hello guys.......... I see that Bachmann released the new N scale NW-2 so how do they compared to the Kato NW-2 ? I see Bachmann's price is little higher than the Kato is for the same type of locomotive so which is a better trouble free runner ? tiffany nw-2
You need to compare DCC version to a DCC version, I can purchase a Bachmann DCC for $79.99, a Kato with DCC is $123.99. I don't own a Bachmann NW2, but if the Bachmann runs any where as good as the Bachmann S4 that I would say it's one great running switcher. I have run my S4s quite a bit without any problems. There are several posts on the internet were a gear has come loose on the Kato NW-2 loco? If your running DC and never plan on upgrading to DCC than the Kato is a little cheaper. As far as trouble free, both locos will require some maintenances, cleaning and oil down the road.
Spookshow has the most honest reviews out there http://www.spookshow.net/loco/bachnw2.html http://www.spookshow.net/katonw2.html
$124 gets you the Kato Kobo model with a pre-installed TCS decoder, which isn't exactly a fair comparison. $105 plus a few minutes work with a screwdriver gives you a "standard" Kato NW2 with a Digitrax decoder, which is still a much better decoder than the Bachmann bare-bones decoder, and is a more fair comparison. While the Bachmann decoder is "OK" for basic running, I generally have found myself eventually upgrading anyway, which puts the effective cost for the Bachmann at closer to $100-110, depending. Disclaimer: I don't have the Bachmann NW2 but have a few other recent Bachmanns with what I expect to be the same decoder based on reported feature set. The Kato model also has a modeled cab which is quite visible through the NW2's relatively large cab windows, so I give them extra points for that.
If you're looking for the best tooled shell (that's how I compare locos), the Kato is the winner by tenfold. Jason
tiffany, I have both and they are very good runners. I installed a Digitrax decoder in the Kato. I have found both of them to have hesitation on my Unitacke double crossovers. Since I have some grades about 2%, I am running them in a consist pulling up to 6 covered hoppers, one containing a sound decoder. This has eliminated any hesitation. The Kato runs much faster than the Bachmann making speed matching a challenge. I use them all the time and am very pleased with the performance of both.
A lot of people don't install there own decoders so you need to add labor charge and your back up to $125. I never seen a need to change the stock decoder, check spookshow review.
Appearance: about the same. Slow speed control: slight edge to B-mann for smoothness. The Kato can be a bit jerky at creep speeds. I run mine on DC. The one caveat on the "smooth' for the B-mann is that it does require more starting voltage and you must scale back the throttle once it starts. I would suspect that once I fry the B-mann decoder (this has happened on several that I run on DC--I do not use DCC), it will run even better at creep speeds. This has been my experience with all of the recent B-mann issues with the factory decoder. At twenty-five SMPH, they are about the same. Pulling power: about the same. Couplers: I put MTs on my Katos. I like them better than the McHenry on the B-mann. In fact, I like the Kato couplers better than the McHenry. MT installation is simple on the Kato. I have not tried it on the B-mann. Curve radius: The Kato will take the sharp curves on UNITRAM track. The Bachmann climbs and derails. B-mann glues the windows into the cab with some sort of super-stick glue. The result of that is that if you want to strip for repainting, or, even if you buy a painted/unlettered and want to add lettering, you must either replace the glazing or mask the windows. Several posters have mentioned this to Bachpersonn on its forum. The moderator there has acknowledged it, but nothing has happened. It is simple to disassemble the Kato. There have been complaints about the plastic's cracking on some of the drive train parts of the Kato. These complaints have shown on the RDCs, as well. Neither of my NW-2s and none of my RDCs have shown this. B-mann does offer a painted/unlettered, which Kato does not. It is not hard to strip the Kato paint--ninety one per cent alcohol will do it. I have only a painted/unlettered B-mann NW-2, so I do not know how hard it is to strip the paint from it. I would advise that you let the road name availability dictate your choice--assuming that the road name that you want is available. If both, or neither, manufacturers offer your road name, I would advise that price dictate your choice. Either one of them is allright. The only N scale yard goats to which I give any enthusiastic review are the Atlas Baldwin or the latest issue of the B-mann USRA 0-6-0 as modified with a SPECTRUM tender. Even those two have their drawbacks. The Baldwin climbs UNITRAM curves and the tender on the 0-6-0 tracks poorly on those same curves, although I suspect that the latter is due to force vectors from the drawbar connexion. The 0-6-0 has limited pulling/pushing power due to its small size. The recent issue yard goats with which I have any experience are: 1. Atlas Baldwin 2. B-mann GE 44 ton 3. B-mann GE 70 ton 4. B-mann USRA 0-6-0 5. B-mann ALCo S-4 6. B-mann NW-2 7. Kato NW-2 8. Con-Cor SW-whatever (latest issue) 9. LL SW-9/1200 The first three are excellent, although #2 and #3 creep much better and are much smoother on DC without their decoders (I fried them all on DC). Further, it is pushing it calling #2 and #3 "yard goats". Number 4 is excellent, but must be modified. Number 5, 6, 7 and 9 are allright. The LL does like to pick the frogs and points on Kato #4 and the frogs on Atlas SNAP-TRAK #4 and #6 turnouts. Number 8 is acceptable, but really, there are better yard goats out there. I have no experience with the Atlas MP or MT SW-1500, as those prototypes are too modern for me.
I've not come across an easier decoder install than the Kato NW2, except perhaps for the FVM GEVO. If folks want or need to have someone else do it for them, that's fine, but if they can successfully use a Phillips screwdriver, IMHO they are wasting their money. I still don't think it's fair to compare the very basic Bachmann decoder* to a TCS K3D3 or even the Digitrax decoder. They are not apples/apples. Both of the aftermarket decoders have additional features, better motor control, and far more customizability than the Bachmann, which barely supports the NMRA required CVs. So you can have a good running loco with a very basic decoder for $80, or a good running loco with a very good decoder for $100, or you can have a good running loco with a very good decoder that someone else installed for you for $125. If you are happy with the basic Bachmann decoder, more power to you, you can spend that $20 or $50 on something else. I, too, was quite happy with it until I wanted to tweak the speed profile to better suit how I wanted the loco to run. * Again, disclaimer: I'm assuming the Bachmann unit comes with the same basic decoder I've had in my other recent B'mann engines. I don't personally own a B'mann NW2 so I can't say for sure. If it ships with a better decoder, I rescind my point.
I put a Lifelike SW on a Bachmann NW chassis. Had to glue the Cab on and cut a little for clearance, but it went and fits well. I'm not thrilled with the Bachmann decoder and am looking for something to replace it with. In the menatime, I have a Kato NW2 on the way - so things may change. I also have Bachmann S-4 that I've heard so much about. Pretty much the same as the NW2 after it's broken in, but if you want an S, I would recommend looking for an Atlas S-2 - a far superior model and it was was easy to put DCC in (I learned what to avoid from Mtntrainman's posts. I'm looking for a replacement decoder for the S-4, also. I gave up on my 44 ton and sold it. Don
Thanks, Don. I have two custom painted LL SW's that just won't run well. (They were done as stand in's for NW's, before there were NWs available). I might get a Bachmann NW and try one. If it works, I'll be thrilled. Joel
The Atlas S-2 is by far a better running diesel than either the Bachmann S-4 or Bachmann NW2. Have fun with it..... Shades
Yes,did the LL SW8 on the Kato NW2 chassis. I had to do a little cutting and grinding but nothing major. Mostly permanently glue the cab to the hood so that the excess material could be removed to fit. But width, length, etc. is OK. I did it mostly because the LL mechanism had a tendency to oxidize the wheels if it sat. Rather annoying; you'd park it at the end of yard switching, come back a couple days later and it would stall like crazy. Or park it in the enginehouse and not be able to get it back out, which really got me. Clean wheels, you'd be good again.... The Kato wheels don't do that, they stay clean. All a matter of material used.
Joelsama, With some careful tuning, the LL SWs can be made to run superbly. It's probably my favorite mech to work on. I have hardwired decoders and added cab lighting and beacons to a few of my own and for others. I have not used the newer decoders that replace the stock light board however. Out of the box, they were all over the road as far as running qualities. Within the last week I ran 7 different ones back to back and although I would say none ran poorly they were all definately different. One might be buzzy, another whine a bit while yet another was very quiet and smooth. All ran well just some better than others. I have one with a TCS Z2 decoder that will crawl almost imperceptibly and is almost silent. The mech does have it's own little idiosyncrasies but as I said earlier they can be exceptional runners. I guess my whole point here is don't judge the whole batch by the characteristics of one or two.
I don't happen to own that type loco in either, but will say that Kato IMHO would always be the more detailed Model over a similar Bachmann even though the Kato would cost slightly more. And I've gone with Kato more often than Bachmann. And with the Kato more often than not DCC isn't installed leaving hit up to you the Modeler to install the Decoder of your choice and options and as previously stated come equipped with a basic function Decoder which I too would be changing out before long.
I don't understand why anyone would need to change out the Bachmann decoder. I'm really particular in slow speed running and my 2 - S4s run really great. This is the main reason I'm not to fond of Kato and have replaced most of my Kato locos motors with Atlas scale speed ones. I don't know why Randy has the oxidation problem, I own 6 Life Like switchers and none have this problem. They get run very little and sit in there boxes most of the time, but each time I pull them out they all run great except one that's a little noisy. My 2 MT sw1500s with Life Like chassis run perfect.
Joelsama, Got in the Kato NW-2 I was waiting for and the decoder. Took just a little bit more carving on the LifeLike body than the Bachmann did, but runs sooooo much better. Recommended upgrade. Don
