Comparison of N 4-8-8-4 Class 4000 'Big Boy' UP models


Manufacturer	Athearn	Broadway Limited Imports	Kato
Year model introduced	2008	2022	2023
DCC Capability	DCC fitted, with sound	DCC fitted, with sound	DCC compatible. PCB swap required
Detailing
Bodyshell - factory-fitted separate details
Bell	Yes	No	Yes
Bodyside Steps	No	No	Yes
Boiler supports	Yes	No	No
Chimney	Yes	No	Yes
Coal rails	Yes	No	Yes
Company branding	Yes	No	Yes
Cylindrical vents	No	No	Yes
Dome	No	No	Yes
Drain cocks	Yes	No	Yes
Handrails	Yes	No	Yes
Headlamp	Yes	No	Yes
Injector	Yes	No	No
Injector pipework	Yes	No	No
Lamp irons	No	No	Yes
Lubricator mechanism	No	No	Yes
Numberplates - plastic - pre-fitted	Yes	No	Yes
Pipe work	Yes	No	Yes
Regulator linkage	No	No	Yes
Release valve	No	No	Yes
Reverser	Yes	No	Yes
Roof hatch	No	No	Yes
Safety valve	Yes	No	Yes
Shed plates - etched	No	No	Yes
Smoke deflectors	Yes	No	No
Tail lamp	Yes	No	No
Tender ladder	Yes	No	Yes
Walking platforms	Yes	No	Yes
Whistle	Yes	No	Yes

Chassis/underframe detail
Air tank	Yes	No	No
Brake rigging chassis	No	No	Yes
Correct-thickness "stamped" rods	Yes	No	Yes
Fluted connecting rods with oily finish	Yes	No	Yes
Footsteps	Yes	No	Yes
Framework	No	No	Yes
Handbrake wheel/ lever	Yes	No	No
Inside valve gear	No	No	Yes
Inside valve gear (cosmetic)	Yes	No	No
Lubricator mechanism	No	No	Yes
No visible gap between front-bogie & frames	Yes	No	No
Pipework	Yes	No	Yes
Sanding gear	No	No	Yes
Sprung front bogie	Yes	No	No

Cab, footplate & interior detail
Detailed & painted	Yes	No	Yes
Glazing	Yes	No	Yes

Tender
Has easy-to-use coupling to loco	No	No	Yes
Has enclosure for speaker	No	No	Yes
Houses digital decoder	Yes	No	Yes
Houses PCB	Yes	No	Yes
Permanently coupled to locomotive	Yes	No	No

Wheel "aesthetics"
Chemically-blackened	Yes	No	Yes
Metal-pin point bearings	Yes	No	Yes
Painted	Yes	No	No

Bufferbeam detail (pre-fitted)
Cowcatchers	No	No	Yes
Lifeguard	Yes	No	No
Pipework - pre-fitted to front	No	No	Yes
Pipework - pre-fitted to rear	No	No	Yes

Mechanical
Body Construction	Plastic with metal parts	No	Plastic with metal parts
Chassis construction	Heavy diecast	No	Heavy diecast
Loco-driven wheels (number of)	16 wheels	No	16 wheels
Minimum radius	Radius 3	No	Radius 2
Coupling socket/mounting
NEM pockets	No	No	Yes
Non-NEM socket	Yes	No	No

Coupling type	Knuckle Coupling	No	N gauge Knuckle buckeye
Weighting (to assist adhesion)
Within boiler	No	No	Yes
Within chassis	Yes	No	Yes
Within tender	No	No	Yes

Separating the body from the chassis	Secured with one or more screws	No	Secured with one or more screws
Electrical
Motor type	5-pole with two flywheels	No	2 x Coreless motors with flywheels
Motor location	Locomotive	No	Locomotive
Power collection	2 rail DC	No	2 rail DC
Working lights
Directional headlights (no tail lights)	Yes	No	No
Headlamps	No	No	Yes
Headlights (independent)	Yes	No	No
Tail lights (independent)	Yes	No	No

Pickups	Driving wheels and tender wheels	No	Driving wheels and tender wheels
DCC speaker	Pre-fitted	No	Provision for a speaker (dimensions unknown)
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