Its a mixed bag when it comes to manufacturers. You can add to the list a diversity of road names. Does it really matter if they do not run as good as a Kato out of the box? What good is a good running locomotive if the manufacturer does not produce it in the road name you want? Being the best running locomotive on a store shelf means nothing. And let's be fair here. When it comes to running ability we are not talking about a good runner vs one that is horrible. Maybe once that was the case but not anymore. Running ability differs by a matter of degrees and borders on the arbitrary. So one has to consider all the variables and not concentrate on one particular one.
I was just saying that while Kato run better overall. I am not saying that the others are not good models, just highlighting the differences. I like IM and FVM for running more products with more road numbers than Kato. And the IM Tunnel motors had the same issues as Atlas SD50/SD60 locomotives due to the truck design. I am hoping the new SD40/SD45's will have better trucks. Regardless of that, I have plenty of them on pre-order. Just like I have lots of FVM locomotives that I really like. They run really well but just not as smooth as a Kato. There is no harm or foul with this statement.
+2... Kato will do very well creating these smaller passenger consists as boxed sets. I would expect a few like the Nebraska Zephyr, Twin Cities Zephyr & Sam Houston Zephyr. Likewise... all seven of the Rock Island 'pocket' Rocket sets. I hope... that they don't wait until after they exhaust all of these small passenger sets... before they get to the NCL. Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk
Maybe... Kato will also do some of the small passenger sets of the Missouri Pacific Eagles... Hmmm??? Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk
Dave, I've recently become interested in Santa Fe's Kodachrome scheme. Could you elaborate on what was wrong with Kato's versions? Did Atlas do a better job? How about IM? While I don't have any yet, I'm looking at acquiring one of Atlas' B23-7 or B36-7 to run with my B40-8s. Any advise?
The yellow is burnt orange, the red is wrong too. This is a more correct coloration. (From the Intermountain site) As Brenner said, Atlas and Intermountain are much better (closer) to the proper colorization.
Boy, I see what you mean now, simply comparing a couple of listings on eBay. Unfortunately, that's the same golden yellow that Kato uses on all of their ATSF offerings - the yellow stripping on F7 Freights, the Yellowbonnetts, etc. It's virtually the same golden yellow used on D&RGW. Thanks for everyone's help. It will definitely influence any purchases I eventually make. And my apologies for hijacking the thread.
