I have this same Locomotive but it is just DC. I weathered it to look like the prototype. I'm really happy I have this model. It runs amazingly well for me 😁👍
Nice! I'll have to pick one of these up in the future. I have a UP SD70M, yet it is in the older letter scheme and has flat radiators plus no notched nose.
Do you have any information on what model loksound decoder in inside? I have a csx sd70m with the flat radiator that is dcc ready i just dont know what decoder woukd work well with it sound wise and i dont have a computer to tweak a bunch of cvs at one time
This model is old enough that it likely has the last generation LokSound in it. LokSound has an N scale board replacement decoder specifically for Kato, the LokSound 5 Micro DCC for Kato. That would probably be your best choice for a Kato SD70M. With any sound decoder, you may still need to remove some material from the frame to make room for a speaker. Thanks for watching!
This locomotive is designed to be used with a DCC control system, which sends control signals through the track. Some DCC systems have handheld controllers that are wireless. There is no remote control that comes with the model. Thanks for watching!
The motor control CVs in DCC decoders can affect how smoothly the engine runs, too. I've had good results after spending some time tweaking those settings. Thanks for watching!
@@DanielCortopassi I was a little disappointed with how quiet the horn was on this one. I've found that I needed to bump up the horn to maximum just to get it to be louder than the prime mover on the units I have, Scaletrains D9 and Gevo. I also change the horns away from the prototype on my stuff too.
I did a couple of my own sound installs in two Atlas N diesels recently and the horns are pretty quiet because of the small speaker size. I usually turn down the prime mover noises in my sound equipped models, but leave the horns at full volume. Even with that, they're still quiet. I tell myself this is an accurate "scale volume" effect. LOL.
@@DanielCortopassi I actually turned up the prime mover on the Gevo cause it was too quiet compared to the D9, if I can't hear it running what's the point lol. I run it with the D9 and the two Atlas GP38 and an MP15, the last being the only one without sound. I wish Atlas would get around to making mp15's with sound sometime this decade. Problem is I got 7 of them I wish had sound.
If you had a choice between Kato and the Broadway Limited SD70ace's and judging them just on performance alone and not the fact that BLI comes with sound and a DCC, which of these models would you choose? Please believe that I am not asking you to make the choice for me as I have made indecision when they first came out and you had reviews them.
Catching up on comments... I would go with Kato. I don't really like BLI's Paragon sound. It's hard to beat the good running qualities and long term reliability of Kato. I have a number of Kato N SD70ACe models, including all the UP heritage units. I only have one BLI unit. Thanks for watching!
How much work is it to tweak the CV’s on the decoder to get rid of that jerkiness? Would it work to do a bigger point deduction for having to fix issues that have an involved and time consuming process?
It's usually a process of trial and error, so it really depends. If you hit on a CV combination that works, it might not take that long. Some engines take a while to tweak and find the optimal settings, though. Maybe tweaking this kind of performance would be a good subject for a future video. I'm not sure I want to take more points for this kind of thing, but I'll keep the idea in mind. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the response, Dan! I haven’t gotten into DCC but I am planning on it down the road. A video on tweaking CV’s would be a great learning tool!
I'm not sure who started using that term first, as most jewelry I've seen doesn't come in clear plastic boxes. It's common in the hobby press though. I'll have to think about whether or not to keep using it. I could just say the model comes in a clear plastic box. Thanks for pointing that out and for watching!
It is a little on the pricey side, though a lot of model train stuff is these days. Kato makes a good product, so it should last for years. Thanks for watching!
I have an easy fix for that, just shave the coupler pocket upwards towards the pilot, take off maybe 1 MM and Microtrains couplers will fit perfectly and will sit good with freight cars. NMRA standards apparently dont apply to manufacturers unfortunately
I have this same Locomotive but it is just DC. I weathered it to look like the prototype. I'm really happy I have this model. It runs amazingly well for me 😁👍
It's a nice model. Thanks for watching!
Nice! I'll have to pick one of these up in the future. I have a UP SD70M, yet it is in the older letter scheme and has flat radiators plus no notched nose.
I really like Kato N scale locomotives. The SD70Ms look really cool. Thanks for watching!
Great review Dan, with a little details added like grab irons and wind wipers it will look great
Yes, the model would benefit from some added detail. Thanks for watching!
Nice review Dan.
Thanks for watching!
Do you have any information on what model loksound decoder in inside? I have a csx sd70m with the flat radiator that is dcc ready i just dont know what decoder woukd work well with it sound wise and i dont have a computer to tweak a bunch of cvs at one time
This model is old enough that it likely has the last generation LokSound in it. LokSound has an N scale board replacement decoder specifically for Kato, the LokSound 5 Micro DCC for Kato. That would probably be your best choice for a Kato SD70M. With any sound decoder, you may still need to remove some material from the frame to make room for a speaker. Thanks for watching!
new to trains--is this run by remote
This locomotive is designed to be used with a DCC control system, which sends control signals through the track. Some DCC systems have handheld controllers that are wireless. There is no remote control that comes with the model. Thanks for watching!
Sometimes Katos need to be broken in before they run smoothly, I experienced that with their SD70ace
The motor control CVs in DCC decoders can affect how smoothly the engine runs, too. I've had good results after spending some time tweaking those settings. Thanks for watching!
@@DanielCortopassi I was a little disappointed with how quiet the horn was on this one. I've found that I needed to bump up the horn to maximum just to get it to be louder than the prime mover on the units I have, Scaletrains D9 and Gevo. I also change the horns away from the prototype on my stuff too.
I did a couple of my own sound installs in two Atlas N diesels recently and the horns are pretty quiet because of the small speaker size. I usually turn down the prime mover noises in my sound equipped models, but leave the horns at full volume. Even with that, they're still quiet. I tell myself this is an accurate "scale volume" effect. LOL.
@@DanielCortopassi I actually turned up the prime mover on the Gevo cause it was too quiet compared to the D9, if I can't hear it running what's the point lol. I run it with the D9 and the two Atlas GP38 and an MP15, the last being the only one without sound. I wish Atlas would get around to making mp15's with sound sometime this decade. Problem is I got 7 of them I wish had sound.
Great review
Thanks for watching!
If you had a choice between Kato and the Broadway Limited SD70ace's and judging them just on performance alone and not the fact that BLI comes with sound and a DCC, which of these models would you choose? Please believe that I am not asking you to make the choice for me as I have made indecision when they first came out and you had reviews them.
He did reviews of Kato and Broadway limited, Kato won, I personally recommend Kato. I have 4 of their SD70ACE locomotives and they are very nice.
Catching up on comments... I would go with Kato. I don't really like BLI's Paragon sound. It's hard to beat the good running qualities and long term reliability of Kato. I have a number of Kato N SD70ACe models, including all the UP heritage units. I only have one BLI unit. Thanks for watching!
How much work is it to tweak the CV’s on the decoder to get rid of that jerkiness? Would it work to do a bigger point deduction for having to fix issues that have an involved and time consuming process?
It's usually a process of trial and error, so it really depends. If you hit on a CV combination that works, it might not take that long. Some engines take a while to tweak and find the optimal settings, though. Maybe tweaking this kind of performance would be a good subject for a future video. I'm not sure I want to take more points for this kind of thing, but I'll keep the idea in mind. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the response, Dan! I haven’t gotten into DCC but I am planning on it down the road. A video on tweaking CV’s would be a great learning tool!
Nice Engine
Thanks for watching!
I know this sounds dumb but why is the case called a jewel case
I'm not sure who started using that term first, as most jewelry I've seen doesn't come in clear plastic boxes. It's common in the hobby press though. I'll have to think about whether or not to keep using it. I could just say the model comes in a clear plastic box. Thanks for pointing that out and for watching!
The term 'jewel case' actually started all the way back in 1982 when the company Philips released its first compact disc.
That is very expensive for an N Scale diesel. I purchased an HO Scale AC6000CW with DCC, Smoke, and Sound for about the same price as this!
It is a little on the pricey side, though a lot of model train stuff is these days. Kato makes a good product, so it should last for years. Thanks for watching!
You pay because of the size, it is much harder to put those electronics into an N scale Loco than it is for an HO loco. 👍👍.
@@MARKLINMAN1 yep
tsk tsk.. When can KATO get their couplers at the correct height...
It would be nice. It seems to be the most common issue with most model trains. Thanks for watching!
I have an easy fix for that, just shave the coupler pocket upwards towards the pilot, take off maybe 1 MM and Microtrains couplers will fit perfectly and will sit good with freight cars. NMRA standards apparently dont apply to manufacturers unfortunately