Kato 4-6-4 early version

[TVRR]

Hi, Can anyone explain to me what it is that makes the units with plastic running gear more desirable than those with metal ones? I have metal rod one remotored by Victor Miranda that runs wonderfully with great low speed. Addition of an all wheel tender didn't hurt either. I guess I'm really asking about the running gear metal vs plastic, what's wrong with metal?

[nickelplate759]

I think the primary differences were the motor itself, and the fact that out of the box the 1st-generation models (with the metal side rods) did not have tender pickup at all.  Sounds like adding all-wheel tender pickup helps a lot!

[learmoia]

Are you thinking Kato vs Rail Barron Hudsons?

The true Kato 1st Gen Hudson have a tender with a metal underframe and no tender pickup..  But tend to have motor failures (they are 52 years old..)

The mid-production Kato Hudsons are the bullet proof models.. (I think they have plastic rods..) 

Rail Barrons are hit and miss because I think the drivers tend to come loose from the axle..

~Ian

[ncbqguy]

The first run of China built Con Cor Hudson’s had engineering plastic driver centers.  Not a good idea because they interlocked with the engineering plastic gears, or rather didn’t....to keep the drivers in gauge.   This caused a failure in the loco before the stripped electrical wire insulation instead of rubber tubing for the universal slipped.
I believe second run (fancy paint schemes and shrouded versions) had these deficiencies corrected. Apart from the useless flywheel the “new’ version had increased diameter drivers, tender wires through the trailing track drawbar, headlight and backup tender lights. 
Still the best, most foolproof design steam engine in any scale!!
Charlie Vlk

[TVRR]

Learmoia, this is the first run with no electrical contact to tender and no traction tires. It suffered motor failure finally and was rescued by Victor Miranda with a new motor from a B'mann 2-8-0. It ran so well that I went whole hog and installed DCC, a forward light, and an all wheel pickup tender. It has been sent back to work.