I’ve got some of the Kato bi-level cars in HO and I want to replace the couplers on these, however I’m having trouble finding a suitable replacement coupler other than the ones that come on the cars from Kato. The couplers on these cars are rather long due to the coupler housing design Kato chose for these.
If you have these cars and have replaced the couplers, what did you use? I went to my LHS and they were stumped as to what to replace these with.
Thanks!
BMR777 and group,
With Kato’s help we found a way to mount a #34 coupler to the end of the extra coupler arm provided in the bilevel’s package. This conversion works OK but it’s a bit tedious and you need some basic modeling skills.
However, since we did this conversion we have introduced our #451 extended swing coupler package that works quite well on most long cars and is easier to install than converting the Kato coupler arm.
Sam Clarke R&D
Kadee Quality Products
Very interesting, this looks promising! Sam, I am assuming that this coupler would replace the triangular coupler box on the bi-level, then would screw into where the default coupler box has a screw hole?
Thanks!
The #451 uses 0-80 screws so you need to remove all of Kato’s swinging arm assembly until you have exposed the floor. Then use the shim blocks in the #451 package to build a platform to the correct coupler height. You do not use the original screw holes.
Sam Clarke R&D
Kadde Quality Products
I actually got an order that had these (451’s) in it this week.
I took one set out & moch assembled it for test fitting on a Train Station Products Coach Car.
I must say, I am always impressed with Kadee’s engineering solutions & making things simple & easy for the modeller.
These will work great.
And, they will also help maintain my Kadee coupler compatibilty in the fleet.