Does anybody have a Kato C62 locomotive and have replaced the Rapido coupler in the tender with the included knuckle? Or can anyone tell me how to do it? The instructions are in Japanese. And while we're at it, can you tell me where all the number boards go, and the little piece with the badge on it?
To replace the rear coupler you first pop the cover off the rear truck. Then the truck should come loose from the body, and you can remove the coupler box. Slide the rapido coupler off the peg and replace it with the knuckle version, making sure to keep the spring on the nub on the back of the coupler. Snap the coupler box back in place, slide the truck into the correct position and then snap the cover back on the bottom of the truck. Its a lot easier than it sounds once you've done it once. The number boards go in the slots on the front of the boiler, one on each cab side, and one on the rear of the tender. Once you trim them from the sprue they just pop in place. Make sure you clean off the nub that can be left on the sides from the sprue, as that will get in the way of them fully seating in their slots. If they are fully in place they dont need glue, they stay by a nice friction fit. The "badge" is known as a headmark in japan. It acts like a drumhead would on a US heavyweight car, to advertise and to let people know what train the locomotive is pulling. To install it on the model you remove the existing shroud over the front of the loco, and replace it with the spare you have shown. In later years crews would often omit installing the headmark on steam locomotives, much to the dismay of railfans. The head mark you have is for the sleeper express "Akai" which ran between Tokyo and Hiroshima via the coastal the Kure line. This was one of the last steam hauled mainline express trains in japan running with C62 and C59 steam locomotives until the line was electrified in 1967. Kato has made a set of the Aki passenger cars which are a bit tricky to track down but also make a nice train. The C62 and C59 steam locos were also more often found hauling 10 car commuter trains using older heavyweight coaches on the Kure line when not used for express duties. The Kato Aki train https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10346805
Thank you very much for the information. In looking closer at the images in the instructions, it would appear that there is a release of some sort that you push, to slide the truck frame rearward. Is that correct?
There is a cover on the bottom of the truck that you remove, then the truck slides forward and is free. In the first picture it is the darker grey piece. It is held in place by two tabs just inside of the axles.
