I would have to say there is something wrong with you DCC system, or your measuring SMPH wrong. Common sense should tell you Atlas isn't going to manufacture a loco, even a switcher that only runs 20 SMPH.
+1 on that Golden State consist with E units... BUT... not using the incorrect smooth side cars Kato has been re-issuing.
David is probably right on this one. I know that the quality of the motors in some of our model trains vary considerably between runs and even within the same run. It is simply QC control ... even the Kato motors are inconsistent within the same run. I have examples of F3's which don't run anywhere near each others top speeds... from the same run. I've had some poor running Atlas diesels... one even had a broken ceramic magnet and I had to return it to Atlas.
Just read in one of the train mags that Norfolk Southern just bought some of the ex-ATSF SD75M's. Assuming that NS doesn't modify them, maybe that will prompt Kato to move forward now that there is an additional scheme/market for the tooling.
Of course you will find a defective motor once in a while, but not several unless you are one very unlucky person and received every defective locos in a complete run. I also know all about inconsistences in motors, But IMO you stand a much better chance in the locos running closer together if you purchase from the same run. But this is again only plain common sense. I have Atlas locos, lots of them that were purchased at the same time that will run within a couple smph of each other, an I just lucky? I even have 1st run Atlas GP35s that I have replaced the motors with scale speed ones and they run very close to brand new Atlas GP35. Close enough that I don't even have to speed match them. When I purchased my first three Atlas locos with a Scale Speed motor, I couldn't believe how they ran, they have made me one happy n-scaler. My old crappy locos, (36 have been upgraded with the Atlas Scale Speed Motor), now IMO they all run great. Right now I could care less about loco manufacture making upgrades, I'm happy with how my locos run, couldn't imagine them running much better. I would just like to see a few new models that everyone could use! If Kato uses the same old motor and it's a model I want, it will most likely get a upgrade, IMO.
There is nothing wrong with my DCC system, as I said, it ran only 20 SMPH on DC. I have had the same issues with Kato fast motors too. It isn't just with scale speed motors. Perhaps we have different qualitative sample sets. And I am not saying Atlas deliberately designed an SD60 to run at 20 SMPH. It was a crappy motor. I have had other that couldn't make it to 40 SMPH with a full DC throttle setting, both Atlas and Kato. And yes I do know how to measure scale speed accurately to several decimal places with my system. It has been tested and confirmed by several folks. The point has always been that some motors may not scale up if needed, and faster Kato units can always be scaled down to match anyone else using DCC, and it is as simple as adding a resistor to the lightboard on a DC locomotive. I have any locomotive from any manufacturer able to run with any other I want to. Kato runs with Atlas, IM or Fox Valley or any combination. The motor type is insignificant. It just boils down to whether its top speed can make it to the desired top speed. So it is always easier to slow down the locomotive than it is to speed it up. If the locomotive on DC can not make it to 50 SMPH, there is nothing that can be done to make it reach the desired scale speed of 50 SMPH. It doesn't matter whose locomotive it is. It doesn't matter what motor it is either. In this case both Non-Scale Speed motors and Scale Speed motors are equally bad. Since I am 100% DCC, it is easy to get every Kato or older Atlas locomotive with a non scale speed motor to run at the scale speed of 50 SMPH or whatever speed I desire it to be.
Doesnt matter how fast or slow the motor goes or how much torque it has. The fast motors slip the wheels just as easy as the slow ones do. I just want frames that come with a warning that says "This product contains lead, which is known to the State of California to cause....."
I had an Atlas SD35 that ran very slow, and I thought it was just a "slow motor" until I compared it with a second Atlas SD35, which was much faster. I also noticed that during my test runs, the slow loco's motor was running pretty hot. After a total disassembly, I found that one of the driveshaft bearings on one of the worms was deformed, looking like it had hit with a punch, right on the edge of the hole. After a bit of reaming with an Xacto #11 blade and rat tail jeweler' file, the "slow" loco now runs faster than the second SD35 used for a comparison. So your slow loco may not be slow due to a bad motor. Just to be sure, check all parts of the drive for excessive friction. Bill in FtL
It was the motor. I took it apart and cleaned and lubed etc. Then I sent it off to Victor M and he verified that it was indeed the motor and was kind enough to send it back working much better. This is not so much about the behaviour of this one example, but that overall it is better to have excess speed to lose than not have enough to run with the rest of the livery.
Hey... Remember this thread?...Kato 'wish list'?...wth? Start your own thread on slowspeed/highspeed motors and merits of such... Geez...it's really becoming difficult to follow a thread any more. Bruce
I'd like to see Kato do the E7, the E6 would be cool, too, but I'd prefer the E7 Next, Kato is welcomed to try their hand at the F45, I had an Athearn, didn't really like it. An accurate Empire Builder or North Coast Limited is a no brainer. Lastly, since they have done the GS4 and FEF, how about the CB&Q O5 4-8-4?, there are static locos that can be measured, and we all know how much Kato likes the CB&Q.
I think I like the idea of Kato going after the SD75's and the variants for my more modern stuff. But since I am multi-era, I would also go for darn near any non-UP passenger named train set. I only say non-UP to give other roads a chance. I would like to also see any of the 4 axle units aside from F units. GP's would be nice. And maybe some smaller SD's. In general I would really like to see Kato improve the details on any and all models.
I could definitely go for a trio of SP AC4400CWs. Would also pony up for SP 6000A, B, C in Golden State as well.
I wish for Factory DCC 2-8-0, USRA 4-6-2, and a rerun of Mikados. I've got a perfect spot for a Santa Fe Northern too!
I posted this on another thread, but I would like to see a Rock Island passenger train, and a COMPLETE Penn Central passenger train. Before either one of them, though, they should do the North Coast Limited. So many people want it, Kato just couldn't possibly go wrong !!! The only locomotive I really need is an Alco C415. I challenge ANY manufacturer to make one of those !!!
The Kato motor was a part of this wish list. I wished for a better Kato motor, I guess some people still want a slot car motor and didn't like my wish!
PRR K4 Had to get that out of the way. E7 A/B units. The chassis is done, just need new shells. PRR had many in different schemes. PRR E8 in simplified keystone only scheme 4-8-4's in other roadnames. The FEF chassis appears to be a winner, so they should make some new shells to offer this in other roadnames. Scott
