Hi,
Can anyone tell me which wheels and couplers to purchase for IHC corrugated passenger car conversion. I think Kadee 508 coupler would work OK but do I need the talgo adapters? I have read a little on the subject but am still unsure of the specific. Also is body or coupler the way to go?
I tried the Kadee 508 coupler adapter and wound up with cars that derail everywhere. Prior to them, I used the long-shank McHenry #52 or 53 couplers that are direct replacements for the horn hooks that come on the cars, and they ran very well.
Because of the modifications to the trucks that must be made in order to install the Kadee 508, I can’t go back and put the McHenry’s on, so I’m going to try the Jay-Bee coupler mounting pads and go with body-mounted Kadees.
I replaced all of the wheelsets with Intermountain or Proto 2000 33 inch wheels. In reality, these cars should have had 36 inch wheels.
For some reason, Kadee wheelsets do not roll well at all in IHC passenger cars.
Thanks Cacole. I appreciate the informatiion and also your kindness in not criticizing my proofreading or lack thereof. I will probably try the McHenrys I have no knowledge of how they operate. I must say that I have heard much criticism of them from our locals who have a very vocal preference for Kadees. Any comment from others?[:)]
For a short string of passenger cars McHenrys will be fine. It is when you get into long and heavy consists that the plastic couplers will start giving you problems (breakage). Definately get some metal wheelsets as stated above. And for better tracking you may want to add some weight. Overall you should be fine with what was suggested above. There is also another option for the trucks if you are willing to shell out some extra cash. IHS makes some wonderful sprung metal trucks at about $20 a pair, although they can be found cheaper on eBay. Make those McHenrys work and shove it in the local critics’ faces!!
I ended up using IHC metal wheels for my 2 cars.
I also added a bunch of weight, equal amounts over each truck mounted inside the body to bring them up to standards.
They roll fairly well now.
Also, knowing how McHenry Couplers work most of the time, I’m limiting these cars to short trains no more than 3 cars.
Gordon
KD, McHenry, they both suck about the same.
Flytotry,
The route taken by CP5415 is a good way to go.
One thing I have to digress on: You can haul long passenger trains with the McHenry couplers.
If you run your passenger trains prototypically, then you should not have a coupler breakage problem. Prototypical operation: Gentle and smooth "take offs, gradual acceleration, gradual deceleration. Temporarily using the momentum on your controller for take offs and stops can make it fun. With DCC its even more fun since you can program momentum rates for each locomotive.
Rule of thumb:
Hard, sudden jerky take-offs and stops throw passengers around and break couplers. Try and enjoy the challenge of operating a model train like a prototype locomotive engineer would on the real thing.
Peace.