Raising the coupler height to On3 on the new 2-6-6-2

[ksivils]

I realize most On30 modelers don't modify their locomotives and rolling stock to
raise the coupler height to the On3 "standard."

For those who do, I have managed to arrive at a method for the new 2-6-6-2.

The first step was to examine the locomotive that my children got me for
Christmas (what great kids! - they gave me the money and said order it!). To
remove the old coupler and the metal that is molded on the underframe of the
tender and then mount a new Kadee or similar coupler is often all that has to be
done for some Bachmann locomotives.

On the 2-6-0 it is easy as the tender deck is made of plastic. The 2-8-0 and
the OF 4-4-0 require the removal of metal.

The tender deck height of the 2-6-6-2's tender is too low for this to work.
Shimming up the frame is a questionable idea in my mind but doable. It will
require modifying the method of conducting current from the trucks to the
decoder in the tender. I never mess with anything electrical if possible.

While not the perfect solution, this is what I worked out. Keep in mind, my
2-6-6-2 will be used as a road engine only and will not be used for switching.

I pulled out the trusty PSC catalog and ordered PSC part number 7537 - a C&S #60
tender coupler pocket. I also obtained a PSC part number 40166 - another
coupler pocket.

I decided to use a pair of the new San Juan Car Company couplers. I trimmed the
feelers off the ends of both. For my tender mounted coupler I filed the edge of
the end of the shank down in circumference to create more play in the
side-to-side motion of the coupler. I shimmed the coupler shank up with a piece
of styrene underneath the shank.

I shortened a KD coupler screw and used it to permanently mount the shank in the
brass coupler pocket. The coupler moves freely from side to side.

I removed the stock coupler from the tender and with my dremel removed the metal
that protrudes from the underframe as part of the old coupler pocket.

I mounted the new coupler in the PSC casting upside down. There is a lip
protruding on the bottom of the casting. Setting this lip on top of the
underframe positioned the casting at the height it needed to be for the coupler
to be at the desired height.

I initially ACC'd the casting to mount it and check the height of the coupler.
Then a tiny amount of epoxy was added to permanently mount the casting.

On the pilot, I removed the stock coupler and then built up a base made of
styrene on the protruding metal, after removing the braces cast-in on the top of
the coupler pocket. When finished this is essentially a solid block on the pilot
beam with the protrusion made of cast metal and styrene serving as the mounting
point for the PSC casting and coupler.

I had to remove material from the end of the shank again. Be careful or you
will see where the spring that makes the coupler work is hidden! I also removed
a small about of material from the left and right side of the casting from the
rear in the opening for the coupler shank. This increases the side-to-side play
of the coupler.

The same process was used to attach the casting to the locomotive.

I won't be able to switch with ease using this method, but for a locomotive that
is going to just haul the trains around and drop off the consist, I can live
with this method.

I really wish Bachmann would take into consideration that some of us mount
couplers at the On3 coupler height. I have one of the AMS 3000 series box cars.
You just remove two screws and the shim and coupler drops out. Replace the
coupler and the two screws, and your On30 box car now has its coupler at the On3
coupler height!

[hminky]

Bachmann built a true 30 inch locomotive. 99.99% of the people in their market group don't care about three foot gauge or real narrow gauge.

If you want it to represent THREE foot gauge the locomotive is the right size for 55n3. It just needs a new cab.

Harold

[hminky]

If the tender is like the other powered ones it can be raised by putting the shim under the old bolster just use longer screws.



That is the 2-8-0 tender.

Harold

[az2rail]

I must be part of the .01%, as I raise my couplers also. Thanks for posting your conversion method. I don't have my engine yet, but I printed out your method and will keep it in mind when it is time for me to do mine.

Bruce

[mmiller]

thanks for the excellent instructions!

and don't pay too much attention to the peanut gallery...there are quite a few people running On30 with 'basically' On3 standards. Just check out the On30 Annual ...

and even if one isn't worrying about On3 standards, getting the coupler up to the mechanically correct height* makes all the rolling stock look a bit more believable anyway


*the bottom of the floor, even with the top of the wheels, where the load is applied.

[locoron]

Yeah, I raise my couplers also because they are to darn low and don't look right.
I use Kadee 147's. On the 2-6-6-2 I ground the the mounting base on the tender about 1/16 and was able to mount coupler with the Bachmann screw.
On the pilot the 147 brought the height up close enough. Height from top of rail to center of coupler is 1/2 inch.
locoron

[LurchBird]

Thanks for taking the time to write up and share your very informative instructions.

Mark