Hello, a while back, I had a DCC sound install done in a Ho scale Kato NW2 loco.
Just out of curiosity, I opened up the split frame loco to verify the gear assembly because it was quite noisy and sluggish.
What I noticed is that both worm gear tensioners were missing, I cannot get in touch with the person who installed the DCC.
I searched the web for these replacement parts and they are no where to be found, I even contacted Kato and they do not carry them anymore.
Are these parts essential or vital to the worm gear assembly?
If yes, what is my solution?
I enclosed a photo to show you which part I'm talking about.
Thank you.
Serge
Serge,
I've not run my converted to HOn3 versions without them, but I suspect gheir absence is a likely contribution to your problems. These units run sweet and smoooth, or they should.
It is simply a bent piece of mettal that applies a little pressure. You ciuld try cutting some new ones out of phosphor-bronze sheet and bending them enough to apply tension.
The other alternative is to buy whole units off ebay and tear them down for the parts. They'd be most likely included on DC units as they came from Kato, because you have to tear it down completely to get to them as shown in your pic. This was done in your unit's case in order to isolate the motor for DCC operation. They just should have gone back in.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Oh, that stinks!
.
My Kato NW2 is one sweetly smooth running locomotive.
I agree with the previous reply, pretty much you will need to either fabricate the parts or buy a sacrificial unit.
I would go with option 2, that way if you find something else wrong you will have the parts to fix it.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Hello Mike and Kevin, thank you for your feedback regarding this problem.
I was also looking on eBay for a cheap NW2 loco for spare parts but we're looking at around $100 for a used NW2, so quite expensive for 2 little strips of brass.
So I think I will consider going with my option 2 which is cutting them out of a brass sheet. I have never worked with brass before so it will be a trial and error procedure.
Thank you and have a nice day.