Choosing model locomotives & rolling stock can turn on three practical details: the railroad identity you want, the control format your setup uses, and how much the listed price matters. The MRC Lima C420 and Athearn SD40-2 are both HO, ready-to-go/pre-built locomotives, but their decoration and feature sets point to different buyers.
Quick verdict
Pick the MRC Lima C420 when the lower listed price, analog control, and light function are the priority. Pick the Athearn SD40-2 when the Kansas City Southern #678 identity and powered-diesel format matter more. At $52.31 versus $61.00, the price difference is $8.69, so the decision is mainly about which locomotive details fit your collection.
At a glance
| Model | Listed price | Format |
|---|---|---|
| MRC Lima C420 | $52.31 | HO; ready-to-go/pre-built |
| Athearn SD40-2 | $61.00 | HO; ready-to-go/pre-built |
Where each wins
- MRC Lima C420: Its L&N-Louisville and Nashville-#1301 identity gives it the clearer fit for a railroad-specific roster built around that name.
- Athearn SD40-2: The original Athearn "Trains in Miniature" blue box adds a concrete packaging detail for collectors who want the locomotive accompanied by its matching box, although the box has light shelf wear.
Product notes
MRC Lima PB108 ALCO C420, L&N #1301 DC
The MRC Lima PB108 ALCO C420, L&N #1301 DC is appealing when the ALCO C420 designation, gray finish, and light function are the details you want on the track. Its 1:87 scale, two-rail system, and analog control system give the locomotive a clearly defined operating format without requiring assembly, since it is ready to go/pre-built. The trade-off is that analog control is a specific limitation for anyone seeking a different control format. The locomotive is also described as used, so condition belongs in the buying decision. For a shopper drawn to a gray L&N-themed diesel with a light function, the MRC has a focused identity and a lower listed price than the Athearn.
Athearn Kansas City Southern SD40-2 Powered Diesel #678
The Athearn Kansas City Southern SD40-2 Powered Diesel #678 brings a more mechanically detailed presentation. Its white shell with red KCS lettering, metal handrails, roof-fan detail, and standard horn-hook/knuckle couplers give a collector several specific features to consider. The description also identifies a mechanical powered unit with six-axle drive trucks, while the road number keeps the decoration tied to KCS #678. The limitation is the documented condition: it carries a C-5 Good grade, and the original blue box has light shelf wear. That makes the package condition a consideration, even though the locomotive's decoration and included detailing are clear reasons to choose it over a simpler railroad-themed alternative.
Final choice by use case
- Choose the MRC Lima C420 for an L&N-focused roster or when the lower listed price is the deciding factor. Its analog control and light function reinforce that use case.
- Choose the Athearn SD40-2 for the white-and-red decoration, metal handrails, and road-specific styling. Those attributes make the $61.00 price the relevant trade-off for shoppers who prefer that presentation.
Neither choice covers the same collecting priority. The MRC is the more direct match for L&N identity and a lower outlay, while the Athearn is the better fit for shoppers who specifically want its KCS decoration and additional mechanical detailing.
