ATLANTIC CENTRAL The best Kadee replacement for almost all Bachmann locos is the 148 whisker, without any Kadee box, installed the same way the Bachmann coupler was installed. Sometimes the Kadee shank will be too thick, in which case I gently and carefully drag it across a flat file until the shank is thin enough to work in the Bachmann box/space. My fleet of over 30 spectrum steam loocs are converted to Kadee's in this way. Sheldon
The best Kadee replacement for almost all Bachmann locos is the 148 whisker, without any Kadee box, installed the same way the Bachmann coupler was installed.
Sometimes the Kadee shank will be too thick, in which case I gently and carefully drag it across a flat file until the shank is thin enough to work in the Bachmann box/space.
My fleet of over 30 spectrum steam loocs are converted to Kadee's in this way.
Sheldon
Sheldon, that's just what I did ( about 4 hours ago ). I did have to file down the top of the 148's shank a little as it is thicker than the EZ-Mate's shank and also the way the couplers lid space was formed for. At first I thought maybe there would be a electrical short by using a metal coupler shank on a metal coupler base ( not a pocket ) in case trip pin might contact rail or whatever Murphy's Law might come up with, but by checking metal coupler base on the pilot with a VOM it just shows continuity to the frame and not the motor as that is all isolated. Well I knew it was and Isolated motor but one should always check for good ole Murphy is always watching your layout.
I thank you very much as all is working just fine with the coupling department now. Good ole Kadee.
Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.
I take those ugly large couplers off an install the Kadee 711 old time coupler.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I have no problem on my 4-6-0 or any of my Bachmann steamers coupling to my freight cars with Kaydees
Did maybe the small spring pop out
51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )
ME&O
I tried again just now for the Kadee site, got site but now their coupler conversion page is "Kaput" so I'll try later. Galaxy, I found their #28 for the pilot but that too may need some work.
http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page28.htm
Not sure but the flat circled plate with the 2/56 hole ( pilot ) is just a tad too tight for a Kadee whisker ( as Alantic Central noted ) coupler ( probably have to ream out the hole in the Kadee just a tad with a very small "Rat Tail" file ( that I have ). the #28 box would have to fit in the pilots circular metal pad.
For sure Bachmann wants you to use their coupler. I will try your way guys as I have the couplers in my supplies. Either way I'm not monkeying with that round metal pad, somehow I'll try & fit either a whisker ( first sanding a little more flat and possible reaming out the coupler hole a tad. ) and if the whisker doesn't work then I'll give the #28 coupler a whirl, or the #22. ( Getting confused here. )
http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page22.htm
Not only did Bachmann add DCC and sound, I think they messed with the pilot coupler pad from their original HO Ten Wheeler
Thanks.
What I found on the conversion chart I have for the pilot is #22.
Bachmann Spectrum
Steam
4-6-0 Ten Wheeler.....................................22 pilot, MCS tender
For the tender, I asume the other is in play. "MCS" they define as:
MCS= No. 5 {R}, 28,58,118, 119,148 or 158 Medium Centerset Shank COupler My chart: http://www.kadee.com/conv/holist.pdf 2nd page, first column, 6th item down
MCS= No. 5 {R}, 28,58,118, 119,148 or 158 Medium Centerset Shank COupler
My chart:
http://www.kadee.com/conv/holist.pdf
2nd page, first column, 6th item down
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
I've a new DCC Tsunami sound equipped Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler which runs & sounds great on my layout but those dog-gone EZ mate couplers just don't know how to kiss. That's right kiss.
Good ole Kadee couplers on straight track will kiss each other and lock with a whisper of momentum but a EZ Mate and a Kadee . Sometimes I will watch the EZ Mate ( on the loco's pilot ) click a Kadee and it looks like they are coupled, start to pull in reverse and.......well nuts, try again..
I've searched this site for a Kadee conversion to no avail, also looked at Kadee's coupler conversion chart for the Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0 and they show #5, #48 ( and another ?? ) as a drop in using Kadee coupler boxes. I think Kadee goofed on Their PDF for on the pilot there is a raised metal round plate with a 2/56 threaded hole and no way a Kadee #5 box is going to fit and if it did the coupler would be way to low. The PDF never did show for the tender which is another type of EZ Mate madness.
I've greased both coupler faces with Kadee "Greas-em" ( which really helps ) but not always and I need at least 98% coupling ( you'll never get 100% even with Kadee's ).
I love Kadee couplers. Anyone know of maybe a Kadee replacement that I can't seem to find at the Kadee site. Surely some of you have converted this loco to Kadee. ( I hope )
Merry Christmas