KATO Mike drawbar substitution

[Bill H]

Group:
There was a thread on the old A board about making a substitute draw bar, I need to put a Bachmann long Vanderbilt behind a KATO mike. Suggestions?

Kind regards,
Bill

[nickelplate759]

Never tried a vanderbuilt tender, but I was able to put a Bachmann long USRA tender on a Kato Mikado using the original drawbar.  I had to grind away a little frame detail around the bolster of the front tender truck, but it was trivial. 

[Bill H]

George:
What did you mean by original drawbar - the Mike of the Bachmann?

Kind regards,
Bill

[nickelplate759]

George:
What did you mean by original drawbar - the Mike of the Bachmann?

Kind regards,
Bill

Sorry - the Mike drawbar.  Essentially, I had to grind away two small tabs on the tender floor on either side of the the round bolster, so that the drawbar would sit properly around the bolster.

[Mark W]

I have 3D printed Kato Drawbars.  It would be very easy to re-design and print a custom drawbar to fit the Mikado with any other type of tender.


https://i.imgur.com/VWAbO6v.jpg

[Bill H]

Mark:
Thanks for the input. I only have two Mikes that I need to put Bachmann long vanderbilt tenders behind. That limited need does not seem to warrant a custom run unless there are others out there with a similar need.

Actually, in modeling the B&O, my biggest single need is to be able to move the headlights from the center of the smokebox up to the top as done by the B&O and a few other roads. That need reflects on about every steamer I have except my EM-1s. I am a little surprised that no one has attempted that yet on Shapeways.

Kind regards,
Bill

[Kentuckian]

I could use a couple of drawbars for the Bman long Vandy tender to fit the Kato mike. I also need to Frankenstein a lengthened Rivarossi Berk tender frame to a Bman Berk tender shell, and then connect this to the Kato mike.

[narrowminded]

If there was a draw bar combo that was desired by more than one person, maybe at least a dozen or so, or complex enough that it would be hard to fabricate, it might lend itself to 3D printing.  The wire contacts could generally be incorporated into the design as well.  Sample pieces would be needed.

[Lemosteam]

You really don't need the contact wires on this loco if you end up adding DCC because you'll end up hard-wiring from the loco to the tender anyway.  That leaves you open for a handmade styrene drawbar.  Just don't use metal or you'll short at the loco.