With all the GE releases coming up are the ES44AC and AC4400 steerable trucks a match or is there a noticeable difference? dave t.
As far as I know Kato doesn't have a steerable truck in N-scale (yet). I recall seeing a steerable truck conversion kit made by another manufacturer to put under an Kato AC4400CW (EDIT: found it -> http://www.steve4painting.com/shop.html ). This is also the reason why I asked about this here (post #13) -> http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=114892
I know that Kato doesn't have a steerable truck and the steve4painting ones I have seen. They require a little bit of work! I was thinking FVM extra parts? steerable trucks? They did say there will eventually be extra parts? I was thinking of a AC4400CW(kato) with maybe a FVM steerable truck in say Ferromex? It was just a thought! Entiende! dave t.
N EMD SD70M Norfolk Southern #2596 Introduced in 1992, EMD's SD70M was a 4000 horsepower locomotive that ran on EMD's new steerable truck design, known as the HTCR-II radial truck.... according to this kato does have a steerable truck (or there idea of one)
A steerable truck on a locomotive is one which the two outer axles on the truck will "turn", like the front axle on a kid's little red wagon, to keep the axle parallel to the rails. This reduces rail and wheel wear and improves tractive effort.
Um...no. As clearly mentioned in the original post, we're talking about GE steerable trucks, not EMD steerable trucks. Kato has not done a GE steerable truck, even though they released some models (e.g. CP AC4400CW referenced above) that should have had them.
CP AC4400CW were bought with both type of trucks. Kato model the ones with the GE HiAd truck. Same with CSX. CP also did this when they bought there ES44AC, from the road number choosen by FVM and Kato they both should come with the steerable truck. And yes they are the same basic truck as the AC44. Here is a picture of both type of trucks. 301 has the steerable truck and 91 has the HiAd truck. The steerable truck is the Steve4 kit and the Hiad is the standard Kato early Hiad truck
They do not steer but they are modeled after the steerable thrucks that are on the SD70mac, SD80mac and 90macs.. I think it would be near impossable to make a real steerable truck in N Scale.. The real question is WHY??? It would make no sense at all.. The trucks that GE use on their units are different than the EMD.. Todd Treaster, NY,S&A
Anybody try to put FVM steerable truck sideframe on a Kato AC4400? Close? Nofit? Thanks for all info! dave t
I have not tried this, but I'm willing to wager that Kato will come out with their own steerable truck model soon. Their CSX and CP GEVO drawings show them, and they just announced a new release of CP AC4400's in the number series that has steerables, so all the signs are there. -Gary
I only made an effort to look at the bottom of a FVM Gevo FXE and a Kato AC4400. Although they look pretty close side by side, there is more cutouts on the Kato truck sideframe for the gears. I wonder if I could change out the whole truck and gear assembly straight across? Anybody have the same interest in this? dave t
