KatoUSA parts website

[peteski]

I too am in need of some Kato 800121 trucks and try as i may i could find no Kato trucks on the MBK site
Do i need the secrete code word and handshake to gain access to the Selection of Kato parts at MBK site?
😉😉
Or is my 6th grade education failing me and just dont know where to look🤔🤦‍♂️

I used to frequently purchase from MBK before they "improved" their website few years ago.  I have not done much buying there since that time, but they should still have decent selection of Kato spare parts. Their current website layout is not intuitive to me. Sorry that I cant' be more help.  Maybe @Ed Kapuscinski being the Web-wiz he is could lend a helping and searching MBK for Kato parts.

[reinhardtjh]

I too am in need of some Kato 800121 trucks and try as i may i could find no Kato trucks on the MBK site
Do i need the secrete code word and handshake to gain access to the Selection of Kato parts at MBK site?
😉😉
Or is my 6th grade education failing me and just dont know where to look🤔🤦‍♂️

I used to frequently purchase from MBK before they "improved" their website few years ago.  I have not done much buying there since that time, but they should still have decent selection of Kato spare parts. Their current website layout is not intuitive to me. Sorry that I cant' be more help.  Maybe @Ed Kapuscinski being the Web-wiz he is could lend a helping and searching MBK for Kato parts.

MBK/MTS has let their selection of Kato parts wither down to nearly nothing.  The popular 923120 and 932090 geared wheel sets haven't been in stock for over a year, maybe two.  No caboose trucks and few others as well.  Possibly part of the policy change noted in another thread recently.

As an example. Here is a search for N-Scale, Trucks and couplers, Kato

Kato Parts

All 12 items are out of stock.  There are no in-stock Kato items in that category.

[peteski]

Sorry for the MBK bum steer.  That will teach me for referring to my previous experience.  Another reason for me to stay away from what used to me my 2nd favorite online store (after BLW, which is also now defunct). 

[CBQ Fan]

If they list your item as out of stock I have had good luck with MBK feature to “notify you” when back in stock. If the manufacturer has it in stock I get a notice that the item is back in stock within a week or two. I am assuming if you request it they tack it on to the next order from the manufacturer. I have seen several items I have requested show up with a quantity of 1-2. 

[mike_lawyer]

It was always a mystery why MBK changed their website years ago.  I felt their old web layout was easy to navigate.  Now, it is not at all intuitive with the filters and such.

[oakcreekco]

It was always a mystery why MBK changed their website years ago.  I felt their old web layout was easy to navigate.  Now, it is not at all intuitive with the filters and such.

100% agree with you.

Sometimes "change" isn't better. Really liked the old one.

[peteski]

It was always a mystery why MBK changed their website years ago.  I felt their old web layout was easy to navigate.  Now, it is not at all intuitive with the filters and such.

There was a lengthy discussion about the new website (in the Crew Lounge) fresh after it was brought online.  According to our resident Web design guru (Ed K.), who is also familiar with MBK operations, he mentioned that the company simply outgrew the old website, so they moved to "big commerce".  Many of us did not like the move, and personally I no longer shop there (unless there is something there I can't easily get elsewhere). But while they lost me, they probably gained 100 new customers.  Oh well, c’est la vie.  As Ed would probably say: suck it up buttercup. Deal with it!

The older I get, the more I notice that I liked many (but not all) things in the past more than what I see today.  Again, that is normal.

[MetroRedLine]

And now, as I was changing the couplers on my new Kato ALC-42 (the couplers are WAAAAAY too low when matched with an MTL coupler height gauge), both the center coupler pin of the front coupler plate/pilot and one of the side securing pins of the rear coupler plate broke off. 

The front was broken putting a MTL 2004 on. That pin is delicate...I put the 2004 on and heard a snap sound. The pin was gone. Fortunately, I took out the trusty MTL Tap and Drill set and drilled a #56 hole where the pin was and was able to hold the coupler with a screw. The head of the screw couldn't even be seen.

BTW, the 2004 in the front won't work. It needed a longer shank since there's not enough room to swing. I ended up using a long-shank MTL 2001 for the front coupler. The rear uses a 2004 just fine, though those with tight radii might want to use the long-shank 2001 in the rear coupler.

The rear one was worse. As I pried off the rear plate, I heard a "snap" and saw that one of the securing legs came off.

This is an even worse problem since now I can't even run the dang loco anymore since there's nothing to secure the coupler. :x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x

I'm starting to have my doubts about the engineering behind this loco. First the easily-lost rear, MU hoses now the coupler plates. If only there was a website where I can find replacement parts...Oh right. :x:x:x:x:x:x

[peteski]

And now, as I was changing the couplers on my new Kato ALC-42 (the couplers are WAAAAAY too low when matched with an MTL coupler height gauge), both the center coupler pin of the front coupler plate/pilot and one of the side securing pins of the rear coupler plate broke off. 

The front was broken putting a MTL 2004 on. That pin is delicate...I put the 2004 on and heard a snap sound. The pin was gone. Fortunately, I took out the trusty MTL Tap and Drill set and drilled a #56 hole where the pin was and was able to hold the coupler with a screw. The head of the screw couldn't even be seen.

BTW, the 2004 in the front won't work. It needed a longer shank since there's not enough room to swing. I ended up using a long-shank MTL 2001 for the front coupler. The rear uses a 2004 just fine, though those with tight radii might want to use the long-shank 2001 in the rear coupler.

The rear one was worse. As I pried off the rear plate, I heard a "snap" and saw that one of the securing legs came off.

This is an even worse problem since now I can't even run the dang loco anymore since there's nothing to secure the coupler. :x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x

I'm starting to have my doubts about the engineering behind this loco. First the easily-lost rear, MU hoses now the coupler plates. If only there was a website where I can find replacement parts...Oh right. :x:x:x:x:x:x

Not sure what to tell you.

I have removed the coupler boxes on the front and back multiple times, problem and breakage free. I actually have a procedure to permanently attach the rear hoses all photographed. It includes removing the coupler box. Just need to do the write-up. I didn't see anything wrong with the engineering of that part of the model.  I have not attempted MTL conversion and I doubt I will.  Sometimes it just makes sense to me to leave the Kato couplers installed (especially since my loco will only coupler to Kato passenger cars (which also retain the original couplers).  I do agree that those couplers are not optimal, but  . . .

[bbussey]

BTW, the 2004 in the front won't work. It needed a longer shank since there's not enough room to swing. I ended up using a long-shank MTL 2001 for the front coupler. The rear uses a 2004 just fine, though those with tight radii might want to use the long-shank 2001 in the rear coupler.

MTL #1019 is the long-shank version of #2004.

[oakcreekco]

Latest update on the Kato website states that the on line parts department will be available in May.

That's good news.

[Zack L-J]

Thanks for the update!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

There was a lengthy discussion about the new website (in the Crew Lounge) fresh after it was brought online.  According to our resident Web design guru (Ed K.), who is also familiar with MBK operations, he mentioned that the company simply outgrew the old website, so they moved to "big commerce".  Many of us did not like the move, and personally I no longer shop there (unless there is something there I can't easily get elsewhere). But while they lost me, they probably gained 100 new customers.  Oh well, c’est la vie.  As Ed would probably say: suck it up buttercup. Deal with it!

The older I get, the more I notice that I liked many (but not all) things in the past more than what I see today.  Again, that is normal.

Lol

Yeah. The main issue was that they had outgrown the platform they used to be on. Basically, it couldn't handle the size of their catalog (remember, it includes everything they've ever sold through it), orders, etc...

The technology just couldn't scale with them.

So they had to choose something else.

And sadly, since they're in the model RR business, they don't have the budget for my employer, so they got what they got, lol.

[Chris333]

All sites suck nowadays. I just went to Home Depot's site. Searched for LED bulbs. Then checked the "in stock" button at my local store. Half of the results were not available at my local store. Said F them and tried Lowes. Same exact *****. Search for anything as specific as possible and get handed a ton of bullshit results that have nothing to do with what you asked for.

Might as well be realtors. Oh you can only afford $150K how about this nice house for $499K >?  Problem?

[peteski]

All sites suck nowadays.

You got it Chris!
Welcome to the "old men yelling at clouds" club!