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Converting Tyco Crane to Kadees

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  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Miles City, Montana
  • 2,289 posts
Converting Tyco Crane to Kadees
Posted by FRRYKid on Friday, February 28, 2020 1:04 AM

Got yet another one for my Forum friends: What is the best way to put Kadee couplers on a Tyco crane car? The stock trucks are the plug trucks with truck mounted couplers. Usually I replace plug trucks with something like an Athearn-type truck by putting tube or something similar to fill the hole to attach the trucks with a 2-56 screw and body mount the couplers. (I have done this with a bunch of Tyco caboose.) As usual any assistance that can be provided would be most welcomed.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, February 28, 2020 1:25 AM

Oh bah! I was just about to start this exact project in my Tampa "dorm room" workshop when I lost my job.

Now it is all packed away.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, February 28, 2020 6:38 AM

FRRYKid
Usually I replace plug trucks with something like an Athearn-type truck by putting tube or something similar to fill the hole to attach the trucks with a 2-56 screw and body mount the couplers.

So, why not continue to do that?  

The other option, with out replacing the truck, and body mounting the coupler, is the Kadee Talgo adpter, which lets you put a Kadee coupler in the excisting Talgo style truck.

Kadee part # KAD212.

Mike.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Miles City, Montana
  • 2,289 posts
Posted by FRRYKid on Friday, February 28, 2020 11:42 AM

Replacing the trucks was the original plan. I just wanted other opinions. It seems like I do thinks the hard way at points.

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Franconia, NH
  • 3,130 posts
Posted by dstarr on Friday, February 28, 2020 6:25 PM

Kadee publishes a "what fits what" list giving their recommendations for couplers to fit every piece of HO rolling stock ever made.  Although you can warp a #5 Kadee into almost anything, you can save yourself a lot of hacking and filing and cussing by going with the recommendation in the "what fits what" list.  In particular hot chassis locomotives want insulating couplers.  When I convert truck mounted couplers (talgo couplers) to body mount I just snip off the coupler mount from the factory talgo trucks and re install them.  Works good for me.

  • Member since
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  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
  • 2,311 posts
Posted by jjdamnit on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 2:06 PM

Hello All,

I have several of these vintage Tyco crane sets.

These car sets were one of the first "add on" cars that I received on my first pike as a child.

When I was getting back into this great hobby these were one of the first things I bought along with the starter set. 

I have tried the Kadee Talgo replacement method/system.

Yes, it does convert the Hook-And-Horn couplers to Kadees but it does not solve the problems associated with truck-mounted couplers. 

As others have posted, cut the gearboxes off and body mount the couplers.

Cranes need to be pulled and shoved. With truck-mounted couplers shoving cars can cause derailments.

Body mounting the couplers will alleviate this problem.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

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