Help - looking for Kato F7B truck 17605B

Hello all,

my loco fallen down and the rear coupler of a Kato F7B is now broken

The truck has a code on it: 17605B

Anyone has this truck as a spare or knows if it is possible to order it somewhere?
This truck does pick-up the current but there is no engine in the F7B since
it hosts a decoder.

Thanks in advance,

Alex

 

Have you tried calling Kato USA ? https://www.katousa.com/about-kato.html

 

Alex from you photos it appears that the part where the stock Rapido coupler would go is OK and that the coupler itself and the spring is missing ? In that case you would just need a coupler and not the entire truck assembly.

If so I may have what you need as I had long ago replaced all my original couplers with Micro-Trains and rarely throw anything away.

 

@Brad it's the "cage" that keeps in place the coupler that is broken I have replecement couplers but it can not stay in place without the squared plastic frame to ut it in

@Mike no i did not, I am in Europe by the way. Do you think contacting directly Kato may have any chance?

They have a "Purchase parts" section in the web site but i can not find the right piece, anyone knows the right item in their list?

Thank you

 

Unfortunately, that is the 'Original' version of the F3/F7 truck and Kato shows no parts available. (P/N 929061). There are also none of the trucks for the 'Revised' version, which might have fit. The trucks for the 'DCC Ready' version will not work.

Your best bet is to try and find another F-Unit with the original trucks. The rear truck of an A-unit is the same as the B-unit trucks, so either type would work.

Adrian

 

Thanks @ADRIAN

if anyone here has an old Kato F7 to sell please contact me

 

Alex,
You can also try looking on online auctions sites. I have often found Kato parts that way. There are a couple vendors on that site that specialize in parts for older models,

 

@alextrov You would have to call them and talk to the repair guy . I had a missing part on my Broadway Ltd diner and he was able to rummage around and find what I needed . I think he keeps everything just in case he can use it to repair something . It's worth a shot anyway .

 

Alex-
When the Kato factory DCC'd the F units they had to design a new drive instead of just modifying the frame halves for a drop- in decoder. With Kato's "we only make a few extra parts beyond what is needed for the current production" policy that means all previous models are worthless if the truck frame breaks since the design changed.
PM me with your address... I have some original trucks like yours that I replaced with the low friction style.
Charlie Vlk

 

I tried to "start a conversation" with you Charlie but system says I can't

 

There was also an in between type of truck used prior to the drop in decoder mechanism that was low friction. I had switched all my F units to those at that time and like Charlie, have a small pile of these old ones. All of my old ones have the spring pin cut off as I had installed MT 1128 couplers on them so I don't think those would work for you if you are using Rapido couplers.

Also a local guy who is a new member of Trainboard contacted me and he thinks he has what you need. I gave him instructions on how to send you a private message. I think you are going to find something you can use.

 

http://search.cartserver.com/search...ywords=n7-a6901&maxhits=25&go=Search&bool=AND

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

 

alextrove, I mailed you an original 17605B truck a couple of hours ago. It has an intact spring pin and original spring included. It's slightly used, but should work fine. The post office said it should arrive in about 2 weeks.

Don C.
San Jose, CA