At first I though it for a train to pass through,  then looked again and thought maybe it was for a truck to back into.  Can't tell if there is an opening in the rear wall for track or a truck to pass through.  Anyone know for sure?

I'm awaiting delivery of a Bachmann SD40-2 Diesel that is DCC ready.  I run straight DC.  Is there anything I must do the locomotive before I run it on DC?

Thank you to all who replied with suggestions. I took Len's suggestion and tried the Kadee 451 couples.  They worked perfectly.  Now that I see how the 451's operate, the suggestion to use MDC/Roundhouse trucks from older passenger cars could also work.  I found two trucks from Athearn heavyweight passenger cars.  The trucks are much too big to use but if you cut off just the coupler arm it can be installed on the car bottom as a swing arm. Drill a small hole thru the arm and attach it to the car bottom with a small bolt & nut. Tight enough to hold the arm in place and loose enough to allow the arm to swing.  A Kadee #5 can then be installed in the coupler pocket.  It will work just like to Kadee #451.  The cut-off arm is about and inch and a half long.  It can be shortened to an inch or so, like the #451, and still provide adequate swing. Unfortunately, this set-up will not allow the arm to recenter itself.  That's what the brakeman is for.  Again, thanks to all.

Thanks.  I ordered one pair to see how they will work.  I checked the car bottom and I can remove the horn hooks (and save them) and turn the trucks around to allow space for the Kadees. The trucks coupler insert does not interfere with the operation when they are turned so I won't have to cut the old coupler pocket off.  Sometimes things acutally work they way you want them to.

Walt
LIRRMAN

Thanks Wayne:
I have two of the long box cars so I will need 4 of those MDC coupler arms.  I will buy them from you.  Let me know how to handle this.

Walt5139229104
LIRRMAN

Wayne:
I appreciate the offer.  The cars already have their original horn hooks and they work.  I was trying to up grade to Kadee knuckle couples.  The previous suggested Kadee 451 swing arm couples may just work.  I'll give them a try but I'll keep you in mind.  Can a Kadee couple be installed on the MDC units you mentioned?  Thanks again.

Walt
LIRRMAN

Kadee 451 looks promising.  Looks like it's worth a try.  Thanks.  I'll  practice on a junk car before I play in the real game

Recently purchased Bachmann Auto-Train passenger cars and auto box cars.  The dome cars are easily converted to Kadee couples but the box cars are a different story.  The trucks are set back from the car end and the original horn hooks are extra long (McHenry #53 length) with the small round hole and centering spring on one side, standard vintage horn hooks.  McHenrys are too wide to adapt and body mounting won't work on the 70' cars, even on broad turns.  I'm using one of the dome cars as a conversion car with a horn hook on one end to couple with the box cars.  I'm even concerned that I may not even be able to replace the horn hooks if one of the originals break.  I've never seen horn hooks that long except Rivarossi/AHM which install completely different.  Mr. Bach Man, does Bachmann have knuckle couplers that will do the job?  Any other suggestions or do I live with the conversion set-up which is not the end of the world?  Thanks.
LIRRMAN

I need to repair a U36B auto-train with the older 8 wheel drive chassis - the heavy one.  I'm finding a lot of U36B and GP40 (same chassis) locomotives on e-bay but rarely does the seller show the engine with the shell off or even the bottom of the locomotive so I'm not able to identify the chassis I need to salvage parts.  Is there a way to identify the type of motor/chassis from the box number, if it's the original box, or engine number on the side of the cab or some other way?

Did I miss something.  You knew what was coming??

Does any one know if the U-Boat shell from the Bachmann Auto Train will fit on the chassis of an Athearn U-Boat

Had to read it twice before I got it.  Nice touch.  Lynbrook L.I. to Cincy OH.  FYI.  I have a GS4, DCC & Sound.  Backing trouble due to wires between loco and tender so I now use the PLUS version.  Thanks.

Yes-but the seller identified it as a cab forward so I'm a bit suspicious. I'm going to pass on this but I was hoping to figure out a way of identifying.  Thanks for your help.

Try hoseeker.com.  You just might find a manual.

Thanks all.  No wires so it's either an original standard line or a Bachman Plus.  Since I'm looking at a picture can it be determined if its a standard or a plus?