As the subject states,does U30c trucks fit onto/into a C30-7?Is anone twigging yet? Just got off Kato USA web site,they have on special C30-7 'kits'.Body shell ( undec.),mech.,but no trucks for $30 US. Looking in parts (under U30c) from what I can tell,the U30 trucks will fit.Was thinking of buying U30 trucks in parts & fitting these to the C30-7.Can anyone give feed back on this please?
Yes, the trucks will interchange. The U30C truck still had the coupler box that you will need to trim to use on a C30.
Where in parts did you see the U30C trucks listed? I just went and looked again after reading this post and I didn't find them. I have been looking for these type of trucks for awhile now. Bob
Bob , Sorry havent been here for awhile,go to Parts Cat. then on left hand side,scroll down till you come to N Parts by Model,then click U30C. Can you tell me if I'm reading this right,they will make up a complete U30C ?truck
Jason, I went again and looked and all I see that could be construed as trucks would be the 3 axle gear case. I don't know what you get with this, there is no picture, but I don't think it would come with the sideframes. I have used the Kato parts pages plenty of times and I haven't seen these trucks available for probably more than 2 years. Bob
Jason, I bought three of these C30-7's sans trucks, too and am looking for the trucks as well (or the sideframes - see below). Steven, the older Atlas/Kato SD7/9 truck can be used at a pinch. The axle spacing is the same and of course the sideframe is different. The truck's pivot point is so close that it doesn't matter here. I just swapped out a set of trucks on a C30-7 with those from an Atlas/Kato SD7 (not the Classic release) and the only thing that needs modification on the C30-7 chassis is the removal of the small tabs that sit above the truck's wheel wiper tab - these stop the chassis' pick-up strip contacting the truck's (the SD's wheel wiper tab is shorter than the C30-7's). The newer alternative to the SD7/9 truck is the SD35 truck. The brake calipers do hit the tank, though, and will need to be trimmed. It has the same sideframe part number (17724) as the Atlas/Kato SD7/9, fits the C30-7 chassis, costs $4.75, and is available according to the Atlas site. Now, IF Kato re-releases the trucks and their components, and you have substituted the SD7/9/35 trucks for the interim, then the C-30-7's truck sideframes can be used on the SD trucks with no problems - I just did the swap. That will save having to buy the Kato trucks complete. Note the same deal with the pick-up tabs as above, though. Hope this sets the cat amongst the pigeons!
Hi Gary,Thank aheap for that ,I really didnt think of the side frames till Bob mentioned it,was late at night when I ordered & more worried about getting the right gears etc .You know when you get that niggling feeling you forgot something..??thanks for that Bob. I bought two 'kits' along with the gear tower ,gears & geared axels,I wonder if just the Atlas side frames & pickups will fit ??prolly not . I intend to paint mine in SP,what about yours Gary?Again thanks for the info,just what I was looking for.... Jason. P.S.might go buy some more now that little problem solved.lol.
You're welcome, Jason! Good question re the pick-ups. The difference just looking at them side on is the height of the tab that contacts the pick-up strips along the chassis. The C30-7's is a bit higher hence the comment in my earlier post. Did you get the Kato gearbox, gears, and wheelsets? The wheelsets from the early Atlas/Kato locos are the same as those used in Kato's offerings of the time so they are a straight swap but I'm not sure of the gears without pulling them out and counting the teeth. I imagine they are the same. The difference would be in the later SD35 trucks, if any since these are of Chinese origin. The Atlas/Kato SD7/9 sideframes will fit the Kato C30-7/U30C gearboxes and I would assume the wheel wiper/pick-ups will as well. Mine will be in BN, though I may consider one in ATSF for pool coal power. Would look nice with a mess of the Trainworx 4-bay hoppers! Where in Sydney are you?
It's a shame that Kato doesn't have any parts available for this model, trucks anyway. All I am looking for are the sideframes for my CSX C44's. CSX ordered their C44's with trucks similar to the C30-7 ones. The trucks aren't interchangeable, but the sideframes are. I've got one done and 9 to go. Bob
Gary, I recieved my order today,just tried a late model SD 35 truck set's & 'hey presto' it works just like you said about early version Atlas/Kato SD trucks.Only problem is that the 'long' GE fuel tank hits the truck brake hangers,which I think you did mention! Yes I did buy the whole gear set-drama, I will try just a Atlas side frame & pickups later on. Looks like I got aheap of spare Kato gear's now lol.Will now order couple sets of Atlas SD trucks now. I will be painting both -7's in SP,with my order I got two -9 undec. body shells as well which they too will go under the grimy gray & last week end I purchased two s/h SD50's & they too will go the grimy gray but with UP patches. I live in the Fairfield/Liverpool area Gary,if you in Sydney sometime give me a cooee & we'll go down to Sydney N & have a run..!!!Thanks again for all your help. -Bob sorry can't be of any help,although what about the Minitrix U28 or U30??? they made.Think I saw them somewhere on special,or someone posted a Q about them here in Trainboard I think.I have e-mailed Kato about spares etc for various loco's.Will post when & if I get a reply....
M-T Pilot fills for the U30C are available for $7.77 from here: http://www.standardhobby.com/ See: 9-11-03 Liquidation pdf file
