Replacing kit couplers...

[Anonymous]

I want to replace the Accurail Accumate couplers that came with my boxcars and hoppers with Kadee #5 metal couplers. Should I get the couplers with or without the "gear" box? And...what length of shaft should I get? Recommendations based on experience?

Thanks,
Trevor[8D]

[cwclark]

the #5 kadee coupler is just that..you get two pairs of kadee couplers, copper spring plates, a draft gear box set on a plastic tree, and a couple of extra springs...the #5 is a universal coupler..i use them for all my rolling stock and engines...the only problem i've ever faced is if you install a snowplow on the front of an engine. the back of the couplers can catch the middle of the plow and you may have to go with another style coupler with a longer shaft...you won't have to purchase extra coupler parts with the kadee..the package includes everything you'll need...I also prefer to "Body mount" all my couplers...you may need to purchase a few 3/8" 2-56 screws from ace hardware and the drill and tap set also sold by kadee to mount them to the body of the rolling stock...I take a hobby knife and cut off the stock draft gear box and install kadee's version instead, then use the old screw over again or run the 2-56 tap and install a 2-56 screw in it's place...also you'll need the height gauge sold by kadee to ensure that all your couplers are the same height and the air hoses don't hang too low...they sell a special pair of pliers to bend the air hoses...to get the coupler's to the proper height, you can either shim them with thin pieces of styrene plastic when mounting the coupler or add washers to the rolling stock trucks to raise the coupler if needed...chuck

[Anonymous]

Kadee offer a bulk pack of 10 pairs of their #5 couplers - these are couplers with centring springs, no boxes are included. First make sure that the cars will accept the #5s - that the couplers will be at the correct height when fitted. Check the Kadee website if unsure - they should be able to help. You'll also be able to find the part numbers there for the multipack. Hope this is of help!

[Leon Silverman]

The Kadde #5 couplers should be drop-in replacements for the Accumates in most cases. You best best bet would be to buy the bulk pack (which are available in 20 pair packages as well as 10 pair packages). When you buy the couplers, you should also buy an envelop of both .010" and .015" spacer washers to adjust coupler height where necessary. These go between the truck bolster and the body, not in the coupler box.

[mcouvillion]

Just a comment to add to Leon Silverman's response regarding shims. I found out that for cars with a gross weight of 70 tons or less (140,000 lbs) the wheel diameter is usually 33". Those over 70 tons typically have a wheel diameter of 36". The model car manufacturers very often only supply 33" plastic wheels with their kits. For the larger cars, if you use the original wheels, you always have to shim the trucks to get the couplers to the correct height. If you replace the plastic 33" wheels with the correct (metal) 36" wheels, your couplers come out exactly right! What a country!

Mark C.

[cefinkjr]

Another follow up on Leon's comment:

Some Accurail cars have a draft gear box cover meant to be glued in place (or held in place by friction if you're that daring). These should be drilled (#50) and a #2 self-tapping screw used to hold the cover. Others have a hole in the cover and a screw is provided.

I hope the cars with the screws are the later ones -- they're certainly better than the others. The (hopefully) earlier ones also had pins to hold the trucks on. I replaced those with self tapping #2 screws too.

Chuck

PS: Get the idea that I prefer screws to friction or even glued joints? Murphy says that a coupler attached with a screw will never require maintenance; one attached with glue will fail sooner than later.

[twhite]

Chuck--the Accurail cars with the screws are the latest models. You're right, #5's will just drop in without any problem. The Accumate couplers I installed on my cars as part of the kit had to be replaced, as the split shaft tended to spread on any train over 10 cars going downgrade. When it hit level track, the train came apart in sections. Kadee's are the answer (plus P2k wheelsets) and with those two additions, the Accurail cars will perform flawlessly.
Tom

[Anonymous]

Definitely worth your while to use a screw to attach the coupler cover. A 2-56 NC screw fits the center hole of a Kadee draft gear box, so I would recommend a 2-56 tap and the bit for it and also a clearance bit for the screw. I replace plastic wheelstes with metal, so sometimes then coupler or bolster will need a shim. Worst case senario would be having to use an offset shank coupler to get the height right. I haven't had any luck with any of the other knuckle couplers that didn't have a metal coil knuckle spring. They just don't hold up.

[Anonymous]

I have found that the McHenry couplers are a perfect replacement coupler for Acurail cars, and come to the proper height without shimming.

If you are on a tight budget these couplers will give good service at a reduced cost.

Kadee couplers are stronger than any of the others, but I have hauled 40 car trains with McHenry couplers.