So… this happened

[Kotori]

Bit of a story here…

 

So I was running my Shikishima today (Kato 10-1447) and went over a double crossover which was incorrectly thrown.  The train derailed and the metal axle contacted the metal rail, which bent it in such a way that it *welded* to itself at an angle.  The heat caused the bogie to weld itself to the plastic underframe too.  Would anyone know where I can contact Kato so I can get a replacement bogie/axle?

[Kingmeow]

Look at the back of the booklet that came with the loco/set.  It lists all the spare parts and you can get a replacement bogie.  I'm not sure if you can just get the wheel/axle but definitely the entire bogie.  It's not expensive but you will have to order it from Japan so the shipping is a little pricey.  Look at Plaza Japan or Hobby Search after you locate the part number.

[Kotori]

On 12/28/2024 at 2:09 PM, Kingmeow said:

Look at the back of the booklet that came with the loco/set.  It lists all the spare parts and you can get a replacement bogie.  I'm not sure if you can just get the wheel/axle but definitely the entire bogie.  It's not expensive but you will have to order it from Japan so the shipping is a little pricey.  Look at Plaza Japan or Hobby Search after you locate the part number.

It’s E001-8.  Neither Plaza Japan or Hobby Search have it in stock, but Kato Japan does, and it doesn’t look like they ship internationally.

[bill937ca]

You could approach Kato USA about ordering the part, but I understand it can be a lengthy process.

[Kotori]

2 hours ago, bill937ca said:

You could approach Kato USA about ordering the part, but I understand it can be a lengthy process.

I don’t think I have a choice.  Guess Shikishima will just be out of rotation for a couple months.

[chadbag]

Is one of these the right thing?  

 

https://www.amazon.co.jp/s?k=KATO+E001-8&crid=3PXUPKZFKMU6F&sprefix=kato+e001-8%2Caps%2C80&ref=nb_sb_noss

 

Unfortunately it appears that these, at least the reasonable ones, don't ship outside of Japan.  Maybe one of the forwarding services could take it and resend it to you.  I have not used one in a while so am not up on the current ones.  Maybe ZenMarket or something.

 

Also maybe see if RG Rokko can send it to you.  It won't be as cheap as Amazon but you're paying for the service and won't be the PITA that I've heard KATO US can be.

 

Just musing out loud.

 

[Takahama Trainwatcher]

I had the same thing happen to my Narita Express E259. The replacement part was not in stock at any Japanese online retailers that I could see, so I noted the part number. Eventually, it was restocked at Plaza Japan (https://www.plazajapan.com/search-results/?q=4667-2D). I had to wait a few years to get that part, but I patiently did so and got it (along with other gear to justify the shipping, of course).

[Kingmeow]

Kato Japan will not ship to the US.  You can try and talk to Kato USA.  I've heard they can order the part for you from Kato Japan but like bill937ca said, it can take some time.  They bundle your request to their next order from the mother ship and it may come via boat so yeah, lengthy process.

 

Did you sign up for e-mail notification on Plaza Japan and/or Hobby Search?  Eventually it will come back into stock.  There's one Tomix part (pantograph) that I have been waiting for a year but was just notified by Hobby Search it will be (tentatively) in stock at the end of next month.

 

Another option, although the least likelihood, is if you know someone who is visiting Japan.  I got some rare parts for a friend last month when I was in Japan.  And I have another friend who's going in February so I'm opening up a list.  My brother-in-law and his wife are currently in Japan and I got them to pick up a few Hogarakadou containers for me.

 

If I was going I would be glad to get it for you and mail it to you since you are in the US.

 

BTW, these parts "shortage" happens in the US too.  Atlas, Bachmann, Kato USA often have parts that are out of stock for ages until the next run of the respective item.  We should be glad that they have spare parts!  🙂

Edited December 30, 2024 by Kingmeow

[disturbman]

If the bogie is intact, just get a bag of 11-606. They should do the trick. Kato Japanese stock should be using all the same wheelsets.