Every Athearn BB caboose kit I’ve built has very low couplers. Even with 2 washers they ride low and snag on my 30-degree crossing …I’ve ordered some couplers from Kadee that will help some, but am just wondering if this is a common issue for older kits built during the HH couplers days, or …?
No…Sounds like the frame or floor is warp causing the coupler to sag…
Is it possible for you to post a picture?
I’ll try and take some pix with my Blackberry tonight!
Hmmm, my personal experience is that every Athearn BB kit is low except the caboose. Usually one red Kadee washer on each axle will fix a normal car up. Sometime the ice-reefers require two black Kadee washers.
As you are undoubtedly aware the caboose has a totally different body/frame arrangement than the standard of the other cars. It is the only car I know of that has frame screws as well as the bolster/truck screws. It is also the only car where the plastic frame piece is on the bottom of the coupler instead of the top. Many people will put the #5 Kadee coupler spring on the frame (just like they do normally) only to find that it then ends up under the coupler instead of over the coupler. However, that would make the hook too high not to low so I am still puzzling your problem. I am wondering if the caboose couplers are just drooping. Have you tightened the screws that hold the plastic framework piece to the bottom of the car too tightly? That could make the ends droop. Make certain the ends of the coupler pockets are up flush against the bottom of the car.
Of course my view of the world is also tainted because I usually add lighting to the caboose so that the trucks get more “sprung” than normal pushing the body up higher.
They might very well be drooping, but I wasn’t sure what my recourse was in that regard - you think I may have over tightened the frame screws? this might cause the coupler pockets to sag a bit?
Since you’ve got a Milwaukee logo as your signature, note that Walthers has their Platinum Line bay window Milwaukee cabeese on sale right now. (Go to “Advanced Search” and enter “Milwaukee Caboose.”) The price on the flat-side models is low enough that it looks like they’re closing out the line, so if you’re thinking of going with these Transition Era prototypes, now’s the time.
I’ve got two of the flat-siders and one of the rib-side models. They’re very nice models, and they come with interiors. I’m going to add some more interior details and lighting to mine if I can ever figure out how to get the shell off.
I do remember installing Kadees at the proper height was pretty common in the early days of the BB waycar. Then, the problem was the spring coupler box plate that never keep the couplers from drooping, both the Kadees with the straight trip pin the current Kadees with the glad hands. In the early 60’s I had to use shims under every waycar I bought. And I seem to remember cutting the coupler box loose from the frame and remounting them without the Athearn cover plate on the box. I quit using the Athearn cars and eventually tried other brands. Today the Centrailia Shops (InterMountain) are my cabeese of choice, much more expensive, but much more satisfactory in looks and clearance.
Bob
Yes, it is worth checking. In the past in a few instances I have actually glued the coupler box to the bottom of the car. Had to be careful not to get the glue inside the box, AND one just caused a huge headache for the next time it had to be taken apart!
No, I’ve never had any problem with low couplers on any of my Blue-Box cars. In fact, the best-running cabooses (and railcars) I own came from those old kits.
I do not find that unusual. I have obtained some Athearn 40 foot box cars that usually need a Red Kadee space between the bolster and truck. Not a big deal
Rich
Note that Kadee no. 5 standard couplers have the shank connected in the middle of the coupler. You can get them with an “underset shank”, where shank is connected to the bottom part of the coupler, so the coupler’s head sits relatively higher. That sometimes will cure the problem with Athearn BB cars or other too-low cars without shimming.
Yep, that’s what I referred to in the OP … hate to spend the $$$ on special couplers if it’s a problem I’m causing, though, in the construction process. thanks for the help, all!
I’ve got two of the Athearn BB cabeese–one was low, the other one was just right. Where I’ve run into low coupler problems was on most of their reefer kits. Even with snapping the coupler boxes securely into the slots on the end castings, I’ve needed additional height so that the couplers don’t ‘drag’. Kadee red washers clears that right up, though.
Also, that coupler box bottom on the caboose underframe REALLY needs to be snapped in tight!
Tom
I’ve got all three types of Athearn BB cabooses, and my problem is just the opposite. The wide vision cabooses will accept Kadee no. 5s with no problem, but the bay window and standard cupola cabooses actually need their couplers lowered somewhat. So I put no. 22, 32, or 42 couplers with lower hanging knuckles on the bay window and standard cupola cabooses.
If I recall correctly, the weight, which is supposed to sit atop the floor, is held in place by two screws which are to be driven down from above - through the weight and the floor and threaded into the underframe. This snugs-up the coupler cover plate, which is part of the frame. Is there a chance that the weight is bent, with the ends bowed down?
Another cause of low couplers on these cabooses can be the lugs on the body casting not being fully engaged in the slots just inboard of the end platforms - this can force the platforms downward, resulting in low couplers.
Wayne
I also check to see if the weights are bent, thanks
I rebuilt an Athearn bay window caboose and the couplers came out at exactly the right height, although I used Tahoe Model Works trucks. I also sectioned the floor and frame, which allowed me to permanently attach the platforms to the body, while still leaving the major part of the floor removeable should interior access ever be required - this allowed the platforms to sit level, which they didn’t when the floor was a single piece.
Wayne