HO couplers

[peri]

Hi to all , I'm a beginner for railroad (and in the forum) and I wish have a little help.
I have some broken couplers in (HO) passenger coaches (McKinley Explorer) and I don't know the type of couplers to choose for replacing them (mark II, medium shank?). ...

Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank's

Perikles

[SteamGene]

If you need to replace broken couplers, then buy Kadee #5s.  You will never have a broken coupler again. 
Gene

[OkieRick]

Will a #5 fit on the back bottom of my 2-10-2 tender?  It's a small box & screw.  Like this... (thanks Yampa Bob)




What size to replace that rear coupler?

Okie?

[Yampa Bob]

I just took the cover off a USRA Medium, the Kadee #148 Whisker is a drop in replacement. It's the same as #5 except with built in springs.

The way the box is molded I don't think there's room for the #5 spring. I had to back off the screw a bit to keep from binding the coupler.

[SteamGene]

A number 5 will fit.
Gene

[Michigan Railfan]

Well, now I have a question. I read on another topic that you could'nt just drop in a Bachmann E-Z mate coupler into the same coupler box as the Horn Hook couplers. I have many cars and loco's with Horn Hook couplers, and I want to replace them. Anyone know anything about this, and what type of coupler I should use?

[Guilford Guy]

Snip off the coupler box, and glue in a Kadee coupler box with a kadee coupler.

[SteamGene]

If you are going to replace a coupler, go to Kaydee.  It's the safest way to go.
Gene

[Yampa Bob]

Gene,
You are correct. I just calipered the shanks at the pivot, #148 is .055" thick, #5 is .050" thick. I don't have any #5 springs, but guess they must be about .005" thick, so either one will work. For me, the 148 assembly is much easier to install.

I cut off/out the factory molded box, and replace with a complete #148 assembly.  I drill and tap the floor and fasten the box with a 2-56 machine screw.

A pair of precision flush cutting end nippers does a great job in removing the old box, which is sometimes recessed.
http://www.vigoroptical.com/46058.html

Contact info.
http://www.vigoroptical.com/info.html

[SteamGene]

I'm starting to use the #148, though I have plenty of #5s.  Accurail sent me a bunch of their new C&O gons and the coupler pocket does not accept the spring of the #5 easily.  So - try the #148.  No disrespect to any other knuckle coupler; I'll use them as long as they work - but when they go bad, Kadee takes their place.
Gene

[OkieRick]

I just took the cover off a USRA Medium, the Kadee #148 Whisker is a drop in replacement. It's the same as #5 except with built in springs.

The way the box is molded I don't think there's room for the #5 spring. I had to back off the screw a bit to keep from binding the coupler.

Somewhere during the Sound addition to that 2-10-2 I lost the screw, box and coupler.  I need all the works.  I haven't purchased Kadee yet - is there a box & screw for the #148?

thanks

[OkieRick]

Well, now I have a question. I read on another topic that you could'nt just drop in a Bachmann E-Z mate coupler into the same coupler box as the Horn Hook couplers. I have many cars and loco's with Horn Hook couplers, and I want to replace them. Anyone know anything about this, and what type of coupler I should use?

I changed all but 4 of my hook-horn cars to knuckle couplers using Scenemaster Couplers:

10 Pair
Walthers Part # 433-1427, p. 259 Walthers 2009 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $7.98, currently in stock at Walthers

* Works with All Other Knuckle Couplers * Constructed of Tough Engineering Plastic * Magnetic Action * Easy Upgrade for Older Life-Like Train Set Cars

They're cheap and work.  Fish out your Hook-Horn & slip these in. 

luck-
Rick

[Michigan Railfan]

Thanks Rick. I'll have to count how many cars and loco's I have that are equipped with Horn-Hook, and see how many of those I have to order.

[RAM]

One other thing.  If you have truck mounted couplers.  You a better off doing a little extra work and body mount the couplers.

[Yampa Bob]

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,4917.0.html