Kato Boxes and Engines

Bought a HO Kato SD90/43MAC a couple of weeks ago. It's brand new so the details are not glued it. I was admiring it for a couple of minutes and noticed that if i have installed the details, i wont be able to store in the original box with foam anymore. Is this some kinda design flaw with the box or they just discourage you to store it back? Did they just assume once the loco is placed on a layout, it will be there forever? I really find this ridiculous. I know this happended to my Bachmann HO loco, but didnt expect it with Kato.
 

BillW

New Member
I assembled my friends CEFX sd90 about a year ago and I can tell you that there are no problems storing the detailed locomotive in the original box. As long as it is orientated the correct direction, and you take care in removing and placing it back, the box will keep the fine plastic details perfectly safe. This happens to be one of my favourite engines due to the attention to design by Kato. It is also an extremely powerful engine. It did not show a bit of difficulty in pulling a 50 car doublestack train around my tight curving layout.

You also mentioned gluing the parts to the shell but I like to just insert the parts minus the adhesive. Kato designed them so that they would remain in place with just a frictional fit. The only part I can recall gluing was the bell to the fuel tank. When you get to inserting the end handrails into to long handrail sections, widen the mating hole with a number 72 drill. From the factory, they are just too tight to slip into place.

-Bill
 
Interesting, i didnt know glue is not needed, guess there is no harm in trying now to check if it goes in the box or not.

You are absolutely right, never seen any engine like this before by any manufacturer.

Thanks for the reply and tips, Billw.
 
Yup, I have one too (been a dream for soooo long, now it's a reality...YAY). I didn't even have to glue the bell on!

FYI, it goes between the deckplate piece and the main body. You have to take the entire shell off, then use pliers to fit it into place while holding the deckplate up a bit.
 
Too late, but it sure took me atleast 10 minutes figuring out where the bell goes. What i thought would take me 2 hours to do, expanded to 5 hours! I made a couple of mistakes, but lucky there are extras included. Unfortunately mine didn't come with the horns and snow plow. Kato's website indicates that this items have been sold out, sigh.

Bill was right too, one of the holes is too small for the handrails to go in. Unfortunately i dont have a 72 drill bit.

It sure was interesting to install the details parts, and it does fit the box!
 

jbaakko

Active Member
I've glued ALL the parts to my Dash 9's, as I don't want them to fall out when I transport them! Both of my kits came with a metal thingy, to press open the holes, I only used a drill when I wanted to place holes where there weren't any (I'm doing an accurate detailing).
 

BillW

New Member
Glad to hear you've basically got it all together. I've obviously been luckier as I've never had any missing parts with the Kato products I've assembled or bought. Perhaps the plow and horn got lost in transit or fell off by people inspecting it at the hobby shop.

I don't know about Kato's customer service, I wonder if it would be worth sending them an email. Maybe they'd be willing to help. Or you could always buy an appropriate horn and plow at the hobby store and brush them gray yourself. It's nicer when everything is just in the box.
 

jbaakko

Active Member
You know, speaking of missing parts, I have 5 Kato engines now, and I've NEVER gotten a horn in any of the boxes!?
 
Top