Body Mount Couplers

Garden Railroading
1

I have no idea whatsoever about how to install body mount couplers. I also don’t know what height they should be etc.
Perhaps someone can enlighten me about this subject.
Thanks
Scott

2

I have put body mount Kadee couplers on all of my rolling stock. The Kadee 830, a black G-scale coupler, or 920, a rust colored #1 scale coupler, can be used. I think the 920 has a more realistically sized knuckle. These couplers come two to a package with the coupler pocket, screws, springs, and instructions; including the recommended height.

Depending on the manufacturer of your rolling stock, changing to body mounted couplers can require major modifications such as cutting away some material to raise the coupler. or shimming under the coupler pocket to lower it. You also have to cut the coupler-mounting tongue from the stock trucks. G-scale rolling stock is the worst of all for diffferences in height above the railhead between manufacturers.

There’s no simple answer – every brand requires a different approach. There was more information posted on this topic a couple of weeks ago. I suggest that you try to locate those other threads and read through them for more information.

Modification is not for the uninitiated or those who do not have a good supply of modeling tools and supplies, such as a dremel, X-Acto knives, glues, drills, etc.

3

Scott I’m going to assume your taking about Kadee’s. Their’s you attach to the car body with a screw. They also have a height gauge which is really a coupler mounted to a block of cast aluminum that you sit on the rails and roll your car up to it to determine if you can mount directly with no shims or notching required. There has been a couple of threads around here on Kadee’s, maybe try a search. they’ve covered selection, pro and cons of them, de-valueing in terms of resale etc.

Check out www.kadee.com

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24798

4

Thanks for the Info. I’ll Look into the kadee rusty ones. The car itself is scratch built and has a high deck so i have som e maneuvering roon.
Thanks again
Scott