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N Trenton Works 67'-11" Bulkhead Flat Car = Coupler height trouble?

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  • Member since
    July 2016
  • 4 posts
N Trenton Works 67'-11" Bulkhead Flat Car = Coupler height trouble?
Posted by Newark N on Friday, October 7, 2016 5:59 PM

Hello all, I purchased my first Bulkhead Exact Rail and what a great job they've done in detail...however compared to an NMRA coupler height gauge it sits about a half coupler too high..not such a big deal until you increase the amount of cars pulling and at only about 15 cars it will pop loose even from other Exact Rails (non bulkhead flat). I've attemtped to contact Exact Rail but no support yet..anyone else experience similar trouble and found a fix?  Appreciate any guidance since MFG has not commented.

PS very new to model railroad (May 2016) so hope this wasn't a dumb problem.

I'm looking for support on how to unsubscribe to the forum site and or update my log in details.

thank you

  • Member since
    July 2016
  • 4 posts
Posted by Newark N on Sunday, October 30, 2016 11:10 AM

Any ideas out there? I can't imagine I have the only car produced with this problem.

Exactrail refuse to respond to voice mail or e-mail so it is even beyond checking for a fix - they seem to refuse to even honor a direct purchase from their website...

So second question on any thoughts how to get my money back from them?

 

Hoping to get some forum help.

thank you

I'm looking for support on how to unsubscribe to the forum site and or update my log in details.

thank you

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 1 posts
Posted by ChrisB on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 8:32 PM

I just ran into this issue myself. I haven't tackled it yet, but my initial thought is to cut the coupler box cover short of the outermost axle (looks like it goes all the way to the bolster), and figure out a way to add a styrene shim between the coupler and the coupler box. It may be easier to replace the coupler/coupler box altogether with a Micro-Trains 1016. The top of the 1016's coupler box may be enough to lower the coupler to the correct height. 

On any other car, I'd say file the bolster down until the coupler height is correct, but it looks like the ride height of the car is fine and no additional room available for the wheels if lowered further. 

I hope that helps...

Chris

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Franconia, NH
  • 3,130 posts
Posted by dstarr on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 12:24 PM

Kadee makes a lot of different couplers, different heights, shank lengths, insulating, what ever.  I'd check the Kadee what-fits-what list to see what they recommend for your car.  If that doesn't pay off, find the " underset" coupler that will fit your coupler boxes.  All this goodness is on the Kadee website.  Your search engine will find it.  You may have to order what you need, unless you have access to a big hobby shop.

 

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Friday, September 29, 2017 7:42 AM

Newark N,

You should be able to find what You would need from these couplers.

Micro-Trains Line....N-scale Magne-Matic couplers link to conversion chart:

https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?_route_=n-scale/magne-matic-couplers

You will have to do some searching on the site.....but they should have what You need. I'm in HO Myself so I really never searched this link before.

Look at over shank couplers. They would lower the knuckle for a better height match.

Good Luck! Big Smile

Frank

EDIT: I would try calling them, rather than E-mail:

https://exactrail.com/pages/contact-us

 

 

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