Maybe you can help me, I think I may have burnt out a motor on one off my Kato CP RS-2's! I have had it for about two years now. It did give some problems, but with a little wheel cleaning it ran fine. It would occasionally stall and sputter. I got the shell of it right now and only thing that seems to work is the lights. I cleaned the wheels and it was running fine, it started making a buzzing sound. It just stopped dead in it's tracks. It was running hot there for a while but it did run. It does not smell like it was shorted or burned out out. Are the brushes gone on it? I can occasionally get the worm gear to spin around for about a second and then it stops, but the lights do stay one. Help!!! Jerry
Was this the only one that was running hot? Also what is the color of the motor windings? it helps if you have another Kato motor to compare with. From the indications it is not the brushes, it takes practically for ever to ware them out. And does the armature spin freely?
The brushes were fine, it is the motor. The motor id fried, I compared it to the other one I have. Now I have a dummy locomotive. Does anyone have the mechanism for sale for an RS-2 they want to sell?
Check the Kato website http://www.katousa.com/ and go to their online spare parts catalog. Kato has replacement parts for everything they sell under the Kato name. (I don't know about stuff they made for other retailers, e.g. Atlas. A few years back I selected what I wanted from the online catalog. Then I called their 800 number and talked it over with someone in the Parts Dept. He was very helpful, and I had my part in a few days.
I raise my glass of Jack Daniels to Mr. Dee williams of Kayto. I e-mailed him of my problems with my RS-2's and I recieved an e-mail back to send them in for repair and that more than likely there will be no cost to replace the motors. The sister unit is sputtering and giving me grief also. I am sure they do not like to have an unhappy customer. It cost $20.oo CAN. to send it out, but it is well worth it. Other manufacturers take notice at the good will toward their n-scale customers.
I JUST RECIEVED AN E-MAIL FROM MR.DEE GILBERT AT KATO. MY RS-2'S ARE IN THE MAIL. BOTH MOTORS WERE REPLACED (GRATIS) NOT A PENNY. THESE UNITS WERE ALMOST TWO YEARS OLD. MINT CONDITION, NOT ABUSED AT ALL. ALL I PAID FOR WAS FOR THE SHIPPING THERE TO KATO. SOMETIMES YOUR FAITH IS RE-ENSTILLED IN PEOPLE AND MANUFACTURERS. ONLY IF THE CAR COMPANIES WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
Sounds like Kato is an excellent company like Varney and Mantua used to be! I have emailed Bachmann several times, asking about one of their track accessories, and even got their $8.00 catalog, but haven't heard from Bachmann yet. The accessory is not in the catalog either. "I don't think there is anybody back there!" Bachmann is sure NO Kato!
Watash, I agree on the Mantua support. They always kept me as a regular customer and being I know what I know and have the parts for thing from Mantua I still buy their products anyway! I have a Mantua Pacific (B&O President Washington Collectable) that runs like a scared jack rabbit! And I believe its a few years old. I bought it in I believe 1998. And they were on the market in 1997... And its went in one time for a bad motor and side rods that would not keep their adjustment to run smoothly. I got it back and brand new Sagami can motor and brand new wheels and side rods. Both sides! and they up graded the tender as well. It had on the plain 2 axle/4 wheel trucks and was ok but isn't like their 3 axle/ 6 wheel trucks in electrical pick up. But before doing so on the tender they had called me first to make sure I would want the new 3 axle/ 6 wheeled trucks! I sent in like 4 loco's and got them all back in great running shape. And they also sent a TON of spare parts for any existing loco I have and didn't get to them by Oct 31st. of last year! Plus I ordered parts... And when that came I had 4 times the amount I ordered! On your Bachmann stuff. e-mail what you have. I might have something on it that can help you fix him yourself.... Bachmann isn't no Kato or Mantua thats forsure.. But I must say that they have done a few things for me tho... But it was on Bachmann Plus loco's. Not accessories..... I don't know if the Bachmann warrenty is the same for the accessories like it is the loco's.
JUST PICKED UP MY RS-2'S AT THE POST OFFICE. THEY RUN GREAT, SMOOTH AS SILK! LOOKSLIKE A COUPLE WHEELS WERE REPLACED ALSO. KATO IS ONE FINE COMPANY, I WILL BE A FAN FOR LIFE. IT WOULD HAVE COST ABOUT $70 US, THAT WOULD BE ABOUT A MILLION CANADIAN.LOL NO REALLY! ABOUT $110 CANADIAN. HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!!!
