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Putting together a Kato HO Scale Locomotive

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  • Member since
    August 2013
  • From: Minnesota
  • 153 posts
Putting together a Kato HO Scale Locomotive
Posted by SooLine720 on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 8:10 AM

If you were wondering how to put together a Kato locomotive, here's some tips that will get the job done faster. Before doing all of this, you should lubricate the engine a little if it is new, Kato engines tend to be underlubricated, but  check to make sure it isn't already lubricated.

  • Put on all the grab irons. Be careful not to mix the left and right ones up, otherwise you'll probably break them. Using hobby pliers will help you significantly.
  • Install the truck detail.
  • Install the numberboards. Make sure not to get them upside-down.
  • Install the windshield wipers. They were a pain for me, (I had the SD38-2) and you should use small tweezers. 
  • Install the coupler lift bar, make sure you don't put it on upside-down.
  • Install the MU-hoses. Painting the ends with a silver sharpie will make the hoses stand out.
  • Install the Snowplow.
  • Install the horn.
  • Lastly, install all of the handrails and you're done!

Hope That Helped

-Khang Lu, University of Minnesota Railroad Club

  • Member since
    October 2011
  • 51 posts
Posted by BMR777 on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 9:37 AM

Great Work!  I have that same loco, I was able to get most of the details on it, but not as many as you.  I have huge hands so the tiny details are a bit hard, even with tweasers. :)

Long live the J!

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 1:51 PM

nice advice for any small modelBig Smile

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: Cresco, IA
  • 1,773 posts
Posted by ChadLRyan on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 12:02 AM

Excellent recommendations!!!

I added a little Weatering in-between & ended up with one similar to Your 'J'
Mine is harshed out...
Gotta Love those Katos!!!!

Chad L Ryan
  • Member since
    August 2013
  • From: Minnesota
  • 153 posts
Posted by SooLine720 on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 9:51 AM

Nice! I don't weather my locomotives because i want my engines to look new and clean.

-Khang Lu, University of Minnesota Railroad Club

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Chicago IL
  • 273 posts
Posted by bobwrght on Friday, August 30, 2013 3:21 PM

I test run them first and make sure they are lubed inside before  i install the parts

. Had one once that had noise from the body rubbing on the motor mount. I had to cut and sand the shell and mount so they were not so tight.

Never use tweezers, the parts fly across the room. Work over a white sheet so you can find parts that fly or are dropped.

Use a small amount of wax on the tip of your finger to hold the part untill it is in position. Paste wax works great.

  • Member since
    August 2013
  • From: Minnesota
  • 153 posts
Posted by SooLine720 on Friday, August 30, 2013 8:33 PM

Thanks for the suggestion! Tweezers did cause the windshield wipers (for my SD38-2) to fly everywhere, but it was the  smallest thing i had and my fingers wouldn't cut it.

-Khang Lu, University of Minnesota Railroad Club

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