A Kato ACS-64 wheelset question

[chessie system fan]

Hi, folks!

For those of you who own a Kato ACS-64, the center of the wheel that's a lighter color than the wheel rim and flange... is that a separate piece?  It's hard to tell from photos if it's plastic or not.  I'm hoping it's removable.  I have an idea for the outer wheel rim if it is. 

[peteski]

Yes, that is a plastic insert pressed into the metal wheel. 

These are large wheels.  Tread  diameter is 0.291" (46.5") and flange diameter is 0.312"

[chessie system fan]

That's exactly the information I needed.  Thanks!  @spookshow , maybe you could update your review with this information?  The "bleached metal" comment appears to be incorrect.

[spookshow]

I guess the parts diagram confused me.

-Mark

[peteski]

I screwed up.
I thought you were asking about Siemens ALC-42 Charger diesel  loco. That is the one I have and gave info about.  I don't own the ACS-64.  However I suspect that the ALC-42 and ACS-64 are identical (both are modern locos made by Siemens).  But since Kato Parts Store does not have ALC-42 wheesets available for sale, I can't verify that.

[chessie system fan]

I think I got my Siemens locomotives mixed up too. But the trucks do look identical other than the length of the drive shaft.

[peteski]

I think I got my Siemens locomotives mixed up too. But the trucks do look identical other than the length of the drive shaft.

Well, since you probably just want to buy the wheelsets for some project, only the ACS-64 (the electric loco) wheelset is offered for sale. Looking at parts list for Siemens ALC-42 Charger diesel, the wheelsets are not available as spare part.  As I mentioned, I bet both locos use the same wheels.

[spookshow]

Well, now I'm really confused. Looking at my website, I never say anything about the wheels being "bleached metal". Where'd that come from?

Also, if the outer ring of the wheel is metal and the inner wheel detail is plastic, how could that possibly conduct electricity?

-Mark

[peteski]

Similar to what is often done in N scale steam engine drivers. The wheel is all metal in the back and the front part (or the spokes in steam engines) is simply a plastic insert which was either injection molded or simply snapped in.  Kato's Amfleet wheelsets use a similar design where the wheel center is simply snapped into the metal wheel.

As for the bleached metal comment I suspect Aaron was referring to the comment in http://spookshow.net/loco/katoalc42.html since we have been referring to both, ALC-42 and ACS-64. Specifically "The wheel faces are actually whitened, which is an interesting new feature for Kato."

[spookshow]

The parts diagram for the ALC-42 makes it very clear how the wheels are assembled. As for the ACS-64 diagram? Not so much. I can't even tell if they are the same design based on the two drawings -

https://katousa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/T17736-1ALC-42チャージャー_立体図.pdf
https://katousa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/N_parts_ACS-64立体図.pdf

As for my comment that the wheel faces are whitened, I don't see anything inaccurate about that.

-Mark

[peteski]

The parts diagram for the ALC-42 makes it very clear how the wheels are assembled. As for the ACS-64 diagram? Not so much. I can't even tell if they are the same design based on the two drawings -
As for my comment that the wheel faces are whitened, I don't see anything inaccurate about that.

Here are the wheelsets for both locos.  As I see it, both models use the same wheelset, just that the ACS-64 diagram does not show the wheel assembly fully exploded.

Also, if the outer ring of the wheel is metal and the inner wheel detail is plastic, how could that possibly conduct electricity?

The above diagram shows that just the wheel face is a plastic insert (and as we observe on the model, plastic insert's color is different than the metal part of the wheel).  Your description is not inaccurate - I never stated that it was. It just doesn't go into the minutia since you didn't actually closely examine the wheel or took it apart.

I'm not even sure what we are discussing anymore.

[Chris333]

Not sure what loco I used, but certain Kato diesel wheels have open centers. It is easy to 3D print new centers to change the wheel look.

[spookshow]

Your description is not inaccurate - I never stated that it was.

I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to the guy who @spookshow'd me to look at this thread and said that my web page was incorrect.

-Mark

[peteski]

I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to the guy who @spookshow'd me to look at this thread and said that my web page was incorrect.

-Mark

Okay.  When multiple members participate (or even don't directly participate) in a thread, it wasn't clear whom you were responding to.
If you want to be anally accurate in your review you could mention that the wheel faces are plastic inserts.

[brill27mcb]

I'm not even sure what we are discussing anymore.

Best Railwire quote that I've seen recently!