I had purchased a Kato Thalys TGV at an estate sale since my wife liked it (we had ridden on one last July). Unfortunately it needs several replacement parts in order to run. A search of Kato's website and Ebay have not helped. I'm looking for, first, the diagram sheet that shows the assembly and part numbers of the trainset and, second, spare coupler "plates" that connect the intermediate cars. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
You could try placing an Ad in our Swap Meet. That forum area is especially designed for Sell/Trade/Want needs.
http://www.produktinfo.conrad.com/d...-N_KA_10TLG_TIEBZUG_TGV_NEW_THAL_de_en_fr.pdf http://www.produktinfo.conrad.com/d...l-N_KA_10TLG_TIEBZUG_TGV_NEW_THALYS_de_en.pdf
On those coupler plates, if they're like their older/first run orange TGVs you could probably get some made on Shapeways using the strong flexible plastic. Send me the measurements (and maybe a flatbed scan) and I can give it a go. If I remember right, they're a flat, simple design. -Mike
I know the couplers on some of the Kato sets are a bit delicate and they all seem to have different ones. Over the years I've broken couplers on two of my Japanese prototype trains and was also unable to find a source to buy replacements. I called Kato USA in Chicago and was told that they could order replacements for me but it would take awhile because those special orders are sent from Japan along with the regular (monthly, quarterly ?) orders of new product. They had me fax the parts sheet from the set with the parts I wanted circled. In both case I never heard back from them. Every few years my wife and I visit Tokyo and in both of these cases I was able to visit the Kato Store where I was easily able to buy the replacement parts, and some spares. Suggest you try calling Kato USA to see if you have any better luck with them. They do carry parts there for the American prototype product but not for any of the Japanese or European. Seems to me they should for the ones that have been distributed in the US.
Kato USA is currently taking orders for a pair of new TGV sets due out in mid-year. If the coupler parts used on those units are the same as on your Thalys version, you might be able to order them now for delivery at the same time as or somewhat after those new sets. www.katousa.com/cgi-bin/dl/dl.pl?dl.mif%2cN_EU-TGV-DuplexLyria.pdf
"spare coupler "plates" - If you mean the drawbars between cars I bought a set of them from this fellow several years ago to replace a broken one I had on my Sud Est TGV. What was nice was they were in various lengths so that you could connect the cars a little closer than the standard KATO drawbar. They looked to be handmade and were $10 US for a set of 3 in 3 sizes. Don't know if he is still supplying them or not. Here's his website in French: http://christophe.phulpin.pagesperso-orange.fr/FMR.htm And this was/is his email address info@fmrprod.net
