What does everyone do about the couplers on the tender to the engine. Do people replace the one that comes with the tender and engine (Hook) or replace it with the knuckle. If so how do I know what size to use. Bachmann is easy ,I think they have one size but some of the others out their have different sizes etc...?????. I also want to replace my LGB value starter set with link and pin couplers. It currently has the hook but I plan on kitbashing the cars and engine. Is there a specific link and pin set I should use? and is it easy to put on or do i have to improvise to make them work? Would I be better off with the knuckle couplers. I never realized how many sizes are out there. Too confusing for me.
So let me get this right
You want Bachmann from train to tender knuckle
And LGB train to tender knuckle
Your looking at Kadee's?
Toad
I've never replaced the hook--it seems very reliable to me, and I have sound in the tender so I want the tender attached all the time. The hook seems like the most reliable way on Bachmann and LGB stuff. Aristo uses a metal drawbar which looks less "toyish." I have had the drawbar fail and rip out the wires attaching the tender to the loco.
I actually don't know what real railroads used. I doubt very much it was ever knuckle couplers, since there was not much need to switch tenders very often. I supect it was some kind of semi-permanent mechanical fastening.
It's hard to find pictures that show the way they were connected--here's one that shows clearly they didn't use a knuckle
Usually a solid drawbar is used between the engine and tender. One could be made from thick plastic or brass bar. I would remove the coupler and use the the coupler mounting post as a spot to attach the drawbar to.
-Brian
SNOWSHOE wrote: What does everyone do about the couplers on the tender to the engine. Do people replace the one that comes with the tender and engine (Hook) or replace it with the knuckle. If so how do I know what size to use. Bachmann is easy ,I think they have one size but some of the others out their have different sizes etc...?????. I also want to replace my LGB value starter set with link and pin couplers. It currently has the hook but I plan on kitbashing the cars and engine. Is there a specific link and pin set I should use? and is it easy to put on or do i have to improvise to make them work? Would I be better off with the knuckle couplers. I never realized how many sizes are out there. Too confusing for me.
I have never changed the coupler from the engine to the tender, unless its a completely new kitbashed engine where I have had no choice. The tender/engine coupler is usually placed to maintain correct distance between the cars, changing them out means risking altering that.
On my Bachmann I left the standard ones in place, same on my LGB, if it aint broke dont fix it. Unless your planning on really bashing the begeezuzz out of them then maybe you could alter them, but like the engines with link and pin drawbar, these were never ment to be easily disconnected, so moving locos/tenders can become an issue.
Ozark Miniatures makes L&Ps, check out there website to get a better idea of what they have to offer.
Have fun with your trains
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