I wanted to be able to run an old style passenger train so I picked up an A-B F3 unit and some cars such as #910-30202. The talgo trucks and couplers need to go and I was hoping someone who has done this can help me.
I know Walthers has what they call an exterior detail kit that includes a body mount box and drawbars. Since I won't install the grabs that come with it is there any reason to go this route instead of just using Kadee couplers and boxes? My minimum curves are 24".
Any recommendations on which Kadees to use?
Rick
Hbgatsf,
Using a Kadee draft gear box will only cause You headaches. The draft gear box that comes with the kit is a swing draft gear box that will swing further than the Kadee box and coupler, which You would also have to get a long shank coupler for, and then it's iffy for 24'' curves. Those are long cars and need the extra swing. Also the couplers that come with it are Proto max couplers just about Kadee's equal.
I have ten of those cars that I put the light kits in and coupler swing pockets with the metal trucks/ wheel sets. I also used 1/4 shank Kadee couplers on them to get the cars closer together....the diaphragms just barely touching....but I have broad curves so don't have to worry about minimun radius.
Inclosed is a pic' of what the swing coupler pocket looks like in the kit.....like I said the whole coupler pocket swings so You can make small radius curves.
Good Luck!
Frank
What I have been doing is using Kadee 118 couplers and removing the the top shelf portion. The 118's look like the lock-tight couplers used on passenger cars and the lower shelf keeps the cars from uncoupling. Works really well.
Darin Umlauft