I guess I just got lucky over the weekend. The last two times I called my local train store they were out of the new sd-70s in a matter of days. I decided to swing by there over the weekend to see whatelse they had that I might substitute. I was in a buying mood. Not only did they have one sd-70 left, but it was the road name Iwas looking for also. The first thing I did was paint the handrails to look prototypical, and then take some pics. Thought I would share them with you. Some light weathering will be done in the near future also. [ 18. June 2003, 07:24: Message edited by: thomas ]
Great pictures I received my Sd70Mac today which i purchased from ebay last week. It's the same BNSF loco as yours i'll post some pictures on the weekend.
Nice looking locomotive. Good thing I have back-dated, and now only need smaller locomotives Although looking at the pictures, I feel it is about time Kato started adding some of the more obvious details to their models, particularly sunshades. They should also follow Atlas's lead and paint the step handrails. Detail and finish wise, they are falling behind.
Thomas, Nice pictures! What paint did you use for the handrails? A few people have suggested painting in the cab door window with either a black paintpen or regular paint to add a little more 'prototypical detail' to the locomotive. It seems strange that my Bachmann 9-44CW's have a plastic window in the door, but the Katos don't.
I have to agree with Alan about Kato catching up with Atlas on their details. It would be nice if the handrails were already painted. The paint I used was Poly Scale "Reefer White" and "signal Yellow". After painting those handrails my nerves are usually shot. My hand isn't as steady as it used to be. Thomas
The trouble with having to paint the handrails is that it makes already overscale handrails even more so
I totally agree with you on that Alan. Too bad it has to be that way for now. Maybe some day that will be a thing of the past and we can count it among the many other advancements that we have today. Thomas
You know guys getting old can have one advantage (and only one) you forget things. I forgot that I had ordered two of he SD-70MACs with nose headlights and ordered a second time. Now I have for of them, plus the two with cab headlights. They run great and pull. As for catching up with Atlas, it is in the eye of the beholder. To me Atlas needs to catch up with the mechanism. Katos are quiet, I have 19 Atlases and not a quiet one in the lot. Eye candy is nice, but will they pull? Jerry
Jerry, I agree on the running qualities, but does it need to be an "either/or" situation? Kato's running qualities with Atlas's level of detailing and finish would be superb. Surely it is not too much to ask to get painted handrails, and correct color walkways? Kato locos are extremely good, but could be even better if they paid a bit more attention to detail.
Alan, First, I am not a rivet counter, so how well the locomotive runs/performs is of first importance to me. I can paint the handrail, and many of us are not aware of the proper color for the walkway, they could be purple with green dots for all we know. We never see the walkway unless we view it from a viaduct or overpass. Some of the eye-candy is prone to break-off with handling. You can have your Atlas, I will choose Kato and add the details I want if I want. Jerry [ 20. June 2003, 02:32: Message edited by: jgeisert ]
Here are a few pics of my 2 SD70 MACS, I installed 1015 couplers which required a little bit of filing but it wasnt too difficult. [ 22. June 2003, 03:57: Message edited by: Colonel ]
As you can see by the pics i have finished installing the couplers. They ate not the easiest to install as the 1015's are a little thick for the housing. I had to file them down and also file the body otherwise the retaining clips wont clip into the body properly. I have also found the shell not the easiest to assmeble and the back of the shell tended to sit up slightly, eventually I was able to clip it all back to shape. I have to say though they are beautiful runners and the ditch lights are excellent.
Nice photos and rail painting, I received my first Kato today a SD70Mac, road #8802 dealer said it was the second run,It ran great right out of the box and I coupled a few micro trains cars to it and had no problems with uncoupling that I read about on another forum, however I did not expect an envelope with parts in to be assembled, I am almost 70 yrs. and things don't work as well as they used to, before I break something how are the number boards installed? press in glue in and what are the other parts for? I have not opened the envelope I might loose something will wait till tomorrow. Love those ditch lights. Thanks in advance for any help. Beeline
Beeline, Those number boards are pressed in, no glue needed. The other parts are the handrails which I'm not sure why Kato makes the customer apply them, and the other items are extended couplers in case you need them. I can't work with these small parts unless it's done under a magnifying set up that I made up. Thomas
Thomas Thanks for the information, helps a lot. I also work with a couple of mounted magnifier glasses, and I still manage to break something. You would think for the money they would finish the assembly, glad I did not have to finish all my Atlas and LL engines. Beeline
I do find it strange that Kato leave some bits for the purchaser to add. (Usually the fiddly bits), and other bits to paint yourself
Actually alan what you say is correct lol I wouldn't mind adding pieces if they came with proper installation instructions but they never do. I still need to install the handrails on my 2 Sd70 Macs hmmm i'll have to get around to doing it soon lol
I use MT 2004 draft gearbox to hold a MT 1015. This does not require fileing the draft gear or the locomotive, and you can mount they with the Kato coupler clip or retainer. I do not object to having to install the numbers myself. It gets rather easy after you do the first one or two Jerry
