Kato SD40 and SD45

Discussion in 'Diesel Locomotives' started by Rick McClellan, Nov 21, 2010.

  1. Rick McClellan

    Rick McClellan 2009 Engineer of the Year

    Tonight I was looking through my Kato SD40 and SD45 boxes for any additional parts when I ran across a cash register receipt that was dated Sept 1991. I had to pause for a moment when I realized that these units have been in service on my layouts for 19 years? It they were people they could vote, join the military and drink illegally.

    I am amazed at their durability and quality over these last two decades and I am looking forward to the next two decades.
     
  2. pensive

    pensive Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Has Kato ever made anything in a Frisco paint scheme? I know that they made an O/W GP7 for Atlas, but I don't think that that counts.

    Rich
     
  3. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    To my knowledge, only a few pieces of rolling stock. And on the GP7 I think it means an Atlas shell on a Kato drive.
     
  4. Rick McClellan

    Rick McClellan 2009 Engineer of the Year

    Ethan is correct. Kato has never produced any factory painted Frisco units. I don't believe either the SD40-2 or the SD45 Kato shells are correct for the Frisco.

    I am running UP SD40s and a SD45. They just keep running and running and running . . . .
     
  5. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    The Kato drives on the Stewart F-units, and later U25b's, are terrific.

    The only "pure" Kato I have left now is one undec RS2 - to be a SLSF 550-554 some day.

    I had several undec NW2's SD45's, GP35's (three phases), and another RS2 - all gone now. They all ran smooth as silk.

    Ken
     
  6. MFreix

    MFreix Member


    Those UP units not only still run, but seem to run WELL!
     
  7. pensive

    pensive Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Thank you Ethan, Rick and Ken for your responses.

    Ethan, what pieces of rolling stock has Kato produced?

    Ken, I forgot about the Stewart F3's though those are not pure Kato products. I've got a Stewart U25B only with an Athearn drive. It's a mediocre model that was expensive.

    Rich
     
  8. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Rich -

    Kato made the ACF 70-ton 2-bay covered hopper car in kits several years ago. They came in sets of three per road name - they did do Wabash & Cotten Belt, but no Frisco. Very innovative kit - you put it together without the need for glue/cement/adhesive. It also came with their ASF A-3 Ride Control truck, which was nice.

    Yes, all the mid-90's Stewart F's ran on a Kato drive chassis, F3, F7, F9. They run like a fine watch. I still have a bunch.

    The early Stewart U25b did indeed come on an Athearn drive chassis, with Athearn AAR-B trucks. Their second release (later phase with the slope nose) came on a Kato drive chassis, with much better trucks. The two I have (one early one, one later one) both are on the Kato chassis through some astute and lucky shopping on my part once!

    Ken
     

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