Dropped skeleton car

[rrjTooele]

I was setting up a simple loop of track for my 90-year-old Dad to run using a forney and some skeleton log cars and cupola-less caboose. My 21-year-old nephew in his zeal to help me unpacked the log cars and dropped one on the floor. Of course it's the more fragile part that broke - a coupler. How easy is it to replace the coupler and where can I get another?

Thank you.

[ChrisS]

It's about 2 minutes to change. Just that little Phillips screw under the coupler pocket, any hobby shop carrying bachmann parts or kadee couplers. Just a couple of dollars

[Jim Banner]

Your local hobby shop should have couplers.  If not E-Z Mate, then Kadee brand.  Take the car with you and the person at the hobby shop should be able to show you how.

When cars make a trip to the floor, it is often the coupler that breaks.  In a way, it is fortunate that the damage is to a widely available, easy to replace part rather than some special piece that is hard to find.  You may want to pick up a few extra couplers and a small Phillips screw driver while you are at it.

Jim

[Tomcat]

Hi there,

you can get a replacement coupler or go for a HO Kadee coupler.

You should be fine with a Kadee No.5 coupler- please look for the center shank couplers,
there are others which can improve the coupler height a bit, but you´re fine with the standard height.
They´re available in plastic or metal version. If you look for something more sturdy, go for the metal couplers... I do. Can recommend this.

Cheers, Tom

[ebtbob]

The best advice given here is to take the car to your local store if possible because it is not a given that Kadee products will fit the Bachmann coupler boxes,  especially the KD 5 that requires the brass centering plate.   I have been able to convert some of my Bachmann On30 cars with KDs,  but my two bay hoppers will not take KD couplers without some bit of modifications to the coupler boxes.

[NarrowMinded]

Check the couplers on the caboose they are likely the same as the Log cars if they are you can take one off the "rear" of the caboose for a temporary solution, that way you can run them all until you get the new coupler.

NM

[rrjTooele]

Thank you, everyone, for your help. I'll take it to the shop near my Dad's place next weekend when I visit my folks and see what they can do. This is a great community!