Bachmann RF-16 A and B unit, How to couple closer.

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have just bought two RF-16’s from bachmann (A and B) and I want to make them couple closer, I believe they are 14" (scale) off, Thanks Mike

2

If you’re going to have them running together all the time, you could switch the couplers out with a drawbar. That’s probably the easiest way to get a closer coupling.

3

Or you could use a Kadee coupler with a shorter than standard shank.

Rotor

4

This may work. They are 1/32 inch shorter than #5’s, and will close the gap by 1/16 inch.

http://www.kadee.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?cart_id=1218910467.1086&product=Couplers!HO_Scale&pid=23

If you need them closer, you may need to modify the coupler mount.

Rotor

5

Thanks for all the replies, now a couple questoins first a drawbar, how would i make one that looks good or get one.
As for couplers, will a 1/16 of a inch be 14 scale inches? I am new at alot of this, still learning, Thanks MIke

6

No, 1/16 will only result in an HO scale reduction of about 5.44 inches, if my math is correct. But it’s better than nothing. And it was the best thing I found with a quickie search of kadee.com.

I didn’t see an RF-16 conversion listed, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a better solution.

Rotor

7

If you’re modelling in HO scale, 1/16 of an inch is roughly 5.5 inches

8

Most folks make a drawbar from a piece of styrene plastic strip. Drill a couple holes the desired distance for the coupler mount screws to attach the drawbar. Paint it flat black, maybe weather it, and it blends in to the consist.

Rotor