I finally broke down and ordered a HO Kato SD40-2 in ATSF livery. Have heard many different things about this offering from Kato. What might I need to know about this unit to make sure that it runs as well as the other Kato and Atlas units I have? Thanks in advance.
The SD40-2's were prone to electrical pickup problems due to the contact design they used on those models. Those who have experienced problems have found that carefully hard-wiring the trucks to eliminate the faulty contacts solved the problem, but it is not an easy thing to do. Chris Toth
If this is one of the originals, it's a two handed pick-up. Both hands, each one wraped over the shell extended down to the truck when picking it up. Don't pick up by holding the shell only. Kato will never make a wiring misstate like this again(I hope) [ 15 May 2002, 09:37: Message edited by: locomotive2 ]
The version that I purchased appears to be the 3rd run of the line. It is cab # 5003 in b/y warbonnet colors. Is this one of the better versions or should I just send the thing back and get another SD70 genesis?
I have an SD40-2 and because of the potential problem. I handle it very carefully, avoiding as much as possible taking it off track. When I do, it's always the two handed method. On this model current goes from 1) track to wheel, 2) wheel to bearing, 3) bearing tab to copper strip,4) copper strip to vertical strip to circuit board, 5) circuit board to motor tabs. The copper strip is the weak link. It's almost impossible to hard wire to correct the contact problems because of insufficient room to run the necessary wires without interering with truck rotation. Kato has said that he above non-hardwired system will never be used again on any HO unit. Review your options, cost versus replacement, restocking fees, perhaps postage etc.
Hold up a minute folks....I think everybody is getting confused here! Kato produces both an SD40 and an SD40-2 which are different models of different prototype loco's . To the best of my knowledge only the SD40-2 has the pickup fault, the earlier designed SD40 runs fine. ATSF 5003 is listed on the Kato site as being part of their latest run of SD40's, not -2's. So you should be absolutely fine as far as running qualities go with that loco. Hope that clarified things a little.
I noticed that ATSF #5003 was of the SD40 group and not of the SD40-2 group. Does anyone know if they do suffer from the same problems or not. I am expecting it to arrive tomorrow and I want to handle it accordingly. I would not be too happy having the flawed pickup version. Any diffinitive answer would be most deeply appreciated.
I dont own either model, but i'm pretty sure its the SD40-2s that have that problem. The SD40s never did. benjamin
All the complaints I heard about were the SD40-2 and MR Aug 99 also mentioned"Potential circuit board problems" with this model only.
To echo what Martyn has said, the Kato SD40 runs just fine; I own several, and they came with hard-wired electrical connections, and are solid performers. The Kato SD40-2 (different locomotive altogether in both model and prototype) uses contact strips for its electrical pickup; this, combined with electrical connection flaws on the circuit board, have given some users reliabilty problems. In short - if it's an SD40, you're fine; if it's an SD40-2, you might have problems. You mentioned it is Santa Fe 5003. In that case, what you have is an SD40, since Santa Fe numbered their SD40's in the 5000-number series. HTH.
Martyn is correct with his response, 5003 is an SD40. I own a pair of each and I have not had any problems with the SD40-2's. I will be more cautious based on what locomotive2 explained, thanks. While all of them run well, Kato needs to work on their paint, the fonts used on the cab numbers is not heavy enough for Santa Fe.
I have purchated a HO Kato SD40-2 Snoot nose in BNSF livery lettereted 6340. During its race it has never introduced the pickup fault problems. Confronted with my European manifacturer's model it's great in it race!
