Coupler Height Gauge

[Dave1227]

What couple. height gauge do I use on the Bachmann EZ Track?
The one I bought from Micro-Trains is not wide enough to reach both tracks.

[Terry Toenges]

If you have HO track, then you need an HO gauge. You have an "N" scale gauge there.

[jward]

https://www.kadee.com/206-ho-insulated-muti-purpose-coupler-height-gauge

[Dave1227]

I have N gauge.

[Fred Klein]

Dave, I used to model in N scale and still have my Micro-Trains N-gauge coupler height gauge.  My son has all of my N scale trains plus the track but I still have a piece of N scale EZ track that I use as a programming track when he visits here ("Dad, can you look at this locomotive while I'm here ......"). The Micro-Trains coupler height gauge fits very nicely on top of the track on my EZ track and works very well. Remember, the gauge is designed to fit on the track (rails) itself, not on the roadbed. The rails are supposed to fit into the grooves in the bottom of the gauge and the "shelf" on the lower edge of the gauge is for setting the clearance for the uncoupling lever (looks like a bent hose). Hope this helps.

[Dave1227]

Fred here is what the back of the package has on it and as you should be able to see there are no grooves on the bottom, just two raised areas that look like they are meant to go between the two rails on the inside but they do not

[Dave1227]

Dave, I used to model in N scale and still have my Micro-Trains N-gauge coupler height gauge.  My son has all of my N scale trains plus the track but I still have a piece of N scale EZ track that I use as a programming track when he visits here ("Dad, can you look at this locomotive while I'm here ......"). The Micro-Trains coupler height gauge fits very nicely on top of the track on my EZ track and works very well. Remember, the gauge is designed to fit on the track (rails) itself, not on the roadbed. The rails are supposed to fit into the grooves in the bottom of the gauge and the "shelf" on the lower edge of the gauge is for setting the clearance for the uncoupling lever (looks like a bent hose). Hope this helps.

Fred I just replied but could not figure out how to tag you so I did a separate post in this thread with two images of the back of the package.

[Fred Klein]

Dave, my memory is a bit rusty since its been a while since I used my coupler height gauge. Yes, the two raised areas on the gauge are meant to go between the rails and they are a tight fit, as in you need to put one side  in and then exert a little sideways pressure to seat the other side. They are definitely not a drop-in fit; they are supposed to be snug. One thing you might try is to mount the gauge to different pieces of track - some are looser than others due to normal manufacturing tolerances. Hope this helps.

[Dave1227]

Dave, my memory is a bit rusty since its been a while since I used my coupler height gauge. Yes, the two raised areas on the gauge are meant to go between the rails and they are a tight fit, as in you need to put one side  in and then exert a little sideways pressure to seat the other side. They are definitely not a drop-in fit; they are supposed to be snug. One thing you might try is to mount the gauge to different pieces of track - some are looser than others due to normal manufacturing tolerances. Hope this helps.

Ill check it out and let you know the outcome.

[Dave1227]

Dave, my memory is a bit rusty since its been a while since I used my coupler height gauge. Yes, the two raised areas on the gauge are meant to go between the rails and they are a tight fit, as in you need to put one side  in and then exert a little sideways pressure to seat the other side. They are definitely not a drop-in fit; they are supposed to be snug. One thing you might try is to mount the gauge to different pieces of track - some are looser than others due to normal manufacturing tolerances. Hope this helps.

You were correct, got it to fit, thanks for the help.

[Fred Klein]

Dave, you're welcome.

[Ralph S]

For those who are economically strapped, like myself, there is an alternative to purchasing the "Coupler height gauge".
If you are a user of the EZ track, the Bachmann Hayes Bumper (model 44791) from my experience, the actual bumper is a perfect way to determine if your car is at the correct height.  The Hayes Bumper stop should hit the coupler of the car in the center.  When it does that, you can be sure the car coupler height will be where it should be.
See gauge image in Topic (click for image)
or
use that Bachmann EZ track Hayes bumper.