Help make History! I am writing a PhD dissertation (well, it sure seems that way) on EVERYTHING you could possibly want to know about Kumata locomotives. Especially how to get them to run (most don't) and even run well most of the time!!!! At present my article is approaching 30 pages. And I plan to release it FREELY to the internet universe in the future as a free PDF on my website. It may/will be the single most comprehensive source of information for N scale Kumata locomotives- at least that's what I'm shooting for. It will be too massive to publish in a magazine- and it's a niche group of readers anyway. I could publish this as a cheap e-book, but I do not feel right about making a little money when I'm asking people to help me. And I do need help. I only own three KMT locos and I need more. I could make educated guesses based on experience- but nothing compares to the real thing in your hands. A few locos share the same drive train. For example, I own an RS-2 so I don't think I need an RS-1 and RS-3 (unless someone wants to send me some just to photograph- which I would appreciate). I also own a B&O EA set which is pretty similar to the other Es- but actually, there are some differences! Also, while the RS-2 is pretty limited in running quality, I bet I could get a 6-axle RSC-2 or RSD-4/5 to run pretty well. So here is what I have and therefore do NOT need. RS-2 Trainmaster B&O EA/EB. But I would LOVE to borrow any other Kumata loco on the following list below if you would share it with me. Obviously, I would prefer an unmodified loco. If it has already be remotored or changed, that is less helpful. What I will get out of all this- -a lot of work -complete exhaustive and accurate hands-on information. -good photography of what I want to show. -maybe some new ideas, thanks to you. What you will get: -I offer to pay the shipping. That could even get expensive if I have a lot of people help, but it will be worth it. -I will even offer to improve your loco if you want- for free. Send me a typical non-running Kumata and I can probably get it running as long as the motor is not actually burned up. -My thanks and a by-line of everybody who helped me at the end of the article. -Comfort in the thought that you helped other people like yourself with what WAS a disappointing shelf queen. Mark Spookshow and Loren Perry have already been a help. -Some day- maybe- your Kumata locos will be worth MORE because of all this. First, since yours will run! And maybe with time auction prices may go up as more people who had given up on these start buying them. Here is what I would love to borrow (remember- all Kumata/Japan, not Samhongsa/Korea): EMD SD40-2, Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) Alco RSC-2 (or 3? Not sure), Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) Alco RSD-4/5, Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) Baldwin DR-12-8-3000 Centipede, Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) CMSt.P&P EP-2 Bi-Polar, NJ Custom Brass/Kumata (Japan) EMD E3/6A & E3/6B, Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) EMD E5A & E5B, Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) EMD E1A & E1B (Super Chief), Oriental Ltd/Kumata (Japan) New Haven Washboard MU, NJ Intl/Kumata (Japan) PRR Electrics, NJ Intl/Kumata (Japan) Budd Silverliner, NJ Intl/Kumata (Japan) What about Spookshow? Well, I would not have even done this if it were not for him- and he has my thanks within the first three paragraphs! But this work far exceeds the more succinct work he's doing. This really will be a small book by the time it's finished. Further, I've been in contact with him already and his curiosity is piqued! He's even bought more Kumata brass as a result of our exchanges! LOL AND.... I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I'm sending him all of my modified Kumata locomotives so he can see what a HUGE difference can be made in these otherwise poor locomotives. When I got them, NONE ran more than 2 feet. Now they can run continuously for hours. I'm curious to see how he rates them now? If you would like to help, use my email... the big heap at gmail dot com Take out all the spaces and run those three words together. If you want, I can even email you my cell phone if you have specific concerns you want to talk about. You could private message me too, but that might take a bit more time. And one last note. I'm fully aware that some of these are really expensive. I promise to be as careful as possible, and I know this is a BIG ASK. But look at it this way. Send me your beautiful (but expensive) piece of crap Centipede that does not even pull its own weight- if it even runs at all, and I fully expect to send you a RUNNING loco that can pull some cars. Hey! Instead of it being worth 800-1100 dollars, maybe it will be worth 1500 by the time I get finished with it!!! LOL. So Send me your Kumata crap! And check back in a few days (at least by next weekend). I should have a video of how mine runs so you can see for yourself. Thank you for reading this. I appreciate your time. And sorry for posting on two boards- just trying to reach as many as possible. Ron Bearden u18b.com
I'm so very thankful for the people who have stepped up to help. At present, I have three lined up. A fourth is a possibility, but it has been remotored with DCC. What I have coming my way: Baldwin DR-12-8-3000 Centipede, Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) CMSt.P&P EP-2 Bi-Polar, NJ Custom Brass/Kumata (Japan) New Haven Washboard MU, NJ Intl/Kumata (Japan) What I would still love to borrow if people want to help out. EMD SD40-2, Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) Alco RSC-2 (or 3? Not sure), Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) Alco RSD-4/5, Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) EMD E3/6A & E3/6B, Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) EMD E5A & E5B, Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) EMD E1A & E1B (Super Chief), Oriental Ltd/Kumata (Japan) PRR Electrics, NJ Intl/Kumata (Japan) Budd Silverliner, NJ Intl/Kumata (Japan)
yeah, you probably got rid of them because they were only shelf queens and didn't run or run well at all. You may cry longingly when I'm finished with my project though. :crying:
Apparently the centipedes are salvageable if you're willing to expend the effort. This guy remotored and regeared these - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zo78ma5STw&feature=youtu.be -Mark
If you want to see some of my results..... I posted a KMT video on my YouTube channel. You can see it on my website http://u18b.com/train-vids/ or on my YouTube page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tnp0axqlQ It is about 5 minute long and features three locos. ALL locos in this video did not run more than 2 feet before stopping when I got them. Now they run continuously for hours.
I have always admired your work, Ron. Was going to forward you my New Haven Washboard, but since you already have one coming, I will be satisfied to wait until your project is finished and take advantage of the information you will proffer. You may cause a run on Kumata brass on eBay!
That guy is the Marc Starmann in Netherlands. He and his brother build some amazing steam locos. They built the Pennsy Atlantic that pulls 100+ cars. From what I have seen over on the Railwire, the mechanism is completely scratch built.
I want to really thank Bob Bufkin for loaning me his Baldwin Centipede. It looks NOTHING like other Kumata locomotives I have see so far- so having one in my hands was invaluable. My article is at 39 pages now. I should be getting an EP-2 and a NH Washboard very soon- both expensive and the NH is pretty rare (I promise to be careful!). If anybody else can help, check the list to see what I can use. Bob's Centipede now runs- (it didn't do much of anything before), and can pull 15-18 50' cars on level track-- or some passenger cars. It is not as good as I would have liked, but it is no longer a shelf queen.
I'm so thankful for all the help I've gotten. I really appreciate all the folks who are helping me. Here is a list of items I still have questions about. Alco RSD-4/5, Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) EMD E3/6 A & B, Hallmark/Kumata (Japan) EMD E1A & E1B (Super Chief), Oriental Ltd/Kumata (Japan) New Haven Washboard Add-on cars (just the add-on cars) PRR Electrics, NJ Intl/Kumata (Japan) (there are about 5 all total) Budd Silverliner, NJ Intl/Kumata (Japan) If anyone has anything on that list, I would sure like to talk with you. Thank you! Ron BTW- at last typing session, I was over 60 pages and have so much more to do.
