Putting together a Kato HO Scale Locomotive

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

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

2

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. :slight_smile:

3

nice advice for any small model[:D]

4

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!!!

5

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

6

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.

7

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.