I got my Kato SD70Ms tonight. One word - sweet. Here are some side by side photos for comparison, and some comments. The Kato model has much better paint - much smoother, and the color looks closer (the Athearn looks a bit green next to the Kato, and the Athearn paint is definitely lumpier and thicker) The Kato as a whole just looks 'crisper' - sharper edges, better fan and grill detail. The Kato has roof details where the Athearn doesn't, but the Athearn does have molded on sunscreens (which look a bit thick) The Athearn has a cab nose window, whereas the Kato is just molded on and not painted (advantage Athearn here), but the side windows and windshields are MUCH better on the Kato (typical Kato) vs the "Coke Bottle" on the Athearn. While the Kato handrails are not painted, I think they look better as they are smoother in appearance. The Kato model has 5 steps, where the Athearn has the prototypically correct 4 The Kato headlight assemblies are not painted, and the Athearns are, but Athearn did a sloppy job - I will do a better job when I paint the Kato ones on my units than Athearn did at the factory The Kato road numbers look to be correct size, the Athearns look too small. Keep in mind I removed the nose mounted handrails from the Kato (as they are the incorrect style. But the Athearn was also incorrect - I modified the ones you see in the picture (and will do the same to the Kato's, as well as paint the nose window black) I will also have to paint the handrail ends white, as the Kato's are all gray - no big deal in my opinion. Anyway, overall I give the Kato a HUGE thumbs up vs. the Athearn. And did I mention the working (bright) ditchlights and bright headlight on the Kato (and lighted number boards, sweet!), vs. no ditchlights and dismally faint headlight on the Athearn? Here are the pics:
Thanks for the shots Dave. I have changed my thoughts about the Kato. It doesnt look bad at all. And as you say, changing things to make it right isnt a big deal. I do like my Athearn, and I will probably like the Kato just as much. Thom
Dave, Thanks for the comparisons, and I agree with all of your points. I went back and compared mine, albeit mine was an Athearn SF SD75. My question is, what are the spotting diffs between the two? I only noticed one raised panel just behind the engineers side cab on the SD75 that was different than the SD70M. Frankly, for the increased quality of the Kato overall, I would even be willing to overlook that if they did a SF 75 version of the paint on the same shell. I would also accept some kind of glued on raised panel if that was the only difference! And, if Kato sales of said SD75 and SD70M were good after the Athearn release of same loco, I would petition Atlas to do the C40-8, even if BMann had done it, since I know they would do it better and I would buy lots!
CN 5688 was my lead unit on a grain train and I opened the doors to see what caused the 'raised' section. The only thing different between the SD70 and SD75 was the addition of an air duct between the engine compartment and the air intake compartment. You can see the opening of the air intake at the engine compartment side in this photo.
This is looking at the air duct going between the two sections, and you can see the inside of the raised area behind the air duct. Why they made the raised portion so large for such a small duct is anyones guess.
And this is the conductors side air duct coming through. My only guess is these ducts pull warm air from the engine compartment which mixes with the outside air drawn in.
I was just looking at your picture above and noticed what I think would be the "bag type" air filters at the top part of the picture. Could it be that the SD75 has more of these than the SD70? Maybe they need more air flow for more HP? (I know nothing about these, only a guess.) Mark
Perhaps the Kato painted shell is closer to SP dark lark gray than the Athern, but why is the engine two tones of gray? The handrails, fuel tank, and trucks are assuredly a different gray than the superstructure. Maybe that is because Kato didn't bother to paint them at all? That would be in keeping with their long standing standard practices. And how could anyone miss that the Kato not only has the wrong radiator fans, but failed to paint them black as per the prototype. There's a lot less to "fix" on the Athearns.
The bag type filters are for the Turbo intake. This set-up is standard on EMD units. The extra duct lines are not. I am sure it has something to do with air flow, just can't figure out the why.
Soupac - You are right, the trucks, fuel tank and handrails are not painted on the Kato, same as their other releases. The fans are definitely different on the 2 models -- which is correct? (I can't tell) the Kato's stand up taller, and are gray. Here's a pic I found - maybe Jerry can tell us which one is correct. As far as the black color on the Athearn, it may have been correct when the units were brand new, but almost all the pictures that I've seen they look more gray, either from soot or fading? Plus, the Athearn black is too glossy for my liking....
It looks like the Athearn fans are closer to the correct style. The black was probably more obvious when new, but over time, the weathering from the sun, exhaust, etc., would blend it all together. I think both models have good detailing overall, and just like in the real world, the same is always different.
The Kato loco accept a drop in decoder while the Athearn is a pain in the ... to convert . Also on the Athearn only half of the rear handrails are painted white , I know it is more than the none at all Kato ...
