I have one of the old Lionel giraffe circus cars in HO that I would like to be able to run as part of my circus train when the grandkids visit. I need to convert it to Kadee couplers. The coupler is built in as part of the truck. When I took it apart, the coupler actually has a pin on it to fit into a hole in the housing. Does anyone know who makes a truck that will accept Kadees that would be compatible or does Kadee make couplers that have a similar pin? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
I’ve never been much for using model railroad cars as collectors items, I buy stuff to run. That said this might be wort an exception. If you alter the Lionel car it’s resale value to someone collecting Lionel could be significantly changed. You might want to consider “conversion cars” with couplers which would mate with the Lionel couplers and thus preserve the car in its’ original condition.
Just a thought.
Dale
Sounds challenging, these cars go back to the mid 60’s. Go to www.kadee.com and scroll
down to “E-Mail” and send it to Sam Clarke, coupler conversion specialist.
Kadee makes trucks with coupler (also called Talgo trucks). Here’s their page for the Bettendorf model http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page100.htm I would think most well stocked hobby shops would have these or could order them.
Enjoy
Paul
Here’s a link to the .pdf file for converting Lionel passenger cars using No. 24s:
http://www.kadee.com/conv/pdf/l338.pdf
Don’t know if applies to giraffes.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543
Thanks very much for the replies. This is not really a collectible. I bought it for $10. Just a neat gimmick to attract the kids. I participate in some module shows and the circus train is always a hit, especially the cages with the snakes and animals. A giraffe poking his head out the top of the car is bound to draw attention. I’ll let you know how I make out. Anything that I can do to kids interested in model railroading is all good.
I’ve converted a lot of my Lionel HO cars to Kadee couplers using the original trucks.
To do it, I take off the coupler box cover and remove the old coupler. If there’s a cast pin in the box I insert a washer made from the upper part of a Kadee #5 coupler box, then insert an undershan coupler.
If there’s no cast pin in the box, I use a toothpick to create a pin (about 3 / 16" long) that I insert into the hole in the coupler box. I then add the washer and underslung coupler.
The later solid frame trucks have a funky coupler box that can’t easily be converted. Better to go with Kadee’s trucks.
cbq9911a, looking at it, the toothpick trick might work. I’ll play around and see. Thanks.