I have a number of Kato C44-9w's, most of which have a smooth, quiet and slow speed to them. Until recently, I had only one (from the first run) that ran WAAAAY faster than all the others (did I say WAAAAAAAY faster?). Now, I have another from the very latest run that is the same way. They're both a bit louder too. No chance either of these can be MUed to any other C44-9W in my fleet (I'm non-DCC) and both will only run with my original-run atlas SD60's (also rocket sleds). Anyone else have one of these units? It's hard to believe there can be that much of a difference with the same loco. Incidentally, both were aution purchases. I suppose there's a chance that someone swapped-out the motor with something else (if something would even fit), but I doubt it. Russ
Russ, I have seem similar running chacteristics, but mine were all brought brand new way back in the middle nineties. I too am DC and have some DC44's (proably 15) that range in speed from slow to moderate, to ludicrous speed. The speed can vary again if you change the direction as well. I can speed match some of them with SD60's as well. Some of the speed characteristcs noted above can change as the engines get warmed up, as I'm sure your aware. But these are nothing compated to first release of the U30c's, those things can acheive ligth speed within seconds.
No joke... add a little heavier lube to everything that moves inside... motor, trucks, bearings, worms. A half-arsed fix, but a fix none-the-less
Atlas, Kato and the new Life LIke motor all share the same motor dimensions. The differences is the, flywheels, motor wipers, and armature shaft length. I would just purchase a new motor and hope it matches the rest of your locos.
