Does anyone have these locomotives? I thought for sure that the Ditch Light's were gonna pulse Left and Right but apparently that is NOT true? Guess you have to go up to the either more expensive ones, or the Sound versions which I am not going to do at this point. Although they do look like rally nice locomotives at a good price and I'll add the DCC decoders too. Just wanting some info about what others think, and it appears they are from a 2020 Fall release too which interest me being a New production with maybe some Tweaks, if that is indeed true? They look like they would be really nice looking in a consist, and even state on the kato site they will make a 9 3/4 curve supposedly? Kato N GE ES44DC CSX 'Boxcar' Logo CSX The ES Evolution Series of locomotives are built by GE Transportation Systems and designed to meet the U.S. EPA's Tier 2 locomotive emissions standards that took effect in 2005. These Evolution Series locomotives are equipped with AC traction motors and are powered by a newly designed GEVO-12 12 cylinder engine that produces the same power as the 16 cylinder AC4400CW, but with fewer emissions and greater fuel economy. It also carries a redesigned air-to-air dual-fan heat exchanger, which gives it its distinct oversized radiator; a common spotting feature for these new locomotives. Model Features: Multiple body styles to reflect different as delivered railroad specifications Updated paint schemes with additional warning labels and printing Powerful five-pole KATO motor with dual brass flywheels Directional Headlight and illuminated, preprinted numberboards Illuminated ditch lights * Kato magnetic knuckle coupler Drop in DCC compatible with the Train Control Systems K1D4 * Illuminated ditch lights, not pulsing ditch lights, wish they were pulsating A previous purchase will be Sold to make room, as I now know a certain long set that I have run for maybe an hour, if that, since my purchase a few month's back, doesn't really like a small 2' x 4' layout even with the second base attached Once again, thanks for everyone's help. I am also trying to find the Gunderson MAXI-IV Well Cars but no luck so far. I guess some of these items to have to be aware of a release date and either Pre-Order or jump on them immediately?
I don't have every diesel model that Kato makes but all the ones I have and know from other club members, don't have separate light pipes for ditch lights. As such, you can not have alternating ditch lights unless you do some surgery to them. Cut them in two or make two separate one AND fit them into the allowable space. Once you get that done you will have to program the decoder for the special lighting effects. You will probably also have to bring out wires from the decoder to separate LEDs. This means soldering to those tiny pads on the decoder.
1. The flashing ditch light is a feature that would need to be implemented by either a relay, or via a DCC board. In N scale, that means a DCC board. (Probably means DCC boards in lots of scales, really) 2. Regarding your question re: product availability, and when to move on it, the answer is yes, you have to strike while the iron is hot. The problem is magnified if you’re building a road that has a lesser following among model railroaders. Yes, there will always be something to be had for a big road like CSX, but individual things will go in and out of availabilty. Like right now, I want to flesh out some C&O motive power. It’s a vast desert right now. The C&O eventually became part of CSX, so I can envision having some CSX stuff on my pike, “someday,” but, when that day comes, it might be a desert for the CSX Stuff I would be looking for. Budget Priorities Availability Ahhh, the joys of balancing them.
I was wondering if the newer Kato's separated those out. I've done this surgery on over a dozen of their locos when I converted them to DCC but all of these were/are at least 10 years or older.
If I had to guess I would say probably not. In order to separate them out I think they would have to redesign the frame and/or shell to re-arrange the clearance. Kato hasn't redone their diesel frames in a while. That's why they still have their Kobo Shop to do sound installs as it's a manual process of cutting and grinding.
As mentioned, the ditch lights are illuminated by a single LED, so you cannot have flashining ditch lights wihtout major surgery (in fact, it's the same LED that illuminates the headlight, so all three front lights are either on or off). Even upgrading to the DCC equipped or even the DCC with sound version still will not get you flashing ditchlights. The Broadway Limited ES44 does have flashing ditch lights. Unfortunately it's only available with sound, but it's cheaper than a Kato with sound and in my opinion actually looks a lettle better. I've got a BLI AC6000CW and it's one of my favorite locomotives, worth every penny in my opinion.
I meant to mention that it actually wouldn't make since for the DC version to have flashing ditch lights because there would be no way to activate them. The real ones generally only flash at crossings and are on steady the rest of the time, so having them constantly flash would not be very prototypical. The BLI ditch lights are typically on constant, but flash when you blow the horn, continuing to flash for a few seconds afterward.
Yeah I have decided I am fine with constant on ditch lights. Anyone know if you can change the main headlight to something else, or the number boards. Actually new to all this stuff, so trying to learn. I think two thing’s happened. One I saw some videos of them having flashing ditch lights not knowing it was either sound with flashing or a custom job? Then to top it off when I looked at the decoder info seeing an option, I just thought it came that way. Just within the last year of all my off and on year’s in the hobby, have I really started to pay attention to some aspects of the hobby. Thus all the questions in the last 6 months. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm not sure what you mean by this, are you talking about changing the headlight or number board color? Again, they are all illuminated bythe same LED, so if you change it it will change all three. They are illuminated by seperate light pipes; however, so you might be able to paint the end of the light pipe to adjust the color.
A dcc only loco with flashing ditch lights is the Atlas master 8-40CW. Very nicely detailed with applied cut levers and grabs on the hood. http://spookshow.net/loco/atlasdash8c.html Although they are pretty much sold out you might be able to find a dcc version at some point. I know that on the one I have the ditch lights are on a separate board with each soldered via wires to the same type of decoder on your U25Bs. This means that unless you have and are willing to use micro soldering skills it's best to get the one with DCC and or sound in it.
Well pretty much pulled the trigger on everything. One company is just looking for the second CSX Well Car set? Hope they work on my Radius like it stated? Next week will hopefully be exciting? Thanks a ton for everyone's help answering my questions about the ditch light's and so forth. I'll post in How Did You Go Broke this Month ( N Scale ) category when I get everything Thanks again! I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions about all the merchandise when I receive it all?
