Kadee coupler installation on a P2K Boxcar

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m assembling a 50’ Auto Box Car with 5/5 Dreadnaught ends and I’ve gotten to the coupler installation part. This car is supplied with horn hook type couplers (is there anyone in this hobby that actually uses these?), and the directions are very straightforward and easy to understand. But if you choose to install Kadee #5 couplers the directions read as follows:

“If you choose to install Kadee #5 couplers (not included) follow instructions that come with the couplers. Glue the top cover to the flat pads on the ends of the floor”

Huh? They’re telling me to glue the cover to the flat pads where the coupler box is normally glued? In other words, upside down from it’s normal orientation. The coupler box, that comes in the kit, has two pins that fit into two holes on the car’s floor. Why are they telling me to glue the cover to the flat pads? What am I missing here? Why not attach the coupler box to the floor, put in a Kadee coupler and spring and glue on the top?

Anyone with experience with this?

JaRRell

2

I can’t say for sure, JaRRell, but it may have something to do with the thickness of the various items when assembled, including the shank of the Kadee, such that their method is most likely to have the Kadee placed at an optimal height. Maybe use a dab of caulking to try it all first, invert the car, and see if the Kadee meets others with that coupler? If not, figure out a match, but the caulking can be rubbed away easily.

3

If nobody comes up with a difinitive answer before my lunch hour, I have the same car at home that I used #5s on, and all my cars have the correct coupler height (at least my freight cars). I don’t recall having to do anything special with it though.

4

Thanks for the suggestion. I had thought about using some type temporary way to try it, just hadn’t come up with one yet. I appreciate the help!

Jarrell

5

Thanks Smitty, I appreciate that. I’ll move it to the back of my workbench til you take a look at yours.

Jarrell

6

Maybe this got written by a tech writer who wasn’t familiar with the product. Since the “box” part of the coupler assembly is on top (once the car is upright) perhaps they thought the box part is the “cover” and the lower flat plate is the “base.”

I’ve put together a couple of P2K Mather box cars, and I think they’re the same way. To be honest with you, I didn’t bother to read the directions on how to install the couplers. The coupler height came out fine.

And then, as always, I wished there were an aftermarket for horn-hooks.

7

I just looked at the car and it is one of the older P2K cars that don’t have the screw on cover, and I found in the instructions where it mentioned about using #5s. I mounted the pocket to the underframe, and not the cover as the instructions mention. Unfortunately this is the first car that I was testing the whisker couplers with.

With that being said, the whiskers are supposed to fit the exact same dimensions as a #5s. I also checked the height with a Kadee height gauge, and it is dead on the money. As far as I can tell, you should be able to do the same thing with a #5. The newer P2Ks do just fine with a #5 in the coupler box mounted to the underframe.

8

Thanks Mr. B.

I don’t think the writer did realize what he/she was saying, then again who knows.

Jarrell

9

Thanks Smitty. The one I have doesn’t have a screw either so I’m going to mount like you, me and Mr. Beasley normally mount them… [:)]

I think I may have a couple of the whiskers left in a package. I like those things!

Thanks for taking the time to look at yours for me.

Jarrell