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trying to convert a kato emdf7 coupler to magnetic and I accidentally broke one of the plastic tabs that lock in the end of the coupler. Its an older model (15 years) and I cannot find the truck assembly on the Kato website for a replacement and I cannot think of any other way to fix this. Anyone have that older style truck or another solution?
thanks
Guessing this is N-scale since you state Kato, but a picture might be worthwhile.
Thanks for your reply! Yes its a Kato, sorry I did not mention that. As you can see by the photos I accidentally cut off one of the plastic brackets
Gomez Addams
Staff member
You'll need to watch Fleabay for either a complete engine or replacement trucks. Those trucks are for the first-gen F unit, and haven't been available for a very long time.
A not-so-cheap but possibly better option is to find a complete F unit and swap the entire frame and running gear. The newer mechanisms are much smoother and quieter.
fleabay, that site has more misdirects than our govt! Not sure its worth spending too much as I will probably go dcc by the end of the year. was hoping to just get things running now. I have some other kato units that are working so I will run those and bite the bullet later this year for the dcc upgrade. I appreciate your coming back to me on this however.
Gomez Addams
Staff member
fleabay, that site has more misdirects than our govt! Not sure its worth spending too much as I will probably go dcc by the end of the year. was hoping to just get things running now. I have some other kato units that are working so I will run those and bite the bullet later this year for the dcc upgrade. I appreciate your coming back to me on this however.
Newer low-friction drives in the F units are also DCC ready.
Just a thought how similar is the front truck? And does part with the broken couple connection come off the truck so that you could just swap out that piece from the front truck.
Gomez Addams
Staff member
Just a thought how similar is the front truck? And does part with the broken couple connection come off the truck so that you could just swap out that piece from the front truck.
They are not really interchangeable. The front truck is the same, but does not have the coupler mount.
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