I recently ordered a shell for one of the new Kato SD40-2 mid-production units I am doing in CP dual flags scheme. I was aware when I ordered that the Kato shell for this model no longer comes with the sill, walkways, and handrails. I have the mechanism with trucks and fuel tank already. A quick look at the kato website shows that they are not selling the sill/walkways as a part anymore, meaning that I have no way to mount this shell on a sill/walkway and to the trucks and tank frame. I have another unit I could cannibalize if absolutely necessary, but before I do, does anyone have another solution I am missing, or a reason Kato is not selling this rather critical part? My best, Jan
If you are doing an original CP unit built by GMDD vs EMD, you may be able to use SD40-2W parts from Intermountain to get the correct steps, etc.
If you don't fear eBay. Note: they don't currently have them listed, but wait a while to see if they list what you need or a shell assembly.
i asked kato a few times why they don't sell handrails and tankpart. no reply. i could use a few myself.
Sandro, Just sent you a PM. I ended up cannabalizing a sill off an old FEC unit I had. Painful but had to be done. Kato is not all that customer responsive are they.
Jan, I can't be sure but the undec I got several years ago was with everything. Do not what happened with Kato. Bob.
Being basically uneducated on the newer models of diesels is there a difference in the handrail/walkway assembly on the mid production and the original units, and is that difference something that could be easily modified? If not on the former, or yes on the latter, then Katousa shows a bunch of the original SD40-2 handrails. And did you check Kato Japan vs Kato USA.
john the mid-production sd40-2 share no parts with any other sd40/sd40-2. except for the jewel case and the motor.
Bob, You are correct and that is true. Several years back, when the mid-procuctions were originally released, buying an undec shell included sills, walkways and handrails, you got the entire unit and could pop it right on to the chassis, fuel tank and trucks. Not at all sure why they no longer do this, nor sell this critical piece, but ours is left to reason why... Dave, With FEC gradually repainting their SD40-2's into the red and yellow heritage scheme this just means I will have to at some point paint it into that scheme so I can run it on my CP rail sills! My best, Jan
