Kato: SD40-2 ReRuns Coming!

[Scottl]

Thanks, this must be something new, I have not seen it before.

[GaryHinshaw]

I suppose I should go to trainboard and wade through the flotsam, but what "tilt" issue?  I have one of these Kato units and it is just fine.  Is this a mechanical (sounds like it) or a rivet counting issue?

It's a design issue with the sprung trucks.  Here are some pictures, and here is my take on the problem (without pictures).  It's not a big deal, but it's completely unnecessary.  There is some slop in how the axle bearing cups are tied to the truck side-frame which plays into the spring design. If you got a bad unit, it can look pretty dorky.

[Scottl]

Thanks Gary, I appreciate it!  Great explanation.

[jagged ben]

That would be great. I could never understand why they changed the mechanism for the mid production unit. The original mechanism ran great.

A legitimate reason for the new mech was to add ditchlights for more recent units.  The light pipes pass through the area of the front screw and worm, so that called for some major changes.

However that doesn't really explain the flimsier truck, sprung middle axle, or why they used the same design approach for the SD70ACe.

[lock4244]

The N scale crews prefer the smoother ride. Operating on our tracks isn't comfortable on rigid suspensions 

I always figured Kato was attempting to improve pick up on sh*tty track with the sprung axles. Maybe they just got bored one day after throwing darts at the road name chart they use for planning upcoming releases? ATSF, BNSF, UP. Thats gotta be boring.

[lock4244]

I imagine the process is similar that this... except with far fewer choices on the board. One wonders how PanAm or WSOR got on there? Must have been some sort of wildcard based on 'what wouldn't Ed want?'.

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Sorry... I can never seem to embed anything from youtube for some reason.

[peteski]

The N scale crews prefer the smoother ride. Operating on our tracks isn't comfortable on rigid suspensions 

I always figured Kato was attempting to improve pick up on sh*tty track with the sprung axles.

That was also my take on the new sprung center axle design.  The gears also have much finer teeth and IIRC, the gear tower is lower then the old design.  Ingenious design but IMO, these are a mixed blessing. They run like fine Swiss Japanese watches and pull as son-of-a-bitches, but if even a tiny piece of debris gets into the gears (they are exposed on the bottom of the truck), that causes a major headache!

[oakcreekco]

Yep, I held off for quite a while buying any of the new style SD40-2's because of the truck design.

When I finally bought a few, one was running "tilted", and had to check it out, get everything adjusted just right, and now no problems at all.

It is a mixed blessing in a way. Great runners, look very nice, but the trucks are/can be an issue with debree compared to the "old" style.

They are more "fragile" so to speak, compared to the old Kato standard, and the gears are amazingly small, but once checked/adjusted, they are gems.

I've noticed that these trucks can become disengaged from the frame during shipping, or rough handling, and that's the biggest problem that causes these issues.

[flight2000]

Just saw that Kato has added the SD40-2 Early in Undecorated to their website:

http://www.katousa.com/N/SD40-2/index.html

Brian

[Puddington]

176-4830
Shipping March 2013 N EMD SD40-2 Early (with DB) Undecorated Model
Pre-order only/Limited Availability: Contact your local hobby store to make reservations! $115

Do I hear the sound of phone dialing, keys typing and bank accounts draining.......? 

[wcfn100]

I wonder if the '-2' project will have undecs. 


Jason

[Puddington]

Make fun of the - 2 Project all you want - I happen to have seen the latest press release on the project and it's got me really excited....



Now do you believe ? 

[Dave Schneider]

I wonder if the '-2' project will have undecs. 


Jason

That is similar to what I heard......

Best wishes, Dave

[Dave V]

Might be a good time for Ed to jump in and explain how he modified the trucks on his Kato SD40-2s to look like Flexcoils...

[lock4244]

176-4830
Shipping March 2013 N EMD SD40-2 Early (with DB) Undecorated Model
Pre-order only/Limited Availability: Contact your local hobby store to make reservations! $115

Do I hear the sound of phone dialing, keys typing and bank accounts draining.......? 

Damn right you heard rapid, desperate typing. I might be dead the next time they do undecs. Looking to get eight.

Bank account was drained long before...