KATO HO C44-9W DETAIL

[Kusojiji]

I bought this a long time ago and not too long ago, discovered that I had not installed anything on it. In fact, it still had the horn hook couplers.

So, decided to get it all together. Things to do:
1. grab irons
2. kadee couplers
3. tap the coupler holes for a screw instead of using that pin that is difficult to remove most of the time.
4. detail the cab
5. maybe put a driver dude in
6. add separate ditch light
7. dcc?

Started on the grab irons. Definitely had to chase the holes with a .5mm drill bit as these things would not go in. Still had problems even after drilling the holes, so had squish the rail end as some got flattened by the cutter.

After about 15 mikes, got my first hand rail in. I'll take good eye sight and manual dexterity over experience any day of the week!

In order to make this easier to handle, I ended taking the shell apart, especially to drill out the rails in the back of the cab.

When I ran into a loose fitting rail, I put a blob of white glue on the inside.

Finished up the tiny handrails, so am quitting for today. It's time to run some trains.

 

[migalyto]

Looks like fiddly work!

I was going to pick a couple of these up a few years ago when I switched from N to HO. Shortly after ScaleTrains came out with theirs and
I ended up buying all 6 of mine from them.

It will look great when done, and its a Kato, so it will run like a dream!

 

[Kusojiji]

Yep, was running that motor chassis around just now. It runs nicely.

 

[Kusojiji]

Got it finished finally. I saw the issue with the front deck rails.

Square pegs, round holes.

Rear deck had square holes.

I used some needle nose pliers and gently squished the square pegs. They fit nice and snug into the round holes.

While everything was apart, I insulated the ditch light runners with a single layer of tape for later on, if I go DCC.

Also tapped the coupler holes and installed the Kadees. Had to use the old box with the ears cut off as the nice square box wouldn't fit.

 

[Kusojiji]

Forgot to add that put a driver in. Dark gray uniform. I painted the seat and the control stand black.

 

[rgeiter]

On my two CSX dash 9’s, I used small light bulbs for the ditch lights. After a few hours running, I noticed that the incandescent bulbs melted the plastic around them. Oops. I was young then, the white LED weren’t around yet, and I hated and still hate the yellow LED Kato used for headlights.

 

[santafewillie]

It doesn't matter now, but are you sure that you didn't have the two handrails reversed to begin with???

 

[Kusojiji]

I did wonder about that but it wouldn't fit at all reversed. Both sets had the square pegs on the outer rails, but the spacing was different.