Layout #2, Video#26 - Unboxing the long-awaited Kato Big Boy with factory DCC and sound

This is our 67th video documenting our exploration of the model railroading hobby. It is the 26th video for our second (N Scale) layout. In this video, we unbox the new Kato Big Boy with factory DCC and sound. We also compare it to the Athearn Genesis Big Boy and the Broadway Limited Imports Big Boy.

Kato took a long time getting the DCC and sound version out. The analog version was delivered on time last summer, but it is reported that there were problems with the DCC and sound installation procedure, so it finally arrived this month. As I expected, it is a well made model. Kato went all out for this model, including making a matching SD70M diesel with the number 4015. This is a model of the exact SD70M that accompanied the Big Boy on the excursion tour they did the year that Kato was researching the train (2021).

The Kato is built for modelers to run and use. It looks good, but is not quite as detailed as the Athearn or BLI version. The default DCC address is set by the factory to 4014 instead of the normal 03 most new locomotives come with. This makes it convenient and ready for most modelers to use with no changes to the programming. I like to set my throttles to limit the locomotives to realistic speeds, and I will have to increase the default volume a little bit. Other than my preferences for those tweaks, it is ready to run (and yes, I know you can just run it at a partial throttle to keep it realistic).

And it is one heck of a running train. It is very smooth and pulls better than most locomotives I have. We tested it with a load of 32 coal cars up a 2% grade. It circled the layout with absolutely no problems from that. In short my son made, it pulls all the Kato rolling stock we have, a total of 59 freight cars. I am amazed at the pulling power it has, much as I am amazed at the prototype's power and size.