Passenger Car Drum Heads

[peteski]

Looks good, but I agree that not many will probably attempt this (especially since you have to get the parts from a car which is not available individually).

I also noticed that you retrofitted MTL couplers into the Kato trucks. I should do that too, because I find the Kato couplers unreliable.  They look good but don't work well.

[randgust]

It's not clearly visible, but I only put an MT on the back because I have the Kato business car that can be tacked on to the end of the train as part of my operating scheme.  That has to be uncoupled and dropped, hence the MT.

So, you can add this door and some parts to the master list of Kato parts really useful in many places that you just can't buy.

2-8-2 tender trucks
Kato NW2 offset gearbox assembly
Drumhead door, insert, glass, and red fiber optic...

and probably lots more of your own picking.

[peteski]

It's not clearly visible, but I only put an MT on the back because I have the Kato business car that can be tacked on to the end of the train as part of my operating scheme.  That has to be uncoupled and dropped, hence the MT.

So, you can add this door and some parts to the master list of Kato parts really useful in many places that you just can't buy.

2-8-2 tender trucks
Kato NW2 offset gearbox assembly
Drumhead door, insert, glass, and red fiber optic...

and probably lots more of your own picking.

Sure, but I'm still grateful that Kato gives as many spare parts as they do - try to get parts from Walthers.   

As far as the offset gearbox goes, I would never expect Kato selling that item separately. It really is an integral part of the motor assembly. One of the gears is trapped between the motor frame and the flywheel.  Plus, those gears unfortunately have a tendency of slipping on their shafts.

But if you want, I would be game for couple NW2 motors without the gears. We could split the cost.   But this is getting really OT. 

[randgust]

OK, parts came in from Kato, swap made, it works... this project is DONE.