Kato locomotive wheels for replacement of Atlas loco wheels

[jcox3751]

All,

I read somewhere there is a direct replacement of the Atlas Loco wheels ( Dash 8 40's etc) with a Kato wheel set. I think Kato's stay cleaner longer.

I did a search here on Railwire and Trainboard and did not find any reference.

Thanks

Joe Cox

Austin, TX

[ryan_wilkerson]

Joe, I've replaced Atlas SD50, SD60 and C40-8 wheels with Kato part #932090.
I've done the same to Intermountain SD40T-2, SD45T-2 and SD45-2 (they share the truck with the Atlas SDs).
When I purchased them, they came as a set of 6 axles (list price is $10 on the package). It looks like they are now selling them in sets of 4.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Kato-N-Low-Profile-Geared-Wheelsets-p/kat-932090.htm

I purchased from http://www.lehightonhobbies.com/katnmiscinv.htm search the page for the part #.

I like the look of these but also that they get rid of the axle bounce.

I wonder what other locomotives they work on?

[JanesCustomTrain]

good idea, thank you

[u18b]

While most Atlas trucks are fine as-is, I discovered that the HT-C truck can often benefit from Kato axle replacements.

The gear is the same.
The wheel is about the same.

What is different is that the needle points are longer on the kato axles.
That helps in some trucks.

[jcox3751]

Thanks for the replies.

Joe

[ryan_wilkerson]

Joe,
Just another note that has been mentioned on other threads about replacing the wheels. The brass wipers are not symmetrical. If you put them on the wrong side, the truck will bind. When I do the replacement, I spread out the parts in the way they were removed so I know what goes where. Good luck!

[jcox3751]

All,

I was not clear enough. This question is directed toward Atlas 4 axle units. When I put Kato wheels as Ron indicated the pointed part is longer. These (Kato) will bind the trucks when the wheels are spaced correctly.

Does anyone know if Kato has a wheel that has the Atlas length? Many of my Atlas 4 axle units the wheels simply look like more brass than nickle silver (like Kato's) and do not stay as clean as long as Kato. Sorry for the miscommunication.

Help

Joe

[peteski]

AFAIK, Kato wheels are also made from brass. They probably just have more nickel silver plating on the surface, which lasts longer.