Well, I just started installing Kadee #27’s in my Athearn cabooses. A #27 is a medium underset shank, just like all of my 86’ box, 85’ flats, etc. This is the Kadee recommended coupler. It appears too high. I don’t have a gage yet, but it doesn’t match up with my other stock. What do you guys put in your Athearn cabooses?
Tim
What sixze wheel are you using???
Hi Chuck,
For the time being they are still the plastic wheelsets that come with the Athearn kits, which I believe are 33". I just put in #5’s and they seem to line up just fine.
Tim
Remember,
Since Athearn cars and underframes are “mass produced” there will be tiny differences in dimensions from time to time. This is why so often modelers wind up using shims or may even have to do some modiying (been there, don that). Don’t feel bad, I know how frustrating it can be sometimes. Check carefully and see if your problem can be solved by shimming or trimming.
Peace out!
Do you have an Athearn extended vision caboose? If not, I think the #5’s are suggested. If so, you should use the #27’s. I think on the conversion list, the caboose listed is ONLY the extended vision caboose, and not all cabooses.
Even if you have the extended vision one, and the #5 is working… then keep it.
The advice is right - I’ve built all three types of Athearn caboose and found #5s to be perfect for the Bay Window and Cupola varieties while the Extended Vision type needs #27s (or #47s, same couplers but metal rather than plastic knuckles). I have found that on many Athearn cars you do need Kadee’s shim washers to get the height spot on, but the cabooses don’t come under this heading in my experience. Hope this helps!
Kadee 5s. No problem at all with coupler height.