Model Power HO TOFC couplers

[rclanger]

I have half a dozen of the above cars that have the horn/hook coupler and truck in one piece.  I want Kadee couplers.  I did not see a truck/coupler combination availabe from Kadee.

 What do I need to get and do?

Thanks,

Bob

[Anonymous]

I would recommend all new cars, as your first choice. The Model Power TOFC cars never existed in real life and are very low quality. Athearn makes some TOFC cars, and if you can find an Athearn Impack set, it's a 5-unit articulated spine car that carries trailers. Kadee couplers simply drop in as body mounted (the Model Power cars have truck mounted couplers) couplers. Great for the price if you can find one at a swap meet or online. They're out of production. I have two sets, and while they're not as detailed as the newer (and much more expensive) Athearn RTR or Genisis cars, they're many times better than the Model Power cars.

If you want to keep the Model Power cars, you can convert them to bidy mounted couplers with a few simple tools. First, you'll need a drill-and-tap set to drill holes into the body of the car. Remove the trucks, and cut off the couplers where the shank attaches to the truck. Test fit a Kadee coupler box (they come with the couplers) on the underframe where the coupler will be mounted. Drill and tap the hole there, and use short screws to attach the coupler boxes with the couplers in them. Reattach the trucks and you're in buisness!

Good luck!

[jrbernier]

Bob,

  A couple of choices here:

• Kadee trucks/coupler in a 'talgo' type mount:  http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page100.htm
• Body mount the Kadee couplers - You will need to build up a mounting pad for the coupler with styrene material.

  Myself, I would not waste the time/expense on these cheap MP cars. 

Jim