Bachmann coupler help

[Anonymous]

Here's the scoop, I am building from scratch a snow plow from GR plans.
I am 98% well, 90% done. I am using bachmann trucks with couplers. I took the cow catcher off of my 4-6-0 to replace the dummy coupler with a working one the coupler is too high or the plow car to low? Has anyone else converted to working front couplers? This might be the wrong place to post? Thanks - Greg

[toenailridgesl]

Greg, the 10-wheeler pilot coupler mount is too high for an operational knuckle. Kadee makes a conversion but you'd need to change to their couplers.
The front coupler from the new Indy & the old Columbia has a dropped shank & it should be possible to adapt one if you can find one. Maybe contact B/mann service via their website? http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/

[Anonymous]

Thanks Phil

[Anonymous]

[^] Here is The answer that I used on The Turtle Creek Central to fix the Beckman coupler dilemma. We took off the cowcatcher. We then cut the top of it off and removed 4 bars or teeth on the cowcatcher. Then we mounted a plastic bar on the pony truck ( pilot wheels ). This bar stuck out past the main beam where the cowcatcher was mounted by the factory. The cow catcher was then mounted on the center of the bar and coupler at the end of the bar. The coupler stay between the rails no mater how tight the curves may be.

[Anonymous]

[^] Here is The answer that I used on The Turtle Creek Central to fix the Beckman coupler dilemma. We took off the cowcatcher. We then cut the top of it off and removed 4 bars or teeth on the cowcatcher. Then we mounted a plastic bar on the pony truck ( pilot wheels ). This bar stuck out past the main beam where the cowcatcher was mounted by the factory. The cow catcher was then mounted on the center of the bar and coupler at the end of the bar. The coupler stay between the rails no mater how tight the curves may be.

[Anonymous]

[^] Here is The answer that I used on The Turtle Creek Central to fix the Beckman coupler dilemma. We took off the cowcatcher. We then cut the top of it off and removed 4 bars or teeth on the cowcatcher. Then we mounted a plastic bar on the pony truck ( pilot wheels ). This bar stuck out past the main beam where the cowcatcher was mounted by the factory. The cow catcher was then mounted on the center of the bar and coupler at the end of the bar. The coupler stay between the rails no mater how tight the curves may be. The cowcatcher and coupler flot with the pilot.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I''l have to try that. What I did and does not look as good as yours is.1 left cow catcher as is but added a piece of wood to extend it out and then mounted the coupler to the bottom of the wood. Which dropped the coupler. Like I said, Its not pretty but it works. I like yours much better and will put this on my to do list for the winter. Thanks again - Greg

[Anonymous]

[:)]Now I don’t feel so bad! My friends in N scale and HO all pick on me and my couplers. They call my Turtle Creek the AT&T RR. ( as in AT&T the phone Co. ) You know “ Reach out and touch / Couple someone….. My layout is inside and we have short switches and tight curves. So don’t feel bad, I did the same thing to! Check out the pics of the diesel, talk about long drawbars….. Welp it works and I can switch cars and real enjoy running the trains. I don’t just watch them go around and around…. ( Well some times ) But I prefer to set out cars and switch in the yard. All so see #5 our yard goat, the smallest engine on the TCC. And yet the longest drawbar. But like you said they work. I’ll be willing to bet that we aren’t the only one’s who have faced this dilemma to! Anyone else who has an idea or fix for this please show us. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Wow. Talk about LONG drawbars. Mine isn't quite that of a reach, but I figure that if it works don't complain it was free.
Thanks - Greg