I have an A-B-A (powered, dummy, powered) set of Mantua F-7’s. I am lettering the ‘Lead’ unit in memory of a club member and former PRR engineer who passed away last week. I figgure everything will work much beter if I re-configure the units to be powered-powered-dummy. Please let me know if you think my planned re-config is un-necessary.
I am wonderign if anyone has suggestions for close-coupling the units to look more prototypical. Anyone done this before and can share a how-to or at least some parts used and photos? Thanks much!!
I made the conversion on these units several years ago. I am certain I could do better today.
They are now closer than they were originally. I cut the truck-mounted coupler connecting pieces to be shorter and drilled holes for self tapping screws. I installed normal length couplers between the units. Short shanked couplers woul be better. I installed long shank couplers in the pilots. Oddly, underset shank couplers provided corect hight in the pilots, but the couplers between the units are not underset shanks.
If you use short shank couplers using this procedure, you should be okay.
However, you asked for a closer coupling distance. Rather than using the medium length #28 coupler you might try our #23 short shank coupler and if needed trim back the edge of the coupler pocket for a bit of coupler head clearance.
You also could use a #33 coupler and move the screw hole back in the pocket a bit. Other than that you may need to custom body mount a coupler using a #33 coupler.
I had the same dilemma with a 4 unit Stewart (all powered) FT ABBA set and I reverted one B back to a dummy. Not a problem with the short couplers between the 2 B units. The AB’s are on short drawbars, and have a different diaphragm than the two B’s. Remember you are looking for a scale 3 feet. Another hint, I filled the dummy B with sound and it is a great effect! Enjoy! jc5729 John Colley, Port Townsend, WA
