato? Are they heavy, do they run well?
     
  2. ns737

    ns737 TrainBoard Supporter

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    it has the same kato drive as all there p42's. and my 4 run great. one can pull my 13 car train
     
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  3. SecretWeapon

    SecretWeapon Passed away January 23, 2024 In Memoriam

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    i've got about 17. all run great except the kobo NEW HAVEN. it derails a lot. changed the ft. trucks etc. all my 50th's are great.
     
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  4. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Are they fairly heavy like my ES44DC's? My heavier locomotives appear to run much better on my Atlas track. Why I sold my switcher. And also still working on my Atlas track to be honest :) I think I will Pre-order one of these just cause I like the way it looks :) I have no theme, just buy what I think looks good.
     
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  5. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Sexy! :cool:

    Yes, the Kato P42s are heavy and runs really really well. I might even take a guess that it's heavier than the ES44DC.
     
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  6. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    So what kind of rolling stock is run on the real ones? Cause I doubt I have what they use in real life. Not that it matters to me really! As long as it runs well like my ES44DC's or my Kato E5 for my Zephyr ran. Like I said I have no theme and don't worry about real life, just run what I like. And I like the LOOK of this locomotive and also have rally good luck, so far, with Kato locomotives. So far! This one is different and I like that about it. What I like the most is the livery ( that's what we call them in flight simulation ), or scheme, it's cool looking!

    We will see!
     
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  7. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    I have every one of these locomotives that Kato ever produced. They are by far, my favorite locomotive. I am still waiting on the last 2 to be released and then I think I am done. The new ALC-42 locomotives look a little ugly to me. Perhaps that may change if I ever see one in real life. I have seen and rode the trains pulled by the P42 before. I would also like to see how the actually pull versus the the P42 on a layout or at a train show.
     
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  8. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Is this suppose to be out this November, 2022? I thought it was? I have also seen December! I can wait! Hope I can get one?
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2022
  9. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    My very first Preorder ever, me thinks of anything! From the fruit Etailer :) It looks really cool, hope they are as good as everyone says? Of course I will be pulling none Amtrak rolling stock :) My layout, my rules :) I think it is time to sell all 3 of my Atlas U25B's in a set here, or try too! Got to pay for new toys!
     
  10. NorsemanJack

    NorsemanJack TrainBoard Member

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    What on earth would you need to pull with a passenger engine that one of these couldn't easily handle?
     
  11. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    That was quick, Preordered yesterday guess they already had them or got them today as it is in stock. Never bought one of these are looked at Amtrak in N Scale, is $89.99 sound right DCC Ready then I have to order the decoder from them. I'll look around as I have a few days to decide!

    I'm excited haven't purchased a locomotive in some time, since my Kato ES44DC's!

    This is the correct decoder right?

    Digitrax N DN163K0A DCC Mobile Decoder fits Kato P42 Genesis, PA1 and E8
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2022
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  12. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    So I am still not sure about getting the Amtrak P42 Operation Lifesaver mainly since seeing the decoder installation. I don't solder, and one video they did not and another they swear by it. Why I like my Kato ES44DC's, no need for it. I'm just waffling on it as it looks cool, but I would basically be using it as kind of a switcher, which I know I can do anything I want, but... I mainly want it, cause it looks cool, and others have said they are heavy and sturdy and good running locomotives. I just can't pull the trigger for some reason, yet!

    But the livery, scheme, shell, is amazing, to me at least? Would it have good resell value IF I decided I did not want it in the future? Are they as limited run?

    Oh and what is the reason for the Kapton tape? And could I use Kapton tape to HOLD the contacts down? Just a small piece on each springy contact to hold them down?

    Did not solder!



    They did solder!



    This stuff is keeping me from wanting it!
     
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  13. jwaldo

    jwaldo TrainBoard Member

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    I just installed a decoder into one of these this weekend, and IMO it's not as harrowing as it sounds. All the complication is because the locomotive uses an older semi-DCC-ready configuration where the power pickups, motor contacts, and light board contacts are all sandwiched together under that little plastic clip instead of having separated track->PCB and PCB->motor connections like a newer loco. But adding a wrap of Kapton tape around the pickup strips so they don't touch the motor strips adds enough insulation to the sandwich so that power flows where it should for DCC. Some people solder the motor tabs to the contacts on the board, but in my experience the clip works just fine unless the clip and/or the bracket it clips onto are really badly mangled to the point they don't actually clip together anymore (e.g. a locomotive that's been dropped, like mine.) And in that case a new bracket and clip are ~$5USD from Kato's parts department, which was the route I opted for over soldering.

    And honestly, even if the clip won't stay on you could probably tape it down with a piece of tape running across the top of it, and that would be enough.
     
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  14. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    These are one of the easiest locomotives to install a decoder in. It is the same as the F units and E Units. If you can do one you can do all.

    I would advise soldering the motor leads to the decoder instead of relying on the plastic clip.

    Can take a lot of frustration away if the motor lead does not have really good contact.
     
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  15. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    @jwaldo @DCESharkman I sort of figured there would be people in both camps, one without solder (which I don't own as of now) and one without. IF I get it, I think I will start out with the Non Solder route and if need be, buy one in the future. Of course I prefer not to solder if I can keep from it.

    But the Kapton tape is required on those two springy things correct? Which is no problem, as I do have Kapton tape now :)

    Another question and I have watched video of the Real P42 Operation Lifesaver and can't for the life of me see a Reverse light, but it appears the TCS & Digitrax decoders do have two bulbs, front and rear? And lastly the Digitrax is $30.99 and the TCS is $46.99 but I like the TCS more as my Kato ES44DC's have them and my Kato E5 Zepyphr set ( now sold ) had Digitrax and I didn't really like it as far as programing it. Their manual's confuse me more then the TCS ones, although they all confuse me a bit. Is it worth $16.00 for piece of mind?

    Do some prefer Digitrax over TCS, and others, and vice versus? Or it's depends on your system, say Digitrax over NCE?

    Alright I have decided to go with the TCS Decoder even if it is more money. I always have to ask for help even with the TCS, but IF all my NEW locomotives have a similar system, when I can, it will be easier for me, I think?

    I have the K1D4 in my ES44DC's and this is the KOD8-A for the P42.

    https://559cd743-2e7b-4281-8927-b4a...d/559cd7_f5ab762483fe44f0aa28f74bf7dd39aa.pdf

    And this one also for it:

    https://559cd743-2e7b-4281-8927-b4a...d/559cd7_d3fbf8b528984a7a8c59874c9dcdd508.pdf
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2022
  16. Sepp K

    Sepp K TrainBoard Member

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    +1 for the TCS in the P42 if you're not going for sound.
     
  17. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Yeah I agree, no sound for me :) Thanks! But I still have to apply the Kapton tape to the long copper looking contacts, correct? I will watch the videos closely again before attempting installation of the P42 decoder!
     
  18. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    TCS is a good decoder and soon ESU will have a decoder as well. It depends on what you want for extended features.

    TCS supports RailCom and ESU supports RailCom and RailCom Plus

    The key is to make sure you have the same decoder in all the locomotives you want to lash up together in a multi-unit consist.
     
  19. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    What is RaiCom? And had no idea about them needing to be the same when I make a consist? Is that what you mean?
     
  20. Sepp K

    Sepp K TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, you still have to insulate the part of the long copper strips where the motor contacts cross over.
     
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