Kato N Scale SD70Ace issues

[QRNational4101]

Hi All, I have a few Kato N scale SD70Ace locos and have been having a few dramas. Today I hooked 50 coal hoppers behind 2 and ran them up the 2% grade that leads out of my staging yard. At present the track extends for 5 metres to where it stops as I am still building bench work. I was surprised that these 2 units got half way then stalled. So I threw a third SD70Ace on the rear of the train [which was still on the flat of the yard] to try and shove it. This got the train a further 10 wagons up the hill, and stalled again. By this point I panicked that I had stuffed up somewhere in my planning. I checked the grade again to be sure, then to be sure I put 3 Atlas B40-8s on the same train. To my relief they hauled the string of hoppers like it was flat track. On close inspection the middle axle on each truck of the SD70Ace units seems to sit lower than the outside two, and my guess is this is the issue, reduced traction. Is this a known problem, and if so how can it be resolved. Cheers, Anthony.

[Burlington Northern #24]

when they sit funny are they on a level surface? did they turn off completely when they stall? 

I have a number of kato locos 2 with trucks similar to the Ace's I have an SD90 and SD70Mac, these locos are able to pull long trains one alone could probably take a 40-50 car train on it's own(on level ground).

[Lake]

My suggestion is to remove the trucks and take them apart, clean the gears and wheels well if you have not already done this.

Make sure you do not push the trucks to far into the frame when reinstalling. They will bind and one end of the truck will ride up.

[ROY SMITH]

Yesterday I received a new Kato N-scale SD70ACe with a Digitrax DN163K1C decoder installed, and it's giving me fits. When I took it out of its box, the front wheel set fell out. I put it back in and set it on the track. When I turned on the power, the loco was completely dead even though there was power in the track. So as suggested on the Internet, I pushed a small piece of styrofoam under the front end of the decoder. When I put it back on the track, it was receiving power. But it wouldn't move in either forward or reverse until I turned the speed way up and gave it a little nudge. It just sits there, motor grinding away but not moving. I'm wondering if it's a decoder problem, or a problem with the wheel set that falls out unless I put my hand under it, or something else. This is my first DCC locomotive and it hasn't been a good experience so far. I use Kato track and an NCE Power Cab.

Roy

[Big Ant]

I too have had many problems with the kato sd70ace, as have a number of my friends. A number of my aces have ceased up. Even after stripping them and rebuilding, they often go fine for a while but cease up again. I think there is a design fault. It's a pity for kato because their sd40-2 chassis is one of the most reliable on the market.

Sometimes the issue is not the gears but something as simple as the fuel tank not being pushed home. It's worth a try.Good luck.

ant.

 

[EMD.Don]

This is disconcerting to read. My Son operates N Scale and has a number of Kato N Scale locomotives. His AC4400's, SD80's, and Santa Fe F3A and F3B all run fantastically and have been hassle free and reliable. He opetates DC mind you if that makes any difference. But he was looking at Kato's Illinois Terminal and Jersey Central Norfolk Southern Heritage SD70Ace units as a future purchase. Perhaps he may want to rethink that. Good info folks.

[cacole]

Something that may be worth checking -- due to the length of these models, the fuel tank may be dragging on the rail if there are even the slightest dips in your trackwork.  Examine the bottom of the fuel tank and see if there are any tell-tale marks indicating that it has been touching the railhead.

 

 

[GDRMCo]

The only model Kato makes that shares the bogies with the Kato ACe is their most recent runs of SD70Ms, everything other than the 'mid production' SD40-2, F40PH and MP36PH has the normal mech with normal bogies everyone knows and loves. Kato came out with this new 'sprung' mechanism around 2008-2009 that is meant to perform better over all sorts of track than the older designs, it doesn't really appear to be the case. I've got a pair of ACes and the fix for the middle axle sitting lower is to bend up the brass contacts that hold the middle axle slightly up. just bend it enough to get the middle axle the same level as the outside axles.

They perform well but it's a hassle....

(Before anyone brings up the 'mid production' SD40-2s that also have the same mechanism, the bogies are different in that a HTCR is not a HTC)

[Jmax]

If your friends or you have any spare trucks for a sd70ace (preferably silver), I'd happily buy or trade something for it. Seems they are sold out everywhere.   Puts you in the good spot of supply/demand.  =)