I have three Kato SD40-2 locomotives, one in BN green and two in ATSF blue and yellow. Each will go round any radius of Kato Unitrack without problem, on its own. When I have it pulling a freight, however, it causes the leading freight car to derail on the 248mm radius (9 3/4inch). My other locomotives, some Atlas and some Kato, don't have this problem. They will all pull round the 248. If I have the SD40 pulling round the next radius up, it's fine. Does anyone know, please, of a suitable alteration I could do or have done to the SD40? If I go to a larger radius to replace the 248, then I need a bigger board, and I haven't the space! Regards, Pete Davies
try extending the coupler on the rear of one SD40 long hood or or nose or front, whichever suits your running preferences. Try a new long extension coupler from Kato.
You don't tell what axle arangement you other locos have or what brand and coupler style is being used. Most 4 axle units will run on the smaller radius without derailing the car trailing the loco. I you have longer shank Kato couplers or longer shank MT couplers you will probably have better luck running your train thru the smaller radius track. Try using a longer shanked coupler and see if that solves the problem. John
If you are using MicroTrains couplers (#1015) then the coupler shank is too short. You should use the longer shank (#1016). That solved it for me. have fun Michael
Thank you, gents. They are all fitted with MT couplings. I don't know the number offhand, as a friend has done them for me, but I THINK it's the 1015. John (tpwillie) I have a mixture of 4 and 6 axle locomotives. It's only the SD40 that has the problem. I'll see about having the present device changed to the 1016 . . . Regards, Pete
Hi Pete. Yes I did fit 1015s, but I hadn't seen your tight radii then! I will change them for you next week to 1016s no problem. Cheers, Bob.
