Having installed countless #5/#148 Kadee knuckle couplers on HO scale rolling stock, I now find myself trying to help a newby replace the Rapido style couplers on his older roling stock with Micro-Trains knuckle couplers. Having read Jim Kelly's columns and his discussions about body mounted couplers, I think I can deal with the various freight cars. My problem is the locomotive. The newby purchased an Atlas GP7 at a train show and it still has Rapido style couplers. Looking at the Micro-Trains conversion guide, I see that kit # 00132110 (1155) is appropriate for this model. However, the kit instructions seem a little confusing, especially since I don't have the loco or the kit parts available to study. Can somebody help me understand what I'm up against? The newby's layout is a small switching layout with Piko small radius turnouts so I'd probably have to use the setup for radii smaller than 12". Just for reference, I was sooo happy when Kadee released the #148 whisker coupler as I absolutely HATE trying to assemble/install the old #5 since I don't have three hands!
Hornblower
Does the loco have body mounted couplers or truck mounted couplers? The 1155 fits the truck mounted Atlas / Kato version (it will say Kato on the fuel tank bottom) after the truck draft gear box is removed. The 1155 is a complete pilot to body mount the coupler.
If it is the 1996 and newer Atlas / China version, it will have body mounted couplers. For this version, the Micro-Trains 1015 is needed. Much easier conversion.
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
On all of my Atlas China N Scale engines I used the assembled Micro-Trains 1015-1 which is a side in fit since it makes the converion easier.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"