Problem with Bachmann 70T Switcher

[tankertoad135]

Many moons ago, I decorated a Bachmann 70t lokey for our club.  Well, the main gears all broke on the puppy after several years of service and I found replacement gears through Shapeways.  They fit perfectly and the lokey ran well with them.  However, I have enountered a major problem attempting to reinstall the couplers.  I used Kadees on it when it first went into service, and when I tried to reinstall the couplers, they would not fit.  That has me totally baffled and no matter what I attempted, I cannot get the couplers installed.  I went to Kadee and acquired a new set of the couplers they recommended, and they do not fit.  The problem is the screw hole no longer allows a coupler to fit over it which is really strange as the coupler fit over it before.  No modifications have been made to the coupler mount.

I am on the verge of ordering a new shell and try again using Bachmann's couplers.  I do not want to use those couplers as the club standard is Kadees.  However, after two nights and 10 hours of working the issue, I have no solution.

Any recommendations short of scrapping the Kadee couplers and using a sprung coupler from Athearn.  They are plastic, but I know they will fit.

["JaBear"]

Gidday Don, I’ve been uncertain how to phrase my reply, indeed somewhat loathe as to actually posting it, but I think that the old proverb, “Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread” is apt. Especially as the Bear could never be confused for an Angel!!

 

I had a look at my Bachmann 70 tonner, which has only been placed on the programming track, then put back into the box, so still has its original Bachmann Ez mate long shank coupler, which I removed.

 

First up, using brand new Kadee coupler parts, I found that the hole in the # 634 centering spring needed enlarging, with a small round file to fit over the “pin” (??) with the threaded hole.

 

Secondly, using a standard #5 coupler, which in itself is a tight fit, I found that doing the screw that hold s the cover down even slightly firmly made the coupler movement too tight for my taste.

 

Now I see that the Kadee conversion chart, for the Bachman 70 tonner recommends a #21 coupler but note that the #141 “Whisker” coupler is the direct alternative, which, for space reasons, is the one I’d opt for.

 

The above, however doesn’t address your actual query, and here’s where the Bear rushes in. With the general tightness of the couple box and installation, I’m wondering, if the threaded pin, with tightening down the cover, in the past, hasn’t slightly mushroomed at the top of the pin making it even wider, and thus harder (impossible?) to fit the centering spring and coupler.

 

Possibly not even worth , Cheers, the Foolish Bear.

[snjroy]

I cannot provide any advice with respect to the coupler issue - I've had no problems with mine and I kitbashed a few engines with that frame and motor. But what did you think of the replacement gears from Shapeways? Have you had them for a while?

Simon

 

[tankertoad135]

Thanks for the replies Gents.

Simon;  time and use will tell regarding the Shapeways gears.  I did note the Shapeways gears are noticeably "beefier" than the as delivered gears.  I shall post more info as I get the lokey running on the club layout where it will see quite a bit of use.

[Woke Hoagland]

My guess is that the post has 'mushroomed' a bit where the screw has forced the threading out in being tightened -- bet it's a self-tapping expanding, not cutting, screw.  A little judicious opening of the hole with a rattail file ought to get the couplers to fit just fine.