I had a Kato -9 that developed such a sound. I determined that it had to do with a not very well balanced/centered flywheel. A new motor got rid of the noise.
You know, I just checked under the fuel tank of the first loco I ever bought, an Atlas DRG&W SD7, got it in the late 90's maybe...and this is the first time I ever noticed the Kato stamp on it! Funny, I thought hadn't bought any Kato locos until a few weeks ago, turns out I've had one for the past 12 or 15 years, heh. Back on topic though, have all the InterMountain SD40T-2s had Atlas-like motors in them, or has that only been for the later production runs. Are they the scale slow speed variety? Anyone know what year IM started producing the T-2s?
Kato SD40's First, let me go on record as stating I have over 200 Kato diesels dating back to the old PA's and E8A's by ConCor, all the way up to today's issues. I think the only loco I don't have is the AC4400 and I am on the prowl for one at the next swap meet. These span over 20something years, and I have not had one problem with any Kato, Atlas, or LifeLike split metal frame diesels. I have had some problems with the original LifeLike plastic frame diesels from 1988 because the gook in the worm boxes hardened and froze up the mechanisms, but any model I purchased after 1996 has been virtually perfect. I have 2 Kato SD40 PRR diesels I purchased from Long's Drug Store via mail order in 1990, which ran perfect out of the box, and still run perfect today. You can't go wrong with Atlas, Atlas/Kato, or Kato diesels. I also want to echo the guy who stated the Kato/Atlas 630 as one of the quietest and smoothest ever. I bought one back when they first came out, and recently bought a used one from an estate virtually unused, and they run perfectly, and match speed for doubling up. I am primarily a steam guy, but I recognize there is nothing smoother on any layotu than an Atlas or Kato or new version Lifelike diesel running on my tracks. Good luck in your selection. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
I just purchased two new Kato SD40 engines. Installed Digitrax decoders in both. With DC or DCC. These are as nice and smooth running as the Atlas engines I have.
I used to have two IM SD40T-2's, they looked great, but they didn't run very smooth and made noise like a coffeegrinder. I sold them, and I'll stick to Kato and Atlas.
The all have Atlas motors in them. Pretty sure they are all scale speed. I understand that 'slow speed' and 'scale speed' are not the same motor.
I have Kato SD40/45's (same frame), and Kato SD40-2s and all are smooth runners. I have had to clean up some of the older frames because of junk and a whinning sound but all run great after a simple wash and lube. Kevin
Never had a 8 wheel Atlas diesel go bad but can’t say the same thing about their 12 wheel models. Had 4 Atlas 12 wheel diesels go bad on me. They seem to go bad sitting in their box. Only had trouble with one Kato – the GG1. Sent it back and recently bought another one and it’s my favorite model. Think Kato makes products of better value and resale value.
I have a half dozen Kato SD40-2s and I absolutely LOVE them!!! They are smooth runners, very quiet, and are very easy to put decoders in. Here is a video of my layout with three of them pulling a coal train: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERx8l8D52Zg They are easily my favorite engines and I have very few that aren't Kato. The only non-Kato locos I have are either Atlas, Athearn, or Fox Valley Models and they are extremely rare in my fleet.
Kato gets the vote Kato is always a better value than an Intermountain loco. I have an Kato SD40-2 and it runs great and looks fantastic. I also have a Overland SD40-2 that runs quite well also. Kato always gets my vote in N scale you can't find a better pulling loco:thumbs_up:
Well I'm looking into trying out IM's SD40T-2s and was just curious what people that had 'em thought of them, how the "early" production runs differed from the later ones, etc. Figured I'd just post it in this thread rather than starting a whole new one. I don't expect them to run as well as my Kato SD40-2, but as long as they ran as well as my Atlas SD50s I'll be fine.
I have 4 Kato SD40-2's in CP and 5 IM SD40T-2's in SP. All are Digitrax DCC. I don't mix the brands. The IM's needed a little fiddling, but run quite well. I am quite happy with them but don't need more than 5. The Kato's run like a Kato. No fiddling required. With all the IM F units I have, I end up with many more IM units than Kato.
