Kato Knuckles and Rapidos

[Irish Padre]

Hi everyone- just bought a new Kato loco off eBay - an EF 58. Although it hasn't arrived yet, I just noticed that this model seems to have grey knuckle couplings. Is it likely to include Rapidos in the box? And if it not, are they easy to exchange? Here's a pic of the loco

 

Thanks!!

 

David

[Melandir]

Ef58 couplers are usually easy to replace, but I know that there are different variations around

Edited November 15, 2014 by Melandir

[railsquid]

If it's genuinely new and unmodifed, the Rapido coupler should be attached as standard. According to the catalogue, the Kato Couple N is included as an alternative.

[katoftw]

Part number?

[Irish Padre]

Loco is 3020-7

[katoftw]

Okay.  That model comes with rapidos as standard, and knuckle couplers are included as an option.  So hopefully a) the stock ebay picture is a EF58 with knuckle couplers fitted, b) if knuckle couples are fitted, then the original rapidos are in the box also.

[Irish Padre]

Great - thank you! The seller only put up one picture and it's quite blurry. The loco was described as new though so the various couplings should still be in the box!

[Irish Padre]

Thanks everyone! Loco arrived today - with knuckles. Thankfully I spied a few Rapidos in the parts bag and as advised it was a quick job to fix. Thanks for the guidance - I now look forward to hooking the EF-58 to an 8-car Nagasaki sleeper train!!

[katoftw]

Good news.