@intercity112255 To be perfectly honest, they are some of my favorite locomotives. The DCC decoders are very easy to install and sound great. The engines run well with just about any other model and have a lot of pulling power. I also like that it has a detailed cab interior that is easy to add figures to.
@ChristopherTheWolf Thank you! And yes, it is! I have a couple other videos with it running, but it doesn't run all that well. Hopefully, Athearn will be releasing their version in the near future and I will grab one of those!!!
@zmsanders Thank you!!! Yeah, the Kato's are probably my favorite engines since you get to do some of the detail work and the DCC decoders are installed very easily. I found mine on ebay and the other I bought at a train store. Good luck!!!
hello, i think you use DCC, have you problems with charge compensation ??? i tried to put some engine together, and it doesnt work properly, one start before other, and one ride faster a full speed... my experience was made with same engine, just one motor weared more than the other ....
Hi there!!!! Yes, I do use DCC and I have encountered your problem before.
In my experience it is because of different motors made by different companies or decoders, but never just a worn engine. However, I'm sure that it can be fixed the same way.
Pretty much, you just have to find out what CV controls the speed curve and then adjust it so that the loco's run about the same speed.
Send me a private message if you would like more help.
thanks for response, it is what i think, using CV, but this is hard to find good CV value, sometimes too fast, or too slow, wheel slip in one engine then on the other ...
Yeah, the easiest way is if you know someone with a scale spedometer. It is hard, but once you know how to adjust it, just go by intervals of 5 or 10 and then make finer adjustments.
Thanks! Yeah, we actually don't have any room for a bigger layout right now, but we do have an old club layout that is about 30' x 18' double decker in Oregon waiting for my folks to retire and move up there. So, once the do, then we'll have a HUGE layout.
Thanks, I like the AC6000CW too! That day, the SD60M was giving me troubles and didn't want to run that great, that's why there was all that jerking. He's since been cleaned up and fixed!
I have the same type of SD60M three window cab. It is a railpower shell with an aftermarket motor on a athearn shell. The person I got it from detailed the heck out of it too and it looks hot
I also have a proto 2000 sd 60 and I had the same problem ...with a little bit of oil and TLC I was able to make go like clock work again it now runs very smoothly and quietly :-)
Hi there! Yes the AC4400 and SD90MAC are both from Kato, but they do not come factory equipped with sound. The AC4400 has a digitrax sound decoder in it and the SD90MAC has a soundtrax decoder.
As far as the comparison, I would say they are about even. Both have cab interiors, but the Kato's you have to assemble the small parts. Its fun after you do it a couple of times, but its a pain in the beginning! But adding the DCC to any of these is easy. The BlueLine requires a lot of CV work though.
Thanks I've actually got two more flag units now! I've got some from Arnies in Westminsiter, CA and some from Milepost 38 in Anahem Hills. The others I've gotten from ebay or factory direct trains.
Yeah, I just got #5799 too. They are two of my favorite loco's since they have the flag, plus they are excellent runners and the sound decoder is easy to install.
Ha Ha!!! That would actually be really cool!!! Oh, by the way, I finally got all of the programming stuff figured out. I kept switching the DCS100 to the program mode and you're supposed to leave it in the on position. After that, everything works perfect and no issues whatsoever! Thanks again for your help!
Woah, I don't have that many units!! I have a lot, never really counted them all, but I'm positive that I don;t have 250. LOL!! That would be a little one sided, don't you think?
87, mixed roads my friend. How would they stand up against 3 large UP steam locos? (Big Boy, Challenger, Mountain) I'll take you on! I may not win, but I'll take you on!
You Know what Pat!! I just got a Kato AC4400CW (Union Pacific of course)! and it is the same road number as yours is! That's allitle creepy. I hope to make some videos with it in there, I will see. I am still allitle undecided if I should put sound in it or not.
Ha ha ha!!! That's awesome Max! I actually just got #5799 also, and I am going to put sound in it and get some vids of the two running together. Should be cool. Oh yeah, and definitely put the sound in it. Email me and I can send you a link for a guy on ebay that is selling them for $60!
$60!!!! WOW!! I have never heard of a Kato locomotive for that little. Also, I am going to have to exchange the engine and swtich engines, so I will then have #5799! The engine I have right now, the shell doesn't snap down right on the front and does not hold after we put the decoder on. So, I will still have the same number engine as you have with your new engine. I think that I should have followed my gut feeling to get #5799!! HA HA!!
Sorry, it's actually the sound decoder that is $60. The loco I got for about $150. Where did you find them. I got mine from a UP modeler on ebay, because I thought Kato discontinued them. You may want to double check all of the placement of the wiring and everything to make sure nothing's in the way. They are tricky to get back together, but if you are EXTREMELY careful, it should go back on.
I got the AC4400 at a model railroad hobby shop for (after a discount) $141. The new KATO AC4400's have now a area in the gas tank, for you to unscrew and place the speaker in. I think that is the new generation that they are making. Also to get to the subject about putting the engine back togethor, I am not sure what exactly is going on. But the man whon helped me put it togethor (since it's my first KATO engine) said that there was no wires blocking the frame from going down.
Yeah, hopefully you don't have a repeat. I actually had the same thing happen with the rear clips on my loco. I don't remember what we did to fix it, but it still sits higher than the front.
I use the one from Digitrax that is designed for these loco's. That is what costs $60, and the fit right in easily and you don't even have to solder, although I still do.
Yeh, my last comment was allitle too long, so I will put the rest here. Like I was saying, the man works with Kato and has gotten several locomotives from them (Only SD80'S AND SD90'S). He said that there were PROBABLY no wires blocking the frame from going down. It looked like the two front latches that snap down to hold the frame down are locking but not holding if you try to pick it up by the frame. I will most likely get that sound decoder from that guy on eBay, if this conflict is resolved.
I meant the amount that the decoder was. I was thinking of someting else. Is it that guy under the name of broadway_depot? I saw his listing. Does that come with the speaker?
Yep, that's him and yes the speaker does come with it. I asked him the same question and he said that he had trouble finding any good quality pictures of the decoder and speaker from Digitrax.
How well does your SD60M run on its own? (i.e., not part of a consist)
I assume you're aware that Proto2000 geared their SD60 series differently than any other locos, and they don't run well in consists anyway? (of course, this can be adjusted somewhat using the speed tables in DCC, but in analog it's a real mess).
Actually on its own it runs excellent, but a little slower than most locomtives. But yes, I did notice that and did in fact adjust the speed tables to get it programmed better to fit in a consist. Unfortunately though, I don't remember the CV's or their values! LOL!
Everything you say makes me think your SD60M is just fine. It's Proto2000's weird gearing that's causing the problem -- I think some people even replaced the gears to fix it.
You might try a web search to see if there are any recommendations about speed tables for that loco.
I bought a slew of those SD60 and SD60M's at train shows (they were selling really cheap!) but I gave up on running them in consists with any other type of loco. Good pullers though!
Woah, I didn't know it was the actual gearing! Thanks for the info though, I'll check that out because mine still starts moving sooner than the others because of messing with the speed tables.
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you too, oops! ;)
I agree with you all about the SD60M. I really like that 3 window cab. I like the SD60M overall. It is a good engine. Still a good video. Keep up the good job.
Thanks, that is one of my favorite loco's mainly because it is so unique with the three cab windows and then also because it is just a mean, ugly, machine! I saw that Athearn is going ot be releasing some SD60M's in 2008, do you know if they will have the three cab windows?
I saw them at the iHobbyExpo a month ago, they are only coming out with two window for UP, BN and SD60I conrail. I'm like you I love the three window cab though...
Thanks! Actually that in the back is about 1/3 of a yard from an old club layout that was 30'x20' and double decked. Right now it's not even powered, just used for storage!
Almost all my vids have 5608 in it, i sound dub real train sounds into mine. I will have a movie without dubbing after i get my BLI Paragon (QSI sound) BNSF SD40-2 6332
Yeah, I heard a lot of bad talk about that sound decoder after I got mine, but I really like it a lot! It has a ton of functions, a unique horn that matches the AC4400, and it is pretty compact and easy to fit into most modern diesels! Do you have any vids of your loco with that sound decoder in it?
Yeah, that's my favorite too especially since I put so much time into it. It's a Kato AC4400 with a Digitrax SDH104K-1 sound decoder in it. He's not the heaviest loco to be able to pull a large train with, but he looks great leading a consist.
I am going to weather all of these loco's (except the SD60M because he's already weathered) this weekend and shoot some new footage of them weathered, should look cool.
Yeah, I just will probably never hook it up. The speaker for the sound is glued to the roof directly underneath that so drilling to put in a light would be tough to say the least.
Yeah, I wish I still had our old club layout! 30'x18' is a little more suting for all these trains. In fact, that's why we have soooo many. When the club closed we got the layout and a bunch of trains (granted all of the loco's in this vid are mine).
Are the ac4400 cw worth buying? are they good?
intercity112255 2 weeks ago
@intercity112255 To be perfectly honest, they are some of my favorite locomotives. The DCC decoders are very easy to install and sound great. The engines run well with just about any other model and have a lot of pulling power. I also like that it has a detailed cab interior that is easy to add figures to.
pwhite73 1 week ago
Nice fleet of union pacific engines man. ^^ btw, is that a dd40 I see next to that steam engine?
ChristopherTheWolf 8 months ago
@ChristopherTheWolf Thank you! And yes, it is! I have a couple other videos with it running, but it doesn't run all that well. Hopefully, Athearn will be releasing their version in the near future and I will grab one of those!!!
pwhite73 8 months ago
@pwhite73 Ur welcome, and cool. I'll look for those and watch them ^^
ChristopherTheWolf 8 months ago
Nothign quietlike UP yellow flett and Santa fe Yellowbonnetts
7nordic 1 year ago
@zmsanders Thank you!!! Yeah, the Kato's are probably my favorite engines since you get to do some of the detail work and the DCC decoders are installed very easily. I found mine on ebay and the other I bought at a train store. Good luck!!!
pwhite73 1 year ago
ac6000 FTW
Addicted2Guitars 1 year ago
wonderfull i will by the train american because i loved the monster truck mdr
hiroyouwee 2 years ago
hey Pat I just got my Union Pacific c44-9w its a great engine!!!
Jabbajawz4life 2 years ago
Awesome, what make is it? Athearn, Kato,....
You should make a video with it!!!!
pwhite73 2 years ago
Yea I have a video up already.Go check it out!
Jabbajawz4life 2 years ago
that was one of the most sluggish engine of them all
knightbob81 3 years ago
hello, i think you use DCC, have you problems with charge compensation ??? i tried to put some engine together, and it doesnt work properly, one start before other, and one ride faster a full speed... my experience was made with same engine, just one motor weared more than the other ....
if someone can help me :D ....
danisim9 3 years ago
Hi there!!!! Yes, I do use DCC and I have encountered your problem before.
In my experience it is because of different motors made by different companies or decoders, but never just a worn engine. However, I'm sure that it can be fixed the same way.
Pretty much, you just have to find out what CV controls the speed curve and then adjust it so that the loco's run about the same speed.
Send me a private message if you would like more help.
Hope this gets you started!
pwhite73 3 years ago
thanks for response, it is what i think, using CV, but this is hard to find good CV value, sometimes too fast, or too slow, wheel slip in one engine then on the other ...
danisim9 3 years ago
Yeah, the easiest way is if you know someone with a scale spedometer. It is hard, but once you know how to adjust it, just go by intervals of 5 or 10 and then make finer adjustments.
pwhite73 3 years ago
are you having problems with your sd60m in the video its kinda slugish
zirathekillerlioness 3 years ago
Yeah, the wheels and track were really dirty. I've cleaned it up and it runs better in my other vids!
pwhite73 3 years ago
awsome turbo whine on the sd40 !
flexspinner 3 years ago
Thanks! Yeah, I love the sound on the SD40. Its one of the Broadway Limited BlueLine loco's.
pwhite73 3 years ago
wow take it from me a train watcher/ ho scale owner u got a nice layout and nice trains but get a bigger layout
GreenPeaceKid67 3 years ago
Thanks! Yeah, we actually don't have any room for a bigger layout right now, but we do have an old club layout that is about 30' x 18' double decker in Oregon waiting for my folks to retire and move up there. So, once the do, then we'll have a HUGE layout.
pwhite73 3 years ago
NICE!!!!
UnionPacificRules 3 years ago
Ha ha! Thanks man, I totally dig your name! LOL!
pwhite73 3 years ago
There was a lot of jerking in the locos. I like the Ac6000CW
MonsterRailroad 3 years ago
Thanks, I like the AC6000CW too! That day, the SD60M was giving me troubles and didn't want to run that great, that's why there was all that jerking. He's since been cleaned up and fixed!
pwhite73 3 years ago
I have the same type of SD60M three window cab. It is a railpower shell with an aftermarket motor on a athearn shell. The person I got it from detailed the heck out of it too and it looks hot
MonsterRailroad 3 years ago
I also have a proto 2000 sd 60 and I had the same problem ...with a little bit of oil and TLC I was able to make go like clock work again it now runs very smoothly and quietly :-)
90210DOWNUNDER 3 years ago
Yep same here! After some conduct-a-lube and lots of cleaning, it runs very well. Unfortunately this video was shot before that was done.
pwhite73 3 years ago
Hello is the AC4400 and SD90MAC Kato?Are they factory equiped with sound,and how would you rate the compared to your Blueline ac6000?.
90210DOWNUNDER 3 years ago
Hi there! Yes the AC4400 and SD90MAC are both from Kato, but they do not come factory equipped with sound. The AC4400 has a digitrax sound decoder in it and the SD90MAC has a soundtrax decoder.
As far as the comparison, I would say they are about even. Both have cab interiors, but the Kato's you have to assemble the small parts. Its fun after you do it a couple of times, but its a pain in the beginning! But adding the DCC to any of these is easy. The BlueLine requires a lot of CV work though.
pwhite73 3 years ago
HOLY WOW!!!!!
thetrainman407 3 years ago
Ha Ha, thanks! My fleet has actually grown a little since this video. I have another AC4400 and an SD90MAC.
pwhite73 3 years ago
AWESOME!!
thetrainman407 3 years ago
Oh wow the flag scheme is awsome!! Were did you purchase these nice locomotives?
zip1325 3 years ago
Thanks I've actually got two more flag units now! I've got some from Arnies in Westminsiter, CA and some from Milepost 38 in Anahem Hills. The others I've gotten from ebay or factory direct trains.
pwhite73 3 years ago
man i want the kato AC4400, i love the flag scheme!
MikeDelic14 3 years ago
Yeah, I just got #5799 too. They are two of my favorite loco's since they have the flag, plus they are excellent runners and the sound decoder is easy to install.
pwhite73 3 years ago
thats true! nothing runs like Kato!
MikeDelic14 3 years ago
Do you wan to have a tug of war with my Norfolk Southern locomotives?
dcalcutt 4 years ago
Ha Ha!!! That would actually be really cool!!! Oh, by the way, I finally got all of the programming stuff figured out. I kept switching the DCS100 to the program mode and you're supposed to leave it in the on position. After that, everything works perfect and no issues whatsoever! Thanks again for your help!
pwhite73 4 years ago
have you seen my locomotive loster? YOu better be prepared? I boasting over 250 Norfolk Southern units now.
dcalcutt 4 years ago
Woah, I don't have that many units!! I have a lot, never really counted them all, but I'm positive that I don;t have 250. LOL!! That would be a little one sided, don't you think?
pwhite73 4 years ago
conrail is better ;P
Tjsingle14 4 years ago
FYI, Conrail is dead. CSX is better. BUT, Amtrak BEATS ALL!
MarkConductor775 3 years ago
87, mixed roads my friend. How would they stand up against 3 large UP steam locos? (Big Boy, Challenger, Mountain) I'll take you on! I may not win, but I'll take you on!
MarkConductor775 3 years ago
You Know what Pat!! I just got a Kato AC4400CW (Union Pacific of course)! and it is the same road number as yours is! That's allitle creepy. I hope to make some videos with it in there, I will see. I am still allitle undecided if I should put sound in it or not.
TrainmanMax 4 years ago
Ha ha ha!!! That's awesome Max! I actually just got #5799 also, and I am going to put sound in it and get some vids of the two running together. Should be cool. Oh yeah, and definitely put the sound in it. Email me and I can send you a link for a guy on ebay that is selling them for $60!
pwhite73 4 years ago
$60!!!! WOW!! I have never heard of a Kato locomotive for that little. Also, I am going to have to exchange the engine and swtich engines, so I will then have #5799! The engine I have right now, the shell doesn't snap down right on the front and does not hold after we put the decoder on. So, I will still have the same number engine as you have with your new engine. I think that I should have followed my gut feeling to get #5799!! HA HA!!
TrainmanMax 4 years ago
Sorry, it's actually the sound decoder that is $60. The loco I got for about $150. Where did you find them. I got mine from a UP modeler on ebay, because I thought Kato discontinued them. You may want to double check all of the placement of the wiring and everything to make sure nothing's in the way. They are tricky to get back together, but if you are EXTREMELY careful, it should go back on.
pwhite73 4 years ago
I got the AC4400 at a model railroad hobby shop for (after a discount) $141. The new KATO AC4400's have now a area in the gas tank, for you to unscrew and place the speaker in. I think that is the new generation that they are making. Also to get to the subject about putting the engine back togethor, I am not sure what exactly is going on. But the man whon helped me put it togethor (since it's my first KATO engine) said that there was no wires blocking the frame from going down.
TrainmanMax 4 years ago
Oh, well that sucks!!! LOL!!
pwhite73 4 years ago
I'll have to see what happens with the newer locmotive I hope to get after exchanging this one.
TrainmanMax 4 years ago
Yeah, hopefully you don't have a repeat. I actually had the same thing happen with the rear clips on my loco. I don't remember what we did to fix it, but it still sits higher than the front.
pwhite73 4 years ago
Yeh. Like I said, I will see.
TrainmanMax 4 years ago
Also, what sound decoder do you use? I really want to have sound on it, as long as it doesn't cost and arm and a leg!
TrainmanMax 4 years ago
I use the one from Digitrax that is designed for these loco's. That is what costs $60, and the fit right in easily and you don't even have to solder, although I still do.
pwhite73 4 years ago
Yeh, my last comment was allitle too long, so I will put the rest here. Like I was saying, the man works with Kato and has gotten several locomotives from them (Only SD80'S AND SD90'S). He said that there were PROBABLY no wires blocking the frame from going down. It looked like the two front latches that snap down to hold the frame down are locking but not holding if you try to pick it up by the frame. I will most likely get that sound decoder from that guy on eBay, if this conflict is resolved.
TrainmanMax 4 years ago
I meant the amount that the decoder was. I was thinking of someting else. Is it that guy under the name of broadway_depot? I saw his listing. Does that come with the speaker?
TrainmanMax 4 years ago
Yep, that's him and yes the speaker does come with it. I asked him the same question and he said that he had trouble finding any good quality pictures of the decoder and speaker from Digitrax.
pwhite73 4 years ago
Okay thanks.
TrainmanMax 4 years ago
love the K5. is that a loksound decoder too?
MarkConductor775 4 years ago
Nope, actually that is the Broadway Limited BlueLine standard horn.
pwhite73 4 years ago
How well does your SD60M run on its own? (i.e., not part of a consist)
I assume you're aware that Proto2000 geared their SD60 series differently than any other locos, and they don't run well in consists anyway? (of course, this can be adjusted somewhat using the speed tables in DCC, but in analog it's a real mess).
LoofLirpa4 4 years ago
Actually on its own it runs excellent, but a little slower than most locomtives. But yes, I did notice that and did in fact adjust the speed tables to get it programmed better to fit in a consist. Unfortunately though, I don't remember the CV's or their values! LOL!
pwhite73 4 years ago
Everything you say makes me think your SD60M is just fine. It's Proto2000's weird gearing that's causing the problem -- I think some people even replaced the gears to fix it.
You might try a web search to see if there are any recommendations about speed tables for that loco.
I bought a slew of those SD60 and SD60M's at train shows (they were selling really cheap!) but I gave up on running them in consists with any other type of loco. Good pullers though!
LoofLirpa4 4 years ago
Woah, I didn't know it was the actual gearing! Thanks for the info though, I'll check that out because mine still starts moving sooner than the others because of messing with the speed tables.
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you too, oops! ;)
pwhite73 4 years ago
I agree with you all about the SD60M. I really like that 3 window cab. I like the SD60M overall. It is a good engine. Still a good video. Keep up the good job.
TrainmanMax 4 years ago
Thanks man, I appreciate it. Can't wait to see some more of yours!
pwhite73 4 years ago
Nice fleet you got, love the SD60M as well!
nolsknows1 4 years ago
Thanks, that is one of my favorite loco's mainly because it is so unique with the three cab windows and then also because it is just a mean, ugly, machine! I saw that Athearn is going ot be releasing some SD60M's in 2008, do you know if they will have the three cab windows?
pwhite73 4 years ago
I saw them at the iHobbyExpo a month ago, they are only coming out with two window for UP, BN and SD60I conrail. I'm like you I love the three window cab though...
nolsknows1 4 years ago
Darn, I was afraid of that! Oh well, thanks for the info though!
pwhite73 4 years ago
Coll video. Can see some of the layout in the background. Lets see more.....
bechho 4 years ago
Thanks! Actually that in the back is about 1/3 of a yard from an old club layout that was 30'x20' and double decked. Right now it's not even powered, just used for storage!
pwhite73 4 years ago
GOOD VIDEO!!
TrainmanMax 4 years ago
Almost all my vids have 5608 in it, i sound dub real train sounds into mine. I will have a movie without dubbing after i get my BLI Paragon (QSI sound) BNSF SD40-2 6332
BNSF5608 4 years ago
Cool! I look forward to seeing them!
pwhite73 4 years ago
What the digitrax sound in the Kato? I totally agree, i have it in my BNSF AC44.
BNSF5608 4 years ago
Yeah, I heard a lot of bad talk about that sound decoder after I got mine, but I really like it a lot! It has a ton of functions, a unique horn that matches the AC4400, and it is pretty compact and easy to fit into most modern diesels! Do you have any vids of your loco with that sound decoder in it?
pwhite73 4 years ago
Due to thier "over price" my 25 share of stock have went up
TASCO26 4 years ago
UP sucks because of their poor upkeep and over priced shipping!
Derailedtrain666 4 years ago
yea;) cant wait though...take care buddy!
can I have ANY one of your units;)???
BRIANamtrak 4 years ago
dude, LIGHTLY do 5714
BRIANamtrak 4 years ago
Absolutely, gotta keep the flag units clean!
pwhite73 4 years ago
sorry but UP sucks
Derailedtrain666 4 years ago
Why is that?
pwhite73 4 years ago
out of these. 5714...its really popular, sound is the best though!
BRIANamtrak 4 years ago
Yeah, that's my favorite too especially since I put so much time into it. It's a Kato AC4400 with a Digitrax SDH104K-1 sound decoder in it. He's not the heaviest loco to be able to pull a large train with, but he looks great leading a consist.
I am going to weather all of these loco's (except the SD60M because he's already weathered) this weekend and shoot some new footage of them weathered, should look cool.
pwhite73 4 years ago
I want 1 of your models!
BRIANamtrak 4 years ago
Oh yeah, which one is your favorite?
pwhite73 4 years ago
I want your club's layout! Or at least to run some of my trains on it! =)
pwhite73 4 years ago
kick assssssssssssss
BRIANamtrak 4 years ago
yea
BRIANamtrak 4 years ago
The Centennial in the background has a working one though!
pwhite73 4 years ago
I also noticed the SD60 has a beacon
BRIANamtrak 4 years ago
Yeah, I just will probably never hook it up. The speaker for the sound is glued to the roof directly underneath that so drilling to put in a light would be tough to say the least.
pwhite73 4 years ago
nice vid having track probloms
Stephenson18 4 years ago
No, just power pick-up in the SD60M. All the others are going just fine and even for the track being atlas snap-trak, the layout overall runs great!
pwhite73 4 years ago
I love the "fudge" out of ou sound...lol you know how to do the 2 long, short, long rule...kick ass...
now only if you had a better layout! you have so many trains on that tiny thing!
BRIANamtrak 4 years ago
Yeah, I wish I still had our old club layout! 30'x18' is a little more suting for all these trains. In fact, that's why we have soooo many. When the club closed we got the layout and a bunch of trains (granted all of the loco's in this vid are mine).
pwhite73 4 years ago