GS-4 drivers are now in stock at Kato

EspeeGoldenState Aug 28, 2014

  1. EspeeGoldenState

    EspeeGoldenState TrainBoard Member

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    From their Twitter:
    https://twitter.com/KatoUSAInc/status/505084749208354816

    A new run of GS-4 drivers are now in stock at Kato USA's parts store!
    http://www.katousa.com/parts-catalog/information.html

    Orders a new set for my GS4 as a I have a bent tube, as well as a spare set since they haven't been in stock for years it seems.

    They also have 3 Labor Day Parts Special cars, one for the California Zephyr, one for the Super Chief, and one for the El Capitan.

    CB&Q "Silver Penthouse" - Observation/Tail car from the California Zephyr
    http://www.katousa.com/Zcart/index....d=1494&zenid=68d113e2d4f9180e28a754623caba805

    Santa Fe #531 Step Down Coach from the El Capitan
    http://www.katousa.com/Zcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=148&products_id=1492

    Santa Fe "Vista Valley" -
    Super Chief Observation Kit

    http://www.katousa.com/Zcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=148&products_id=1493

    Chris
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 28, 2014
  2. glennac

    glennac TrainBoard Member

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    Except for traction tires or a stripped gear, why would these need to be replaced? I have a very nice unit I bought used last year. Should I be concerned? Are there potential issues looming?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  3. EspeeGoldenState

    EspeeGoldenState TrainBoard Member

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    From another board, but I have the cracking on my GS4.
     
  4. woodone

    woodone TrainBoard Member

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    Sure glad Espee posted this information. I have a GS4 that has the geared driver broken and the drivers out of quarter.
    Been waiting for about 6 months to see them. Keep checking Kato and saw no drivers. Well I went on a vacation for a week and did not check the Kato site, guess what, while I was away the drivers showed up at Kato.
    Might have missed the chance to get replacement it I had not see his post. Got a spare set just in case.
     
  5. woodone

    woodone TrainBoard Member

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    If you get a set of drivers I would recommend that you get a set of pins too.
    These things are small and if you loose one you can't put the side rods back on. Part # X02-1085, only a $1.00 for 2, might get more than you need for spares.
    BTW these pins are a PITA to install.
     
  6. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the heads up. I was able to get replacement drivers for all my non-working, out of quarter GS-4's
     
  7. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hi woodone,

    The part # you listed is for two crank pins. My concern would be pins for the other drivers and I do not see any listed, unless they are part of the "driver set" that is shown as sold out. Any suggestions?

    Carl
     
  8. woodone

    woodone TrainBoard Member

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    A heads up on doing this driver replacement.
    Push the pins into the drivers first (once) before you try to get the side rods on. Makes it a lot easier to do. Also on the 3rd axle, (from the front) hookup the two side rods before you do the 4th. axle If you put the side rods on the 4th axle first, it makes it real hard to handle with four parts moving about, plus having to try inserting the pin.
    You will have to make a special set of tweezers for the pins too. They will fly into never to be found again land.
     
  9. woodone

    woodone TrainBoard Member

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    Carl, the pins are all the same, except the crank pin which goes on the 2nd driver. The only thing you get from Kato is the drivers, NO PINS.
     
  10. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    woodone,

    I understand that. I have a set of new drivers but the crankpin is the part # you referenced to. The other pins are not on KATO's parts list unless they are included in the "driver set" which shows to be out of stock. So what does a person do for the pins for the other three drivers?
    Carl
     
  11. woodone

    woodone TrainBoard Member

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    Carl, The small pins are all the same. The crank pin is the eccentric that operates the valve gear.
    There are 6 small pins. 2 on the front axle, 2 more on the third axle and 2 more on the fourth axle.
    The eccentric crank pin goes on the second axle and also holds the main drive connection rod.
     
  12. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Woody,

    I am very aware of what you keep saying but you are not answering my question. According to the KATO website the only item in stock is the crankpin (2 per package) and that is the part # you mentioned in an earlier post.

    So, I'll ask again, which one of the stock numbers has the "small pins" required for the three other drivers. The only possibility I see is the "driver set" which is out of stock.

    It would be wise to wait until KATO has those in stock ? ? ?

    Carl
     
  13. mg_thomastx

    mg_thomastx TrainBoard Member

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    The crankpin (2 per package) are the pins for the 3 other drivers. I just got my order today of wheels and extra crankpins. The pin for the main driver I believe comes in in the
    valve gear assembly set. I

    Mark Thomas


     
  14. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Mark & Jerry,

    I was wrong in my previous postings when I said the pins must be in the driver set that shows to be out of stock. The driver sets are new and are still available. The "small pins" are the ones labeled crankpins? I thought crankpins were on the eccentric cranks? So, I guess I am wrong again. So I can get however many crankpins that I think I might use but still can not get the #2 driver pin? That does a lot of good. Still will have to wait for the #2 driver pin to be available. My luck would be to send one into space attempting to remove it or break it, with no replacement available. Whoopee! What good does a new set of drivers do if we can't get all the required items?

    Sorry for all of my postings I did not understand, there will be no more.

    Carl
     
  15. mg_thomastx

    mg_thomastx TrainBoard Member

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    The pin on the #2 driver is attached to the valve gear. It's quite large compared to the other 3 drivers' pins. I don't think you'll be launching that one into space.
    As for the other pins I found a nut driver that the pins fit in just right and I can use the driver to start them seating into the drivers and then push them in the rest of the
    way.

    Mark
     
  16. woodone

    woodone TrainBoard Member

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    Mark, do you recall what size nut driver you used? And who may have made it?
     
  17. mg_thomastx

    mg_thomastx TrainBoard Member

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    I'll dig around and check. I just remember I was getting frustrated trying to seat the things without having them fly off. It may have been one that had come with
    a brass steamer like a Hallmark. I mainly remember it being a lucky find because it sure made life easier as far as seating those pins.

    Mark
     
  18. mg_thomastx

    mg_thomastx TrainBoard Member

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    I have had a chance to check. What I had was a tool that was supplied with a Hallmark Light pacific. Can't find any dimensions on it but it was just big enough to to hold the pin head. The pin stuck out just enough to get it started in the driver. Checking on the valve assembly package, it had the rods, the main crank pin with eccentric, and the cylinders with valve guides. Mark
     

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