Front Couplers on Thomas/Percy/James

[MetaDude27]

I was just wondering, has anyone here ever modified their HO scale Thomas, Percy, and/or James so that they could attach a coupling to their front(s)? If so, how did you do it?

P.S. Post a photo of how it turned out, if you'd like.

[SCOTTISH RAILWAYS]

sorry i have chains insted of couplings

[SodorAdventures]

I was just wondering, has anyone here ever modified their HO scale Thomas, Percy, and/or James so that they could attach a coupling to their front(s)? If so, how did you do it?

P.S. Post a photo of how it turned out, if you'd like.

   I used hot glue onto the undercarriage and it worked fine if you can align it proerly

[MetaDude27]

Hot glue comes off okay, right? 'Cause if the coupler breaks, you might have a little dilemma.

[SodorAdventures]

Hot glue comes off okay, right? 'Cause if the coupler breaks, you might have a little dilemma.

   Yeah, just pull it and it will fall right off

[BillingsRR]

Or, another way to get rid of of hot clue is to ethier put the item with hot glue on it in the fridge, or rub on ice cub on it for a while. Now since these are electric models, that may not be the best idea, but it still works.

[jward]

Hot glue comes off okay, right? 'Cause if the coupler breaks, you might have a little dilemma.

   Yeah, just pull it and it will fall right off

if it pulls right off what is the point of using it? i mean, it sounds like you won't be able to pull anything with the coupler glued on like that......

i looked at my percy last night and it appears you'd have to build a mounting pad to screw the coupler into.

[MetaDude27]

That's what I thought you'd have to do. Only problem is I'm not sure how you would do that.

[jward]

i would laminate pieces of strip styrene to the underside of the body to get the proper height to mount a coupler, and use screws to secure the laminated strips to the body. then i'd screw the coupler in place. the only difference i can see specific to these locomotives would be in the size and shape of the coupler mounting pad you make.

[MetaDude27]

Thanks for your help. Maybe I'll try it sometime. (First I should probably finish landscaping my layout. Half of it is pure white like in some sci-fi movie! )

[thomasforever1]

sorry i have chains insted of couplings

Where did you get chains

[PerfectPercy]

Not sure if you are still interested in this, but I wanted to see for myself.

I decided to check this out with Percy. I didn't fasten it or anything, but if you really want an easy way to add a front coupler to Percy, you have just glue/fasten the square spring box to Percy's motor housing on the front of his undercarriage. If you notice the back of the model, there were two stubs that lowered the coupling hook. you need it at the right height so by gluing it in the proper spot, you can avoid this.

You can also attach a coupler to James and Thomas. Their fronts are at the same heights as are the backs of the engines. With Thomas, you can just attach it to his body, but with James, your best way to do it would to attach it to the front bogie.

PerfectPercy