It was hard to find this one. But agree, I thought Atlas was a good runner until I got my hands on my first kato unit, they are the smoothest. The FVM ditch lights and headlight need work out of the box (yellow tint, light leak, weak) but not the kato..
I have to say Kato's are great But I have the new Atlas CSX dash 8-40CW in both YN2 and YN3 and I have to say they are much better then a Kato, aside from the gap between the tank and the frame, now some of you might not agree with me but most of the Atlas I own I never had to gage the wheels on them and most of the Kato's always derailed and after I gaged the wheels I have to say they run great. Kato seems to be a little spoiled cause it needs so much attention. But I would say Atlas and Kato are about the same caliber. Can't go wrong with either manufacturer.
Kato is the easy answer when saying which is the best, but I purchased a couple Fox Valley Locomotives and I have to say; right know they are the best in my fleet and I have Kato, Atlas, Atherns and some Bachmans
