After 10-12 years of running my Kato 4 axel unit has developed a problem. When I clean the wheels instead of getting the original shiny nickel silver finish I get a dull gold-copper look. Contact is also poor. It’s as if the nickel silver has worn off. Can this happen? Has anyone else had this problem. Where can I purchase new wheels. Thanks
After 10 to 12 years of running time. That’s a lot of Mileage. You would have to contact Kato by Phone. They have replaceable wheels for your Locomotive. Allan.
If Kato can’t help, See if Northwest Shortline has replacements. I never heard of any Kato wheels getting that worn. How do you clean your wheels? Maybe you are using something too abrasive. If it is normal wear and tear, this loco has really see some years of service. Kato drives are quite a quality piece, my Stewart Fs have seem 12 years of use with no trouble. Maybe I shold take a closer look at my wheels also.
Bob K.
Did you use the Kadee wire wheel cleaner on this loco?
Jim
Sounds like your wheels have worn down to the brass. Most wheels are nickle-plated brass, or just solid brass.
Kato should have replacements at www.katousa.com .[:D]
The part number is 962010 for most HO Kato locomotives.
On http://www.katousa.com/
click on the Part Department tab, then search for “wheels”
You can purchase on line.
the same has happened to my atlas geep. but I’ve bought it second hand, so I don’t know how far it’s come!(or gone!)
Thanks, everybody. I did use a metal wheel cleaner for a while. Maybe that started the wearing. I’ll order some new wheels. Again, thanks
If it was made in Austria (by Roco for Atlas) you can replacements from NWSL.
If it was made in Japan (by Kato for Atlas) you can replacements from Kato and maybe Atlas.
If it was made in China (for Atlas), you can replacements from Atlas.
I’ve used the Kadee wheel cleaner with the brass bristles with power leads but only on wheels that are really gunked up bad, otherwise i use medical type cuetips which are wound tighter than regular cuetips .As for solvent use any cheap paint thinner.Just be careful to wipe the excess off the tip on a paper towel before applying to the wheels,when finished use a clean dry cuetip to buff and remove any excess to aliviate wheel slipping. and of course this method is only for metal wheels not plastic or Delrine wheels.