General Discussion (Model Railroader)

I couldn't resist my desire to have the engine, but after I got it, I discovered that the front coupler is not only non working, it is molded on the cow catcher.  I would like to install a working coupler, but it appears that major hacking must be done on the locomotive.  Does anyone have any ideas about how to do it, or should I just give up the thought?

Fred, What is a BWL?  BLI maybe (Broad Limited Imports?)  Is the pilot removeable?  If it's got a plastic pilot, you'll have to cut out the coupler and install a KD coupler boc & coupler - metal will be just a little harder to do.  If the pilot is not removeable, it'll be more difficuly - maybe removing the boiler will help.  My  

I'm a little confused, also.  I know that my BLI Santa Fe northern has an operating pilot coupler, so are you talking about the newer Bachmann Santa Fe Northern?  If so, I think that the non-operating knuckle coupler should be a separate casting, easily removable from in back of the pilot mounting with a small X-acto blade and replaceable with an operating Kadee long-shank coupler and box.  BLW for me means "Baldwin Locomotive Works" which produced all of the prototype Santa Fe 4-8-4's--it doesn't mean much about the MODEL locomotive manufacturer.  

Or do you perhaps have a brass locomotive?  If so, the coupler should be held on by a tiny screw or pin under the pilot.  Simply remove the pin or screw, the coupler will drop right off, and then again, using a drill and tap, you can replace it with a long-shank Kadee. 

The reason I say 'long-shank' is because no matter WHO the model manufacturer is, the Santa Fe 'boiler tube' cow-catchers extended quite a ways out.  You need a long-shank coupler for the trip-pin to clear the point of the pilot. 

Hope this helps. 

Tom