Bachman Spectrum Passenger cars

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

What is the best way to modify the couplers on the Bachman Spectrum Passenger cars? I’m having an uncoupling problem due to the vertical play in the coupler.I have 30 inch radius track, would Kadee #5 couplers and boxes in a fixed body mount work ? Thanks.

2

trainguy,

go out and buy some KAdee washers install them in the couplers if possible to make the verticle slack disappear. I believe they come in .10, .15 and .30

3

Body mounting the Kadee 5’s is the only way to go. Just check on how much the box needs to be shimmed down to match the Kadee coupler height tool. You will have no problem on 30" radius with this set up.

4

I had the same problem. My LHS suggested Kadee “shelf couplers” They solved everything. The only problem is they do not uncouple as easily, but I don’t make and break my passenger trains as part of op sessions. I just run them, and with the shelf couplers, there are NO problems. I have added them to a couple other finiky cars as well.

5

I really wrote the response about shelf couplers. My grandson was posting under my login, and then changed to his and then I was posting under his. That happens when he visits.

6

I use mine at train shows and instaled KD118 couplers and have never looked back. You can cut the top shelf off for easier 0-5-0 uncoupling. They go over the most uneven track you can imagine.

7

It’s simple. Buy the body mounting pads from Jay-Bee and follow the directions. Item No. 369-118 at www.walthers.com

Each package does three cars. You pop off the roof, disconnect the stupid crank mechanism, remove the old mount, drill a bigger hole, glue in the new pad, then screw a Kadee box to it.

Paul A. Cutler III

Weather Or No Go New Haven

8

Many thanks for the suggestions. I think I’m going to try the Jay Bee mounts for the ajustability.Thanks again.

9

BTW, watch for coupler height problems even with the JayBee pads. The floors can be warped on the cars causing the couplers to hang low. On some of my cars, I needed medium overshank Kadees to get the heights, but not on others. @*(!$^%#!!! Spectrum.

Paul A. Cutler III

Weather Or No Go New Haven