Author Topic: KATO F 7 MTL conversion  (Read 1162 times)

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Doc Frankenfield

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KATO F 7 MTL conversion
« on: February 10, 2022, 12:10:44 AM »
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does the MTL conversion include the "frame" attachment for the front coupler?
I have two A units that have only part of the front assembly.

SP-Wolf

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Re: KATO F 7 MTL conversion
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2022, 08:19:50 AM »
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Which version of the Kato F unit do you have - ?

The original split frame or the new DCC ready one piece frame - ?

Wolf

thomasjmdavis

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Re: KATO F 7 MTL conversion
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2022, 10:30:44 AM »
+1
I assume you have older (pre- DCC) Kato chassis.  Parts for the newer chassis are usually available from KatoUSA  (or were, last time I needed some).

Are you missing the "floorboard" (the part that clips to the chassis) or the "coupler clip"- (the part that holds the coupler itself into place), or both?

My recollection (and please double check me before purchase) is that the old, out of production, 1159 conversion kit included its own coupler mounting that replaced some of the Kato parts . This kit only works with pre-DCC kato chassis.  The 1159 are so rare nowadays that I could not find a current eBay listing (although there is a lot of stuff I can't find since eBay "upgraded" its algorithm).  But you might find some at one of those old hobby shops where there are boxes of old stuff to search through.

The newer model conversion, 2000-1, is just couplers and uses the Kato clip.   Instructions for the 2000-1 can be found at MTL's website.

I'm really surprised that no one has replacement parts on Shapeways- the front end parts for older Kato F units are probably the single most needed parts in N scale- how many of us have at least 1 frame in need of a coupler clip or floorboard?
Tom D.

I have a mind like a steel trap...a VERY rusty, old steel trap.

superchief

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Re: KATO F 7 MTL conversion
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2022, 10:35:33 PM »
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for the original and revised the MT #1159 is correct and out of production, for the DCC unit they list both the #2001 and the #2004 both work, I prefer the #2004
                                                                                 Gordon

thomasjmdavis

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Re: KATO F 7 MTL conversion
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2022, 11:35:28 PM »
+1
for the original and revised the MT #1159 is correct and out of production, for the DCC unit they list both the #2001 and the #2004 both work, I prefer the #2004
                                                                                 Gordon
I am probably only going to confuse things more, but the 2001 coupler is not the same thing as the 2000-1 conversion kit.  The 2001 coupler fits Kato's Japanese prototypes, the 2000-1 is specifically a kit for the front (body mount) and rear (truck mount).

https://micro-trains.com/publicfiles/conversions/sheet007.pdf

You are right about the 2004 coupler.  The 2000-1 conversion kit includes 1 coupler (for the front- which I think is a 2004) and another coupler that fits the rear truck (I think an 1128?).  It is probably more economical to buy a package of 2004s and another package of 1128s, if you are going to do a number of locos.

Do they still supply toothpicks with the newer conversion kits? Or do you need to supply your own?
Tom D.

I have a mind like a steel trap...a VERY rusty, old steel trap.

Doc Frankenfield

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Re: KATO F 7 MTL conversion
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2022, 01:29:05 PM »
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Which version of the Kato F unit do you have - ?

The original split frame or the new DCC ready one piece frame - ?

Wolf
sorry just saw this. the older split frame.

SP-Wolf

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Re: KATO F 7 MTL conversion
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2022, 02:16:37 PM »
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sorry just saw this. the older split frame.

No worries,

OK - like was previously stated -- Micro Trains # 1159 is what you need to find. They are long out of production. Keep an eye on E-Bay.


Regards,
Wolf