Hello, I have an older N Scale Kato SD45 that derailed to my concrete floor that I need to get some parts for. I have contacted Kato and am waiting for an answer, but was curious to see if anybody knew of a hobby shop that has Kato parts for older locomotives in stock. The parts that I need are the walkway/handrails and a truck assembly. Any information would be helpful. Thank you in advance. [ 31 October 2001: Message edited by: PF2488 ]</p>
Garth, The truck assembly may be hard to get. There is a guy named Kato Bob that does the show circuit - I'm certain someone here would know how to get hold of him. The walkways may be available from DK&B Hobbies in Hightstown NJ, 609 448 5070. I scored a set there in late September and am certain they had another. It cost $5 from memory. They definitely had a complete Conrail SD45 body for $35 (ouch!). Hope this helps. Gary.
Kato Bob has a web site:Bob's Trains He is based in Pensylvania and I have seen him at Train shows in the Northeast. He does not have many parts listed on his web site, but I'm sure he has a larger stock than is listed. Good luck finding what you need (besides a carpeted floor!) Russ
Try calling their order line (Kato) it is an 800 number. Or call their offices. http://www.katousa.com/html/parts.html I just checked Walthers web page and they have the handrails in stock, but not the trucks. [ 31 October 2001: Message edited by: sd9043mac ]</p>
My local hobby shop has the truck assembly(well they did a few weeks ago)If you want to try them the E mail is jdeeker@attcanada.ca good people.
Thank you everyone for the help. I am going to start calling and emailing people as soon as I get home this evening. I had talked with Charlie at Kato this morning. He said the truck assemblies have been sold out for quite some time, but they may be available again in about 6 months or so. A carpet is on my christmas list. I may have to spend the money and buy it before then though, to keep this from happening again. Again, thank you.
I guess that means Kato is planning a re-run of the SD45 "Generally speaking, parts for a specific model are supplied only at the time of model production. Parts are then restocked only at the time of a subsequent production of the same model or if the identical part is utilized on a different model" From the Kato USA parts page.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by sd9043mac: I guess that means Kato is planning a re-run of the SD45 <hr></blockquote> I would be more willing to bet they might be planning on rerunning the SD40, as they did in HO and the N scale SD40's are a lot harder to find than the SD45's. Both models use the same truck assembly.
If you go back a while there was a thred on replacing the trucks on a KATO SD-45 or SD-40 with easily obtained, (and CHEAP$$), Atlas SD-35 truck assemblies. It can be done as I did it on an SD-40. Brian
OK, here is the URL for the thread on Kato/Atlas trucks: http://www.trainboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=9&t=001153
Brian, Thanks for the information. In about eight days I will get the Atlas trucks and see what happens.