Doth mine eyes deceive me, or is it the case that on Kato's ACe, the trucks don't sit level? It seems to me that the end of the trucks nearest the fuel tank (both front and rear) is raised slightly higher than the other end. Here's a photo to show what I'm talking about: Notice how the wheel nearest the fuel tank is clearly more visible than the front wheel? And the same, although less obvious in this photo, is true of the rear truck. And it isn't just true of this particular model. Every single one I've seen is like that (including the one I once owned). Here are some more pics: The last picture shows it as clear as daylight.
I agree, it also affects the new SD70M's. I haven't had the inclination to see *why* it's happening, or how to fix it, but it's definitely on my list. And it is annoying.
It doesn't appear to be an issue with the truck mechanism as a whole, correct? All of the wheels appear to rest solidly on the rails. Rather, it seems that the gray plastic outer frame is simply not level with the test of the truck mechanism. As if the plastic has been twisted slightly so that the truck "appears" to ride higher toward the center when, in fact, the wheels are level.
Give me a break. As if taking 5 minutes to write a forum post is such a huge diversion from doing those better things.
The odd thing is that it only occurs on the engines with the newer sprung trucks. The trucks on all my older Kato models sit perfectly level.
I consider myself something of a Kato fan-boy, but I have yet to appreciate any benefits of this new truck design, while I do notice the negative side effects. (In addition to the above, I also have an ACe where the truck is so loose, it just falls out of the frame). The slope is especially noticeable on my upper deck, where my track is close to eye level, and it looks pretty Micky Mouse. If I find an easy fix, I'll post it. I'm thinking a carefully placed pin somewhere would prevent it. -gfh
I have ten SD70ACe locos and I have no issues with any of them whatsoever. Its just the design of the truck it has no effect on the locos operations. Its just cosmetic.
I never claimed that this causes any operational issues, only that it looks weird to me, to the point of being (as Gary Hinshaw put it) annoying. Besides, given that this is model railroading, cosmetic issues aren't necessarily trivial, nor is operation all that matters. Rapido couplers work fantastically well, after all. They're simply cosmetically heinous and cry out to heaven for something better. While the ACe trucks aren't as bad as that, they do (I think) warrant some attention.
What's funny is that I've NEVER noticed this before. and from now on that's all I'm going to look at...
I have three Kato ACEs; one has a tilted front truck, another has one tilted rear truck, and the third doesn't have this issue at all. So it's not a consistent flaw.
It looks like the prototype SD70ACes have the same effect. http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2631346
I don't have the guts to do that kind of surgery on my engines, but from what I could see from the outside, the wheel axles are held in place by the spring pressure of separate copper contact strips. I wonder if they may me slightly misaligned.
Everyone knows I aint no rivet counter...BUT...by the pics Chris posted...even I would have issues with the 'looks' on those loco motives. JMHO.
They look like the Kato ones to me. I think the "slope" is an optical illusion on both, it's just easier to see on the prototype that it is an illusion, but then again I have no SD70ACe to compare.
Three comments: 1) I'm surprised none of you have realized that the real problem isn't the trucks, it is the underframe detail. If you don't believe me, take the shell off, take the trucks out (pry with little screwdriver in the tiny slots in frame, if you don't know), and look at how the underframe detail curves upwards towards the ends. 2) It appears that the drive shafts are bit too long, and this pushes the front of the truck downwards. However I only notice this when I lift the loco off the track. Sitting on the track I don't see it, although if the trailing truck picks a switch or frog, that may explain why. 3) It's barely noticeable to me at all, and I can't really see it in the pictures above. Maybe the brake cylinders and piping are also causing some optical illusions for some of you.
