I just changed over to HO and am using the Milwaukee beer line switching layout. I am running two SD 24’s but hardly any of my older freight cars match up. They all look the same but are different heights. There are only 7 cars on my lay out so far, so will use them for static display and buy new ones to build up my fleet. Is there some way to make sure my new cars will match up to my two new 24’s? Would buying all the same make of cars be a good idea? Thanks for your help. Ashton
Ashton,
Coupler height often needs adjusting, even when the manufacturer gets it right. Couplers can droop, get dislodged or broken, or otherwise have troubles that correcting will fix the coupler height. On the other hand, sometimes the mounting pad is just at the wrong height and you’ll need to adjust.
Kadee offers a coupler height gauge that is very handy to have to make testing for correct height an easy task.
Kadee also offers couplers in over-set and under-set shank styles. That way, the coupler box can stay where it is and the coupler itself is designed to account for the incorrect height, because sometimes it’s easier to do that than rework the coupler mount.
I don’t know who made your SD24’s but it’s important to make sure the couplers on them are the proper height. Some new locos I bought had Kadee-clone couplers on them. The height issues of these were my problem.
I have an old Atlas/Roco SD35 I recently refurbished and found the frame was slightly bent when I went to check the coupler height.
A little judicious pressure and things were evened out end-to-end.
A coupler height gauge is really an essential tool. Checking and adjusting heights is an inherent part of getting rolling stock ready for the layout.
The other tool you must have is an NMRA track gauge. It has a couple of slots for checking the gauge of the wheels. If they’re out, you’ll have problems with derailments at turnouts and crossings, if you have any.
Fixing out-of-gauge wheels is just a matter of gently twisting one wheel closer or farther from the other, as the case may be.
Coupler height takes a bit more investigation to fix, sometimes changing couplers, sometimes shimming the coupler boxes, sometimes putting washers between the trucks and the car body to lift the couplers to the correct height.
Check Kadee’s website for more information:
http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/coupler.htm
Eric
Hello Ashton,
Welcome to a big part of the model railroading learning curve, “the knuckle coupler upgrade” Because of the size HO coupler tolerances can be quite finicky. To do the job properly follow the advice and links previously posted on the Kadee tools and conversion chart. The NMRA gauge will also serve you well.
For ease of installation identify a car you wish to uprade with knuckle couplers, check conversion kit for coupler to use for that installation. Follow the directions for correct installation. Check work against coupler height gauge.
I am going to send you a PM on this subject that I covered extensively in my model railroading blog.
Hope this helps
What brands are your old cars? Athearn blue box are easy to fix.
Thanks for all the help guys. Some times when all else fails, its time to read the directions. Going back to the basics is something we forget to do. Ashton