The coupler on this tender is so low that any rolling stock behind it is too high and comes uncoupled easily. There is very little contact between them. Is there a simply solution to this weird problem?
Is the coupler drooping, or is it level, but still too low?
If it's level but too low, you should be able to find a Micro-Scale coupler with an underset shank, which will place the head of the coupler higher.Another option might be to insert washers between the truck bolsters and the underframe of the tender, as long as the raised tender will operate properly with the locomotive.
Wayne
I have no Bachmann Spectrum N-scale Heavy Mountain 4-8-2 to look at. Just online pictures.
Bachmann and Spectrum still go hand and hand as far as I know.
.
I'll start with this,
1) What type of coupler is on the Loco.? Micro-Trains (has a little curved rod coming out of the bottom of the coupler) or Rapido/Arnold (kind of just a hook type) or stock/factory? If it is a Micro-Trains coupler, do you have the Micro-Trains coupler height gauge?
2) Same question as #1 but for the rolling stock? Plus one more thing for the rolling stock, do they have body mount or truck mounted couplers?
3) Will the rolling stock hook up to the Loco's. front coupler correctly, as in line up and stay coupled?
4) On the tender, this looks like a body mount coupler and not a truck mounted coupler, correct?
5) Any chance a spring is missing from inside the coupler box/draft gear and since the coupler then would not have tension to stay level and then it would droop and not stay coupled to the car behind the tender.
I do have N-Scale, just not that Steam Loco.
The coupler is level. I will look for a Micro-Scale coupler with an underset shank. I don't think I can raise the body enough without running out of room on the underbody bolt step.
1, 2. The coupler is stock. It's like Micro-Trains but no brake line below. I have a ruler with the gauge on it. The locomotive couplers are much lower. The rolling stock and other locomotives are within spec.
3. The front coupler is the same height as the tender so too low also.
4. Body mounted.
5. No missing parts.
As crude as it may sound, perhaps if a Micro-Trains knuckle could be glued directly to the top of the stock one (minus the brake pipe), it might suffice.
Update: I made some paper shims from piano balance pin shims and the coupler is now much better. It's still a tiny bit low but servicable. Thanks much guys!
Looks like you have done some homework. Looks like you need a underset shank coupler that has the head higher then the shank, just what the good Dr. ordered.
Seldom SeenI will keep looking for the undershank knuckle but for now it's better. See above update.
What I have is Micro-Trains Line #001-02-052 (2004-1). This is N-Scale, underslung short shank body mount couplers (Reverse Draft Angle) assembled. The coupler head is above the center of the shank. These couplers come as it says, assembled, in the draft gear/coupler box. 4 to a pack. How these will fit up to your engine's pilot and tender's rear I can't say. Glue, screw, or cut to fit. These couplers have a trip pin for automatic uncoupling use that you may want to cut off for the one on the front of the engine (it may interfere with the pilot).
I know these are not the ''True-Scale, not too many options to pick frome non-automatic couplers'' that the good Dr. recomended. It looks like there are two different couplers heads, one ''standard'' with a trip pin head and one with a ''true scale'' non trip pin head. I need to look/read up on these two type of couplers more.
The bold print above is what is printed on the package
PC101:
I can't tell from the diagram of the above part whether or not this would fit the loco and I am loath to do surgery on my wife's irreplaceable, beautiful D&RGW steam engine.
Just as an experiment, a universal coupler was ordered today (https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&search=universal+coupler&description=true&product_id=352). It's not underslung but the knuckle may be thicker and hopefully somewhat taller than stock. The shank appears to be the same length at just short of 9mm. Every little bit will help.
Seldom SeenI made some paper shims from piano balance pin shims and the coupler is now much better.
The thing that might be most valuable here is detailed pictures, both of the side and bottom of the locomotive showing the problem, and of the arrangement of shims you used.
Overmod: There is virtually no verical play in the coupler and it sits perfectly level. Before shims were added there was barely any contact with adjoining knockles. You'd think the manufacturer would have been more responsible. I'll try to get an image or two up soon.
Seldom SeenYou'd think the manufacturer would have been more responsible.
Did you buy this new? Several releases of these engines came with the Rapido-style coupler as standard. I recall many efforts and hacks while trying to convert some stock N scale equipment to MicroTrains Line couplers.
This summary doesn't seem to pinpoint any problems with the factory couplers.
http://www.spookshow.net/loco/bachmann482.html
Good Luck, Ed
The DCC engine was purchased new in 2014. We had the tech at the now extinct Caboose Hobbies in Denver install a sound decoder. It came with the "good" couplers and a package containing Rapidos as an option.