EF510 - which end is forward or does it matter?

[Kingmeow]

Sorry, OCD kicking in.  🤣

 

Which end is the front end of an EF510-0?  Or does it really matter?

 

I ask because I just installed a Digitrax DN163K4A decoder into a Kato N EF510-0.  During the install I noticed that there is an arrow molded on to the side of the metal frame and an arrow molded on to the underside of the shell.  When re-assembling I matched up the two arrows to point in the same direction.

 

But, after re-assembling and testing it seems Digitrax thinks forward is in the other direction of the arrows.  I'm *guessing* that Kato's arrows mean forward but it may be just a reference mark for assembly and not necessarily to mean forward.

 

Other than the slight difference of the rooftop accoutrements, each end looks the same.

 

So is there a forward end or it really doesn't matter?  I can easily modify the CV that controls direction but I have to know what is forward first.  🙂

[Kamome]

Not sure it really matters although there is an allocated cab 1 and cab 2 on locos. Could also be OCD but I always add a driver figure to cab 1 of my HO locos. Not certain whether the arrows indicated in Kato’s models point to Cab 1 but it is likely. Hopefully the detail is printed but it can be rather small. 

 

 

Here is cab 2 of the EF65

 

On the EF510 it’s printed in black on the trim under the cab side window

[Kingmeow]

Bingo!

 

I did see those numbers and letters you pointed to.  US locos there's usually an "F" indicating typical direction of travel so I was looking in that area on the sill.  I was thinking maybe there's something similar for Japanese locos but didn't know what to make of the ones I saw.

 

Looks like Kato's arrows point to Cab 1 and Digitrax's forward is Cab 2.  I'll switch directions by changing a CV.

 

OCD cured!  🤣

Edited February 7 by Kingmeow

[chadbag]

On 2/7/2025 at 7:31 AM, Kingmeow said:

OCD cured!  🤣

 

until the next time

[bc6]

I happened to have my Kato EF510 out and took a pic of it.