Is it just me or do the Kato SD40-2's look funny? With intermountains release of the SD45-2, I realize just how much better it could look, because I think those look almost spot on, all things considered... Oh by the way, thanks atlas for producing DDG hoppers finally! My Saint Lucas Northern layout will be operational this afternoon, maybe I'll post some pic's if I get time! Ran a 20 car ethanol train last night, even though I used 23,500 tank cars... but what are you really gonna do? R.S.
It's possible you've noticed the ongoing evolution of quality in N scale. Ever greater fidelity to detail. Let's see those pictures! Boxcab E50
An unfortunate by-product of the ever increasing quality of N scale is that every time something new comes out, the older models don't look so good any more. Try to imagine what an N scaler from the seventies would think of a Kato SD40-2. Kato, in their defense, seem to go for overall quality whereas some others appear to gloss over defects and deficiencies with better detailed shells or more road names, and hope we don't notice. What I'm saying is looks aren't everything, how do the SD45-2's run, I've got a brass A/B ATSF set, but wouldn't mind an ATSF bicentennial if they see fit to do them.
I don't know, the remenants of my early 90s Kato GP50 that I sent to Hemi looked as good as most current models though perhaps without some of the superdetail parts.
Its just you. I just got one of the IM SD45-2, and compare to my Kato SD40-2 from all 4 production run or all standard cab Atlas SD and GP's I have, they are not quite there yet. Just look at Steves post above.
Kato make their stuff themselves and have been doing so since they first bought out the N scale 2-6-0 in 1965, so they've got the experience and they can keep a tight reign on quality control. IM get theirs made somewhere in China at a factory we know nothing about, for all we know between IM contracts they could be building tractors (an exaggeration but you know what I mean), I'm sure they do their best keeping an eye on production but there's sure to be problems when you're half the world and a totally different language and culture away.
