coupler issues

[Anonymous]

I am having trouble with the couplers on my Bachmann Spectrum Heavyweight passenger cars. They are integrated with the trucks, supposedly to make them cut tighter turns but the coupler is very sloppy and when you begin to pull the line the couplers shift upward and come apart at the slightest track level change. Is the a way to eliminate this feature and install more conventional couplers or is there a way to fix the existing ones. Any references would help.
Thanks,
David

[Anonymous]

I had a set of those HO cars. Sold them put kepted one as I am looking at it now.

The couplers are body mounted but pivot on a swing bracket as the truck turns.

The EZ coupler itself does not hold together as you pointed out and more so depending upon the # of cars you are pulling.

According to the KD coupler coversion chart in the Walthers reference book, the car takes a KD# 27,
a raised coupler head.

On tighter curves 454+36 and I don't know what this means.

They was more than one run of these cars. The second run had a much better coupler mount and the
instruction sheet is not dated.

You can also go to www.kadee.com/conv/list.htm to
see the recommended conversions as previously stated.

If you still don't understand or have further questions go to www.kadee.com and on the left hand
of the page is CONTACT IFOR. Click on this, then click on E-Mail and their questionaire reply form pops up.

Sent it to Sam Clarke, coupler conversion technician. This is what Sam gets paid for.

I was un-happy with the couplers, too much wheel drag and poor lighting so I sold them.

Any more questions you can e-mail me at
[e-mail]

[Sperandeo]

Hello David,

I've come to prefer body-mounting Kadee no. 5 couplers on passenger cars of all legnths. This may not work on the sharpest curves, but if you have curves of 30"-radius or larger it is the most reliable coupler installation I've found.

Go the the MODEL RAILROADER home page (click on the MR logo at left), then click on "Maintenance" and "Standards for Passenger Cars" to find an explanation of the coupler (and diaphragm) standards I follow.

Good luck with your cars,

Andy

Andy Sperandeo
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine

[Anonymous]

I messed around with my remaining Bachmann Spectrum car and came to the following conclusions.
As stated before my car has horrendous wheel grade and becomes most noticable up grade.
Should one upgrade these lighted cars, the replacements have to be insulated too.

I find the coupler box to small to accomodate the
spring leaf.

You will need a fine pointed jeweler's phillips
head screwdriver to remove the miniture coupler box screw otherwise you will strip out the head.
The #5 fits but is it the most functionable and are you operating these cars on all level track?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info, I will have to upgrade the couplers and see what I get. The radius is a bit tight since it's in my living room. I may just put these on a shelf untill I get my layout into a dedicated room. Thanks
David