I have read several articles/posts regarding the flaky pivoting couplers that come stock on the Bachmann Spectrum Heavyweight Passenger Cars.
The consensus seems to be that body mounting new couplers would be the best fix.
Has anyone successfuly modified any of these cars and, if so, how and what new couplers did you use?
Thanks,
Doug
There are two runs of the Spectrum HW.
The first version coupler box pivots freely but this allows for
considerable play up and down, sideways and may cause coupling misaligment and drooping or cause the trip pin to hang up.
As possible solution may be to remove the coupler pocket & linkage.
Then drill through the hole that’s already there with a 1/8" drill bit.
Install & glue a JAY-BEE coupler pad, part #118, enough for three cars.
Wait to dry then install a KD #5 box to the pad with the supplied screw.
All these recommendations courtesy of Paul Cutler III.
I own the second run that just required a KD drop in.
I have body mounted the couplers on one of my Bachmann Heavyweight cars. One of the coaches. It was fairly simple once you remove the stock mounting system. Then I just built up the area where the new coupler pocket was to go with some styrene material and glued in a standard Kedee coupler pocket in place and drilled and tapped the pocket so I could use a 2-56 screw to hold the coupler in place. I then installed number 58 scale couplers. When I do the rest of my cars I’m going to use Coach Yards adjustable coupler pockets to make it easier to get the spacing between cars closer.
I have a Bachman 4-car set. How do you tell the difference between “old run” and “new run”? [8]
The Coach Yard adjustable coupler pockets sound like a good idea. The couple of sets that I had body mounted w/ #5 in their boxes was not that difficult, however finding proper positioning of the 2-56 mounting screw was. You still need some clearance at the diaphrams as not to bind pending your min radius. Spectrum diaphrams are fairly ridged and have no give. An operating diaphram like American Limited may improve performance and allow a closer spacing.
One note: if linkage needs to be removed, the roof must be removed for access. Be careful of the lighting contact strips that run up between the windows, they can be damaged easily.
Bob K.
What is the minimum radius you can run if you body mount the couplers on these cars? Will they take 22 radius?
Guessing, it would appears that both modelers have the first version. I had seven of the second
run, and KD’s were a drop in. I sold six of them but held onto the Obs car that I’m looking at right now.
My original seven handled 22" There’s a little more lateral truck swing, then the Budds that
require 24"
This Saturday, courtesy of 4884 Bigboy we will attempt to body mount a KD coupler box
with Jay-Bee mounting pads on the first run. Then we will be able to see if this conversion
restricts lateral swing on 22"
Then there’s always the KD 454 swing backet, http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page113.htm
I have never heard of Jay-Bee. Who are they? I do have a first run set of PRR Spectrums, and the coupling is terrible due to the play of the couplers. I have thought about going the Kay-Dee rout with the swing pads.
Interesting to learn that a second run was done that seemingly corrected the coupler issues. Guess I have the first run. On the one hand, Kadees were a drop-in; on the other hand, I’ve experienced many break-in-twos because of the vertical play in the coupler system. I’m re-building my layout after a house move and this particular issue is on the back burner.
Yup, This Saturday locomotive3 and I will attempt to fix these Spectrums. They’re good cars, really, they just have a few problems out of the box. Also the lighting is kinda cheezy, only one light per car…
JB’ees KD Body mount’s should correct Spectrum’s (and other’s) coupling problem’s, as They convert cars to solid body mounting.
Donald.
You are on call. Should Bigboy & I have a problem, we will be calling the Pacific NW and you
can talk us through the procedure.