Just an intersting "observation" that I've made on Atlas/Kato's. "Pop the top" off a 10 year old Kato, and then do the same on a couple year old, or newer Atlas. What I've seen is that the Atlas contact parts usually have "fingerprints" and are tarnished. Katos are not. So there's a difference in material, and or assembly if the material is the same. IMO Kato is "king" for smooth running, quiet drives. Atlas holds the title for paint/graphics. IM, well I've sold all of mine, and I won't own a six axle Atlas or IM again. Those SD trucks are just junk to me. If Kato made a Tunnel Motor with Atlas quality paint/graphics, I would be taking out a second mortgage! But, I do love the four axle Atlas units. I've purchased a lot of GP's/Dash8's/B23's and I really do love them. They are generally very good running, reasonably quiet, and the paint is the best. However, I have had a couple of noisey ones that I had to play with to successfully "tame" the noise. Atlas, IMO, is close, but not as good as Kato in the drive quality area. The big question to me is the future of Kato, and what direction they are going. I'm not pleased with the "issues" of the latest releases of the SD40-2's. I'm done......................bed time now:lightbulb:
...hmmmm, then it's maybe time to give them some lubrication ! some oil on the bearings will solve the noise ! Kato's C44-9W/AC4400CW/SD70MAC/SD70M drive is the most silent drive I know...
If you make it, they will come. Corrolary: If you don't make it, they won't. This is Kato: they don't make it. The last Kato I have is SD45s and SD40s and U30Cs. Bob in IDaho
I would have to agree Kato have the superior product when it comes to smoothness and running. I usually find it's the Atlas models that tend to pick up dirt and need cleaning much before the Kato models I have, I think I read somewhere that its the difference metals in the wheels. All in all though I am happy with Kato, Atlas and the new life like models.
I agree that Kato is a step above Atlas, but they are tied with two other manufacturers; MicroAce and Tomix. My list would be-- (1) Kato, MicroAce, Tomix (4) Atlas (5)InterMountain and Life Like And the rest of the field....
Ahhh.... if only Kato had listened to the masses and continued to produce new N. American locomotives and not limit their production. Would there be an IMRC? Would MDC & Model Power have gotten into the steamer business? Would Atlas even be where they are today? Questions to ponder and wonder about... As it stand today... I agree that Kato makes a superior mechanically sound model. Unfortunately... we have to accept the reality that most other manufacturers products are 'slightly' inferior mechanically, but, they met our demands for models we wanted. Overall, we have gained due to Kato's neglect of the N American market. There are more manufacturers producing a wide array of models and as a result there is competition and a CHOICE we can make. Hopefully the competiton will not KILL OFF any of these manufacturers and the products will get better.
Someday I'll own a Kato, but it might open up a can of worms for me. I fear I'll like it so much that I'll start to look down on my Atlas and LL units. They currently run fine and I'm quite satisfied with them. I'd hate to undo that...
I think Delamaize nails it here. Katos are heavier, which means they sit firmer on the rails, no doubt improving conductivity. Their mechanisms are much smoother, which likley limits binding of gears. I have a new SD40-2 release and have had no problems, unlike several who have posted discouraging expriences with these locos. A quality loco in my opinion. Agreed, Kato needs to make more entries in U.S. prototypes. I guess Atlas will fill that order until Kato takes a step forward. Many of you have stuck to the topic of this thread and not wandered. I appreciate your participation and response. Thanks, Tim
Here's my list. MicroAce Atlas Kato,Tomix ConCor IM LL You know what? All the list above and those to come are correct. I know we all create these lists off or experiences with the engines we own. The majority of my N scale collection are the newer Atlas locos. I've bought them all on a certain website at some very compelling prices, yes I've included cost in my evaluation. “But you have MicroAce at the top of your list” yes I do. The MicroAce (steamers) are the only locos that I have where every last one of them, whether new or old, will run my entire track regardless of the speed. Even the lighter 0-6-6-0 locos no problem. I got them all at bargain prices too. The Kato diesels are great but not enough to top the Atlas and MicroAce locos in my collection. Oh, they have one plus that I pray Atlas would introduce and that is the ditch lights. verse
Tim, Yes they are heavier (aren't we all?) but that makes me wonder (and sorry for topic drift) is there room to weight the Atlas engines to gain similar running characteristics? I have never even checked, but I remember adding weight to HO locomotives back in the old days......
Types of motors From tiime to time on the forum I see such expressions as "tunnel motors", "can motors", and maybe other ".... motors". WIll somebody please direct me to a place where I can read about the different types of motors in use in N scale models - and their pros and cons. I'm confused and in the dark when motor discussions arise. Thanks
Sorry, sometimes it is easier to talk in code and forget some folks have not been tuned in long enough to pick up the jargon used. In this case a Tunnel Motor is a term used in the prototype 1:1 world for a type of locomotive that was designed to run in tunnels. They were built by EMD as SD40-T and SD45-T for Southern Pacific and Rio Grande. A can motor is a model motor enclosed in a metal "Can" as opposed to an open frame motor. A can motor is usually more modern and a superior motor.
Just read the entire thread. Excellent! I think it's due time to add a number of them to my roster. verse
Motors: Defined First a message to Tony. Hello, Tony and all tuned in, Good to see you over here on Trainboard. Now back to Chartsmalm's question. By now I am sure you have the answer to your question. Here goes anyway. Let's see if Iam right. "Motors", can be used in reference to full scale diesels much like the railfanfoniese Ie., "Covered Wagons" for F types of units or "Stoves" as used by the rails (employees of the railroad) for steam engines. "Motor", may be used to describe the electric motors in both the full scale and model and diesels. Various kinds of electric motors may find descriptions Ie., Three pole, five pole, canned motor and/ or dink of a motor and etc. "Tunnel Motor", may be used to describe a motor in a tunnel that opens a door for venting of the tunnel shaft. Or, a full scale diesel and model of a "Motor" designed to run through tunnels Ie., SP, SD40T-2 and the SD45T-2 that operated over Donner Pass, through the snow sheds and tunnels. D&RGW had some SD40T-2 "Tunnel Motors" ... also. If I missed anything it's your turn. Grin!
Doesn't it have certain restrictions on the type of power pack that may be used? The Nn3 engines all use can type, and they suggest straight DC with no funky wave forms...
That would be for a special kind of can motor called a coreless motor. They are quite small but very sensitive to voltage spikes. Sagami motors are usually can motors and will hold up to anything any open frame motor will. I guess most manufacturers, like Kato, still use open frame motors that are built to more modern specs so it is hard to make generalized claims. The old Atlas Rivarossi motor could be considered a can motor and it was a dog.
Ohhh... those lovable... adorable... Tunnel Motors. You just gotta' love'em. Some were quite 'snooty' though. Other not quite so 'snooty' and there were those that weren't 'snooty' at all. You could usually tell by checking out their front 'porch'. Unfortunately... they were not made by Kato... they were made by IMRC... who unfortunately has tried very hard to satisfy the whims of us 'perfectionist' RTR modelers. At least IMRC did something that Kato probably wouldn't ever do. More than likely they'd give us 'one-size-fits-all' versions.
All the "BS" I put up with on my former IM tunnels:thumbs_down: I would gladly take a "ones size fits all" tunnel motor from Kato. At least the bodies would "sit" correctly on the frames, and they would run like gems............................consistantlymg: Shoot, I would even put up with the trucks coming out during shipment!
