Couplers

[Anonymous]

Hopefully you folks will still be willing to help me out, even after I caused such a firestorm with my "Who are you voting for" post. I had no idea what I was starting...

I want to convert all of my rolling stock to the more realistic (Kato?) style couplers. Everything I own has the Rapido? (Old style) couplers. I have 4 new Bachmann N Scale Modern Engines (three C-40-8's and an SD-40-2).

Question #1 - What couplers should I use? I don't want to spend a foutune.
Question #2 - How do I convert my Bachmann engines?

[retsignalmtr]

there is a question that was previously asked about the accumate couplers for n scale. the quickest way to convert is to get the micro trains truck/coupler sets and remove the rapido couplers and whatever truck assembly is on them and install the micro trains sets. there are many different sets for locomotives and cars so a dealer can help you pick out the right ones.

[CBQ_Guy]

http://kadee.com/
[:D]

[Anonymous]

Take a look at the Microtrains website www.micro-trains.com/ and click on "Conversions" - you'll find lists of which Microtrains couplers fit each make and model of loco. Hope this is of help!

[egmurphy]

Both Micro-Trains and Atlas offer replacement trucks with couplers. The Micro-Trains (MT) ones have the MT coupler, the Atlas trucks have the Accumate coupler.

If price is a factor you will want to check the price of each at your LHS. The MT ones do cost more. It's not much if you're only converting a few cars, but if you already have a bunch it would add up.

The recent thread talking about the differences between the two is :
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23108

To convert the engines your only option is to use the MT conversion kits. Accumate does not (as far as I know) offer conversion couplers for locos.

Don't worry about the 'voting' post thread. Glad you didn't get scared off after that episode. By the way, who are you cheering for in the Series??? (just kidding)

Regards

Ed ("Reverse the Curse")

[Anonymous]

As I see it I very much like Kato couplers alot because of the detail.

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: ... very much like Kato couplers alot because of the detail...

No offense meant, but I've got to ask if you might be confusing Kato with Kadee. While Kato has put out a non operating dummy knuckle coupler with some of its engines, the only two operating knuckle couplers in N scale are the Micro-Trains (MT) ones and the Accumates.

The MT ones are the N scale version of the old Kadee's, which are still used in HO. There were two brothers who owned the firm. They split some years back. One maintained the Kadee name and continued to produce in HO. The other created Micro-Trains, and produces the N and Z scale versions of the same coupler.

MT's and Accumates are very similar in operation and looks. Not identical, but similar.

Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

My responce would be.......You do have a good point.

[Anonymous]

If your gonna go with Kadees you will want #452 for your Bachmann locomotives