Tiny Discovery Re: Kato C44-9W Mechanism

[ljudice]

This may not be news to anyone, but it is useful to know...  Kato changed the C44-9W mechanism
around the time the AC4400CW's came out and although you can put the newer mechanism under
an older shell there is one problem - the trucks are too tight when you add the original fuel tank.
(The new fuel tank does not fit with the underframe detail part which was not a part of the original
loco.

Anyway, I notice there are two tabs pointing up into the frame on the NEW fuel tank. I duplicated this
with two small tabs of styrene and pressure inserted them into the frame where they are located
on the tank and presto - instant perfect operation of OLD SHELL, OLD TRUCKS, OLD FUEL tank and
new frame. 

- Lou

[u18b]

Hi Lou.

The change in mechanism is due to the addition of "underframe".

The new mechanism is the same under:
C44-9W late
SD70MAC
AC4400
GEVO

All of these now use that thin plastic underframe.

There are at least three trucks represented in those mechanisms.  Swappability is helpful for kitbashing.

[ljudice]

Ron - forgot to mention that! 

The thing is that a lot of people are on the hunt for the old mechanism, but the new one can be used with the addition of the tabs....

- Lou

[Robbman]

Hi Lou.

The change in mechanism is due to the addition of "underframe".

The new mechanism is the same under:
C44-9W late
SD70MAC
AC4400
GEVO

All of these now use that thin plastic underframe.

There are at least three trucks represented in those mechanisms.  Swappability is helpful for kitbashing.

Two different fuel tanks as well...

[u18b]

I wasn't thinking of tanks, Robbman.

But actually, there would be about three- maybe more.

AC4400 has 2 tanks (early and late).
And of course the EMD SD70MAC another.  That's three.

I can't remember about the others.  I think the GEVO uses the late AC4400 tank- and I don't own a late C44-9W.  Probably uses the early AC4400 tank.

[ljudice]

Exactly - take a look at the new ones - they have the tabs that space out the bottom of the new mechanism and stop the trucks from binding.

It's a pretty strange design if you ask me.

- Lou

[u18b]

One of the ways all this swappability is helpful is that on my "one day" list is a kitbash of a AC6000 for CSX.

They were delivered with smaller trucks like are on the C44-9W, most AC4400s (and some Kato GEVOs had them), but they were later changed out to the big stearable trucks in use today which are mostly found on Kato's GEVO-- although I they just started placing them on some AC4400s (Canadian Pacific).