I have a Walthers Mainline RBL boxcar that has push on pocket covers which mount over the couplers. I am missing one of these pocket covers and looking for a fix. Walthers does not list these covers in their catalog. Any suggestions for a satisfying fix that stays in place?
Update, I have a more recent Walthers Gold Line car (bulkhead flatcar). The couplers still include pocket covers but they are held in place with a screw (M2 x 4 Panhead) rather than a press fit. Hopefully, I can get a pocket cover from Walthers tap a screw to fit. Could be challenge since the existing pocket has a mounting peg (for press fit)...
E-mail Walthers and ask where you can get one. They may, or may not, stock them.
You can probably fabricate one from styrene and drill and tap a screw hole to hold it in place.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
That peg, as you call it, is like Athearn cars with the metal snap on coupler box cover.
The pellet hoppers I rebuilt had that same arrangement, and I carefully drilled a hole in the peg, and used a 2 x 1/8" self tapping screw to fasten a thin plastic cover cut from a piece of styrene.
There is jig for that operation, but I don't think it's worth it, unless you have lots of cars.
https://www.micromark.com/Bulls-Eye-Drill-Jig?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImMDB2pad4AIVBJRpCh2RFw2yEAQYBCABEgK
Mike.
My You Tube
IDRick I have a Walthers Mainline RBL boxcar that has push on pocket covers which mount over the couplers. I am missing one of these pocket covers and looking for a fix. Walthers does not list these covers in their catalog. Any suggestions for a satisfying fix that stays in place?
Rick,
If the gearbox is plastic, use a #17 X-acto blade and pare it off flush with the underside frame. You can then replace it with a Kadee gearbox and the Kadee coupler of your preference.
I don't care for any snap on/push on-type gearbox covers and much prefer the ones held on by screws. This makes any coupler replacements or adjustments much easier - should I need to.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Thanks guys! Excellent suggestions! At this time, the kadee gearbox solution sounds like the easier choice since I don't have the pocket cover. Totally agree with Tom that a screw attachment is much preferred!
Most of the press-on lids can be modified by slicing off the mounting pin and spinning a hole with a knife point.. Tap the coupler box with a 1-72 tap, and use a flat or round head 1-72x1/8" screw with a washer under the screw head.
The bullseye jig only works with 2-56 hardware.
Unless you're running a hundred car train, the 1-72 is plenty.