Graham Farish To Kato wheel conversion

[andywsr]

 Hi all,
I'm sure those of you who use Kato Unitrak no.4 points and Y points are familiar with the derailing issues caused by the switch rail not sitting flush with the stock rail.

I have tried the method of modifying the stock rail, successful once and wrecked the point on the second.

As destroying points is expensive and a pain to rectify I am looking at converting my wagons to use Kato wheels.

I believe the derailing issue is caused by the flange profile on Non Kato wheels being slightly different than the Kato items.

I have found the Kato part number ( 11-600 ) and I'm going to try and source them and convert my existing rolling stock.

Has anyone tried this before?

Has anyone tried Atlas wheels as an alternative ?

I'm trying to source the Kato wheels at the moment.

Any comments or tips welcome.

[EtchedPixels]

Atlas should work, but its easier IMHO to replace the problem Poole ones with the equivalent Bachmann Farish wheelsets or similar. In particular you can then get the right axle length (15.7mm), pin point angle and wheel diameter.

Alan

[H]

I believe the derailing issue is caused by the flange profile on Non Kato wheels being slightly different than the Kato items.

Be careful - not all 'non-Kato wheels' have the same profile. I suspect you will find that the problem is associated with the old fashioned pizza-cutter flanged wheel-sets. Modern stock (produced this millennium) is all fitted with newer NMRA profile (RP25 or better) wheels which probably don't have the de-railing problem with Kato points. Therefore identify and change only the problem ones, and as EP says, if the newer wheels are okay, then fit those. They are cheap, plentiful and a simple, direct replacement so why bother with sourcing Kato ones.

H.

[andywsr]

All my stock is new, less than 12 months old mostly Farish and Peco RTR. It maybe a back to back issue, but as I don't have a gauge I can't check that.  I've now joined the N gauge society so I'll buy one of theirs when my membership comes through.

My initial plan has been derailed anyway due to Kato wheels not being available anywhere.

I'm going to replace all the plastic wheel sets with metal ones anyway purely as a maintenance thing, probably with Farish ones as they are readily available.

I noticed on e-bay there is someone local to me selling Kato bogies sets which are 3 pairs of 4wheel bogies for 12.99 not sure if they're the correct size though, or if they can be removed from the bogies.

[H]

All my stock is new, less than 12 months old mostly Farish and Peco RTR. It maybe a back to back issue, but as I don't have a gauge I can't check that.  I've now joined the N gauge society so I'll buy one of theirs when my membership comes through.

My initial plan has been derailed anyway due to Kato wheels not being available anywhere.

I'm going to replace all the plastic wheel sets with metal ones anyway purely as a maintenance thing, probably with Farish ones as they are readily available.

I noticed on e-bay there is someone local to me selling Kato bogies sets which are 3 pairs of 4wheel bogies for 12.99 not sure if they're the correct size though, or if they can be removed from the bogies.

The Farish and Dapol stuff is fitted with finer profile adjustable BtB wheels but Peco stock is old designed stuff with moulded wheels of dubiuos standard and being plastic one piece sets cannot be adjusted BtB - so it's a good idea to change them.

I wouldn't bother with the Kato wheels - TBH judging from the ones on my Kato stock they are not as good or as fine profile as the current RP25s.

H.

[EtchedPixels]

I run modern stock over Kato #4 points - no problems. It's only the old Poole wheels that hate them plus the couple of Dapol issues with bad wheels (1st batch hymek etc).

[andywsr]

I run modern stock over Kato #4 points - no problems. It's only the old Poole wheels that hate them plus the couple of Dapol issues with bad wheels (1st batch hymek etc).

yes I've got a Dapol Hymek, it's the new one and that derails aswell, my Farish 24 runs perfectly over them. So annoying, a layout must run properly to get enjoyment out of it, when it doesn't you wonder why you bothered sometimes. However I'm not gong to be beaten by it and will persevere with it. Just wish I'd stuck with no6 points instead. Too late now though!

[EtchedPixels]

That sounds odd to me - my hymeks are reliable over #4 points. The only one that wasn't was the very original release which can be easily identified because the wheels have *huge* flanges not modern wheels.

Alan

[andywsr]

My Hymek was a basket case from the start. It's been to Dcc Supplies for warranty repair already. The motor was overheating even hen only run for a short period. Doesn't overheat anymore but still my least favourite loco

[Lankyman]

I have just run a similar thread to this with conflicting advice from various sources. In the end I decided to change the wheels on the problem wagons with new Farish/Bachmann ones and now most of my rolling stock is running well with few derailments. The only problem I still have to deal with is the 2wheel pony trucks on steam engines which, apparently, is a whole subject on its own. I couldn't face the thought of replacing all my wheels with Kato ones.

Ron

[andywsr]

Ah, that's good to hear, I'm going to Mikron on Monday I'll pick up some then.

[davecttr]

i have some Dapol class 66's with different profile wheels on different axles and even axles with a different profile on each end ?. They tended to pick the points and ride up over the rail so i 'fettled' the points by by filing down the blades etc etc. Things are now better and as the #4 turnouts are tin the fiddle yard it is not to bad. the scenic bits have #6's and if i built again i would use them throughout.

[andywsr]

Dapol list replacement wheel sets on their website for the 66. I had one briefly but exchanged it for a Farish 24 as I wasn't happy with the way it ran. They are known for their running problems. I don't know if the Farish 66 old be better.