Bachmann Coupler conversion

[Anonymous]

Can Bachmann N scale, freight cars hook and horn couplers be changed to knuckle type couplers? If so who would make such coupler conversion kits

[nfmisso]

Micro Trains

[AltonFan]

To replace a coupler on a Bachmann freight truck you probably need a Micro-Trains 1128 or 1129, which contain enough material to convert two cars. It will require some intricate work.

I suppose Unimate or Kato knuckle couplers could be installed, but I haven't tried this. (I had trouble installing MDC couplers on more typical equipment, so I don't recommend them.)

Another approach might be find a way to fill in the screw holes with sprue or styrene rod, and drill them to accept Micro-Trains truck bolster pins. Then all you would have to do is replace the trucks.

Personally, unless it's a car nobody else makes, I would just as soon avoid Bachmann freight cars altogether, and buy only freight cars that allowed the trucks to be changed out by pulling a pin. (Memo to Bachmann: Deep six the bolster screws and adopt a bolster pin like everybody else.)

However, if you're going to be in N scale in a serious way, it might be a good learning experience to install 1128/1129 couplers on Bachmann freight trucks. I'd feel a lot better about butchering a cheap freight car than say, the rear tender truck of a Con-Cor Hudson, which IIRC, takes a similar conversion.

Oh, and one more thing: the standard couplers that come with most N scale equipment are Rapido couplers. The description "horn-hook coupler" generally indicates the X2F coupler used on HO equipment.

[krump]

being from Canada, I thought that "Overdrive" was the coupler used for Bachmann - Turner connections [:D][:D][:D], they were called BTO, sang songs about American Woman too.

- better info provided in the previous post though, obviously I'm way off topic

[AltonFan]

Just "takin' care of business (everyday)".