I have a few of the Genesis Trinity 5161 covered hopper cars. Today I started pulling some out of he box to install Kadee #5s but quickly found out that they are one of the few modern cars in which #5s don’t work. The Kadee site says #78s. Has anyone installed #78s or somethign else in them ? Are they drop in replacements or do I have to cut the coupler box and such ? They are really nice cars. I am not wanting to carve on them, if possible.
A lot of guys uses 78s…I thought it was the CENTERING SPRING that wouldn’t fit…I am going to try the new 148 “whisker” coupler on my next 5161.
I’ll let you know. I just had the LHS order me some 78s today. It looks like a 158 may also work since it is smaller than a 148. I’ll look tomorrow to see if the LHS has any 158s in stock.
Cool! Thanks!
FYI, I did check my LBF Trinity Covered Hoppers that were still in the box. They will take #5s as a drop in replacement.
No luck on 148s or 158s for the Genesis units. The coupler body is too wide for the coupler pocket. 148s and 158s can drop in a standard #5 pocket but not a narrow pocket like on the Genesis cars. I also notice that the srping tension on the 148s is not as high as the #5 springs.
If you would have researched a little further you would see that Kadee is still the answer. The 178 is the only replacement that works. It’s the completely assembled, narrow, semi-scale coupler with draft gear. you don’t take these apart, they won’t work taken apart, as in they won’t center or retract from swinging if you do. You will need to shave back the Athearn draft gear and drill a hole to attach the 178 draft gear. You are basically taking off the old and replacing the new completely.
If you don’t want to do the conversion, don’t throw out the old plastic crap, because then it’s your only option.
you go to this link http://www.kadee.com/conv/hocc11.htm you can scroll down to the car in question and download a nice printable
[quote user=“Neutrino”]
If you would have researched a little further you would see that Kadee is still the answer. The 178 is the only replacement that works. It’s the completely assembled, narrow, semi-scale coupler with draft gear. you don’t take these apart, they won’t work taken apart, as in they won’t center or retract from swinging if you do. You will need to shave back the Athearn draft gear and drill a hole to attach the 178 draft gear. You are basically taking off the old and replacing the new completely.
If you don’t want to do the conversion, don’t throw out the old plastic crap, because then it’s your only option.
you go to this link http://www.kadee.com/conv/hocc11.htm you can scroll down to the car in question and download a nice printable
It’s relativly easy to do Jeff and it will make you feel more confident tackling similar projects.
After looking at the instructions, it doesn’t look too bad. I just don’t like cutting up $30 rolling stock that is in short supply and hard to replace. On the other hand it isn’t any worse than weathering a $200 locomotive. It would be nice if Athearn had made the coupler pockets for drop in #5s like LBF and Atlas did for their covered hoopers. The plain old Athearns with the old metal snap covers are #5 ready with the infamous Athearn coupler droop and all.
Jeff, I think you might be looking at this the wrong way. Athearn did a good thing making the original draft gear close to scale width. A #5 or similar coupler would look terrible hung on these beautifully done cars. Because it won’t just snap in doesn’t make it a bad thing. Look at it this way, now you’ll have at least one semi-scale car to compare your others to.
I understand but it is a matter of perspective. I have no problems with the looks of the Atlas or LBFs, which use #5s. I know #5s are larger than the real world couplers but I have no plans to do an entire 58 swap and I really don’t mind the #5s. The 78s should be in early this week. I’ll see how difficult the paint matching will be. The way I look at it the choice is carving up a car, matching paint and getting a coupler that looks more realistic or dropping in a coupler and not having to cut a car, match paint and hope that it still looks Ok. The choice for me is pretty easy. I realize others will make a different choice.