Found this in my misc train box. It runs really well, got a DCC decoder installed, responds well. The problem is the wheel sets are XL Pizza Cutters. Worked fine on the Kato UniTrak test track, but not on the code 55 layout. This is a 1988 version of the locomotive, are there any trucks that I can swap these out with that are Code 55 friendly? Or would the solution be a set of wheels from NWSL, and if so, would the geared wheels for the Arnold S2 work? Thanks!
David, I'm not aware of any small flange wheels for these. What I would do if it were me.... is just gently turn each wheel myself. Just put each wheel in a chuck in the motor tool and put a small file to it. I've done it several times. Probably would take half an hour for 8 wheels. I turned these down.
David, the fact that these wheel sets are "backwards" makes them hard to replace. All current wheel sets have a plastic tube and gear while the old Kato has a plastic shaft which a wheel slides over. Looked at every gear combination I had but the fact the pickup is thru the wheel there is nothing. Just like Ron said. Bob.
I never knew that the Kato RS1's had oversized flanges. Does that apply to all of the old Kato-made Atlas diesels? Thanks, -Mark
David, I also am confused by "oversized" flanges. I have both of the Atlas RS-1 manufacturing runs, the original Kato and the newer Chinese version, and neither wheel set appears to have oversized flanges. I'll admit I only run on Peco code 55, not Atlas or ME code 55, but I've never noticed flanges striking frogs which can be as high as the internal "spikes" of the Atlas or ME track.
Atlas does not list these older locomotives in their online parts inventory. So be careful with them.
This one from 1988 hits the ties on Peco C55 and ME Code 55. Mark aka Spookshow, the Early GP-30/35 Atlas/Kato locomotives do not have Code 55 issues.
I just checked Spookshow's writeup on the 1988 Kato/Atlas RS1 and he says it has low profile wheels and has no problem on C55 track. I think I have three of these from the 1988 design. I will check mine tomorrow.
David, Could there be some mistake? Are you sure it is a Kato RS-1? (sorry if that is a dumb question) I no longer have an RS-1, but it should have the same wheels as the RS3/RS11/RSD4/5/and U25B. I have an old RS-3 and it has no trouble on C55 MicroEngineering flex track.
David, I'm looking at the bottom of my Atlas Kato RS-1 (1988 version) and it is embossed with the following... - Bottom of Fuel Tank, within a rectangle: KATO (with five rail cross section profiles beneath) - Bottom of Fuel Tank, below the rectangle: MADE IN JAPAN. - Bottom of each truck: the numerals 17720, with JAPAN beneath. If your engine has the same, then it is an original Atlas RS-1 made by KATO, otherwise we need more information from you to help with your problem. As I, and others have said, the Atlas RS-1 made by KATO does not interfere with Peco Code 55 ties.
To the best of my knowledge and memory, the entire line of early Atlas/Kato diesels ran smoothly without episode on Code 55 track on my former club layout. Back then it was novel that any locomotive ran so smoothly on the C55 track, and the Katos were by far the best. I have all of the range of these diesel models and ran every one on the club track. I still have them and they all run effortlessly after all of these years. Now, if I see them at any swap meet, show, sale, I quickly gather them up and buy them because they were are are so versatile.
It is the 1998 Atlas locomotive made by Kato. I have not tried Code 55 ME track because this unit is being consigned for club use in the yard. I tested it on a couple of my NTrak modules that use Code 55 Peco and they do hit the ties.
David, the 1998 version is the Atlas Classic made in China, not by KATO in Japan which is the 1988 version. The ATLAS Classic RS-1 version is identified by the following... - Bottom of fuel tank has the Atlas logo with the word ATLAS inside an oval and MODEL RAILROAD CO., INC. in a rectangle below. - Bottom of fuel tank has the words MADE IN CHINA to the left of the Atlas logo. - There are no markings on the bottoms of the trucks, as there are with the KATO version that I described above. According to Spookshow there have been only these two RS-1 versions manufactured by Atlas. http://www.spookshow.net/loco/kators1.html Please tell us if your RS-1 has markings that are different from either of the two styles I've described, and we'll try to help you further.
That your 1988 RS-1 is striking PECO C55 ties is very strange. I use PECO C55 exclusively and just tested both of my versions, 1988 and 1998. Neither engine struck any of the ties. Is it possible that your club's track, or ties have been painted and/or ballasted? There are portions of my yard that I had painted, including the ties. I then had to take a dental tool and scrape the paint off the area just inside the rails because the flanges hit the paint. After the paint was scraped off, there was no problem.
Okay I got out my three RS1's. All are from the 1988 issue. I have PRR #9914 and #5906 as well as Southern 4412 which I repainted and is now PRR #8417. All have the big hole in the pilot for the truck mounted coupler swing and turning the jewel case over, all have "Made in Japan" printed in the lower left corner. Also listed on the bottom of the jewel box is #4409 GMO. On the bottom of the fuel tank I find the name Kato and "made in Japan". So I believe these are from the 1988 issue. All of mine have low profile flanges. One more thing, Atlas also had Kato do an RS11. That model came with one traction tired wheel on each truck. I noticed that the same part number was used for the nontraction tire equipped wheels for both the RS1 and the RS11. So I ordered four traction tired wheels to see if they would fit my RS1's and they did. I remembered it because the wheels did not come with the traction tires and I had to reorder them.
Sharkman is a pretty sharp guy and if he says that it's an RS-1 with pizza cutters, then I would just about guarantee that he is right. Maybe it's a very early one or one that just got higher profile wheels. It looks like the only option is to file them down (or maybe try to order a new set of trucks from Atlas).
Just checked my RS-1. Its a Kato and has no problem on Code 55. Its Amtrak 44 Part #4411 if that helps solves anything. Anyone have a decoder recommendation while we're at it?
http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Products/Decoders/N-Scale/ClassicN/CN-Series.htm -Mark
