The pre production pic looks wonderful!!! I hope the BNSF version gets produced. I think the BNSF are slightly different from the UP. Also a SD70M-2 would be nice... GEVO too while I am at it.
I heard UP had to paint all those engines in fantasy paint schemes because the model railroad manufacturers wanted royalties...
Actually, the opposite it true, sorta. UP was charging royalties to manufacturers and they were squawking about it. In some instances, for paint schemes no longer used, such as the MKT. I had heard that some legal proceedings were on the horizon, but I am not sure, and all of a sudden, out come the heritage units. Funny thing about them, they don't relly resemble any of the original schemes, well, maybe in an abstract way, but to me, not really. In any case, soon after, UP stopped charging for the stuff...but, the damage is done, theres a lot of guys out there who will see Thomas the tank engine pulling their stuff before a UP engine will.....
LMAO! I needed a good laugh after watching my beloved Manchester United lose 2-0 to Barcalona in the Champions League Final tonight:tb-sad: Just seen on the Kato Web Site that they're put DCC Instructions for the SD70Ace up today - shares the same lightboard as the 2006 SD40-2, so that means LED fitted DCC Decoders like the Digitrax DN163K1C.
Another screwless design! Some will not be happy, although that doesn't include me... I'm a little surprised, I thought they would re-use the good old SD70MAC/AC4000CW mech.
One thing I'm noticing is they chose to leave out some minor areas of detail paint. On the Rio Grande, the whole front plow is left yellow. I'm sure this helped keep cost down quite a bit, but those of us who take the time to paint those air hoses and box behind the ditch lights black, make the side steps silver, and add a touch of red to the valve handles above the fuel tank will be left with one beautiful model. Either way, we are presented with yet another superb looking model from Kato.
Excuse me. Locomotive rookie here... If I may ask, what it there to (potentially) dislike about a "screwless design" and just what _is_ a screwless design in the first place, please? thanks...
earlier split frame drives from kato were held together by using two screws. the newer design no longer features this screws. also the drive train looks completely different. there are some pros and cons of this design : cons : - trucks tend to fall out during transport - locos tend to lean to one side if trucks are not installed carefully pros : - no way to overtighten the screws and therefore bind the drive train. i have lots of kato engines of all levels of evolution. pre-dcc ready drives, dcc ready drives, the new screwless drives. i'm happy with all of them.
M.B. Kleins is showing the SD70Ace's in stock (at least the DRGW were in stock, but not now). Your favorite pusher should have them out shortly. Mr. Wallet just went into cardiac arrest.... Brian
I got all three of the ones that are supposed to be here any day on order. So what did I do today? Went to the hobby shop and bought more locomotives! Maybe I have a problem.....
Kato had fixed the trucks falling out issue with the second run of BNSF with some foam to keep the trucks tight and then on the newest run of BNSF with the swoosh they had extended the white plastic piece under the fuel tank front and rear to support the trucks while being shipped. So these will probably have the same part to stop the trucks from popping out. I have yet to have an issue with this design.
we got them in at the shop today, but I didn't have a chance to even open one up, but tomorrow.......
I wound up with one (#8520), and it's currently undergoing break-in, followed by some testing. It'll end up with DCC, I'm going to see if the sound decoder for the post-2006 SD40-2 will fit.
Kato's web site says it won't fit. http://www.katousa.com/N/SD70ACe/maint/DCC.html Important Note: The MRC SD40-2 Drop-in 0001806 decoder board will NOT fit in the SD70ACe due to height clearance on the board.
