What type Kadee truck mounted coupler would I use for Rivarossi passenger cars? More specifically a Pullman roomette, RPO and Parlor car, all with 4 wheel trucks.
I asked a similar question a few months ago because I was having trouble figuring out which Kadee coupler to get and how the installation worked based on the drawing they show. Someone recommended McHenry replacements, so I ordered some from a local shop. They come with a complete drawbar that just snaps into place on the Rivarossi truck. It couldn’t be easier.
I ran them all day at a show recently without any problems. I think you’d want their #52 model for four wheel trucks.
Jim
You would need this: http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page508.htm
Takes a little effort, but produces a good-running car.
Not sure if the McHenry ones are still made, and they would be less than reliable.
I used the JayBee coupler mounting pads and Kadee 148 body-mounted couplers on all of mine. The long tongue sticking out from the truck mounted couplers invariable sags and the couplers start snagging on turnouts or coming uncoupled. Body mounted couplers solves this problem.
McHenry couplers are now part of the Athearn group.
Thanks for the help. I have some couplers coming from a third party.
I have gone with the KD bolster adapters as well as the McHenry snap-in couplers. But long term reliability comes from the body mounting as cacole mentions.
On all of my Rivarossi/IHC passenger cars and god knows I have a lot of em I used Kadee #5 and body mounted the couplers. I liked the way the cars looked more prototypical around curves etc. I will say though if you have smaller radius curves the truck mounted couplers work better.but the McHenry replacements are by far the easiest. you could switch out an entire set of cars less then 5 minutes
One thing you have to look at carefully is if your car has 33" or 36" wheels to get the correct coupler height. With 33", you file off a rib on the top of the supplied bolster; with 36" you need to file away part of the rib on the truck frame. I know this is an unconventional idea, but read the instructions carefully. I had to do it more than once to understand what Kadee means.
[edit] or, was it the other way around??? I need to look at that instruction sheet again! [%-)][:D]
I know other people have luck with the Mc Henry couplers, I was not one of them. I now use long shank Kadee couplers and screw mount them. Cars stay coupled now.
Ken
The couplers on mine will have to be truck mounted. While body mounted couplers look great on passenger cars they don’t work on 18" radius at all.
Jeff, while most of my cars are short Con-Cor cars, my few heavy weight cars will take a 18 inch turn. The key for me has been the long shank Kadee’s.
Ken
Jeff, Unfortunately your right they work a lot better then they look thats for sure. Although the one’s Ken uses from Kadee do look interesting I have three modern smooth side heavy weights I just might have to try them on.