Help and Parts needed for KATO Eurostar

[robertlh]

I acquired a KATO Eurostar train from an estate.  I believe it is set 10-327 and 328 - Loco # 3201.  It has a few broken drawbars, a couple broken couplers and one missing truck set.

Where might I find replacement parts?

Also, instructions or help on how the "plate couplers" work on this series.  How do you uncouple the cars or couple them back up?  I looks like you have to spread the uprights of the truck assembly slightly and remove the car-to-car diaphragm, releasing the entire truck, in order to lift the slots from the plate on one car off the pins of the plate on the other car.

This is an unfamiliar design, so I'm looking for experience.

Thanks in advance.

[JanesCustomTrain]

You're looking for these ?  https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10189034  Z04-2436  Try to contact Kato USA, I know they had them available in the past. They may can even help you with the other parts.

Jane   

[robertlh]

Thank you.  I actually had zeroed in on that item in my searches - it's nice to have confirmation.  I will holler at KATO and hopefully they will have a line on the other items.

I received a lot of paperwork from the estate and found some helpful info there too.  Found the actual detail sheet from the set.  Being in japanese and english, it's a little vague, but valuable none the less.

[peteski]

Thank you.  I actually had zeroed in on that item in my searches - it's nice to have confirmation.  I will holler at KATO and hopefully they will have a line on the other items.

I received a lot of paperwork from the estate and found some helpful info there too.  Found the actual detail sheet from the set.  Being in japanese and english, it's a little vague, but valuable none the less.

If the set is fairly recent then you should be able to find replacement parts.  Was this set issued by Kato for Kato, or did Kato make the set for another company, like Lemke or Noch?

[JanesCustomTrain]

Mine was sold as Kato by Kato, no Lemke or NOCH involved, I remember because it was affordable    
(sold it a couple of years ago)

Jane

[robertlh]

That paperwork I found appears to be straight KATO. I don't recall the date (paperwork is at home) but btw 1991-1995.

I'm beginning to think, that finding parts is probably going to be by shear luck - that box of stuff that vendor XYZ has been hauling to train shows for 20 years - or a forum like this, that a participant says, "yeah, got 2 packs of those in the toolbox".

Or like my son said last night - that train is just going to be 1 car shorter as we scavenge parts 

Calling KATO is still on my list though.

Thanks for the input.

Robert

[JanesCustomTrain]

If you have no luck with Kato USA, check the link I provided, Hobbysearch in Japan will have the coupler parts available again. Use the "Notify when available" option and you'll get an email as soon as they are available. Shipping cost is fair, service is great.

Jane