I am trying to find a part number for the F7B body mount, magnetic coupler. The trip pin fell off after 45 minutes (max) use. Have read that these couplers are not separately avilable from Kato. If true, it is incomprehensible. If available, from what source? I have checked the Katousa webb site and they only only list replacement coupler units for the trucks, none for body mounting. My original posting failed to SPECIFY N-GAGE. FOUND SOLUTION. I modified an Microtrains #1152 coupler conversion kit for Atlas RS-3 to fit and it works. I had also removed the front loco coupler of the A unit to put onto th B unit. Could not keep the draft box together to to screw it down. No more Kato N scale for me.
MOST Manufacturers BUY their couplers and wheels from another OEM source.
TRY Micro-trains for 'N’gage, and Kadee for ‘HO’, or call (huh?) Kato USA.
(2) ‘TRIP PINS’ are friction fitting pieces, that only uncouple, and have little to do with ‘coupling’. Many modelers choose to remove them since they ‘droop’ and ‘snag’.
I replaced all the couplers on our genesis F3s and F7 with Kadees, because the stock units failed to stay coupled. Front of the A units took Kadee 36s, while the rears and B units took Kadee 38s. I think it was a drop in operation, but the draft box/spring may have been a very minor chore.
Properly mounted and adjusted Kadee couplers will not droop or snag.
If the original couplers were not Kadees, then the best thing they could have done for you is to break. It gives you a chance to take out the trash and replace them with couplers that will last the lifetime of the engine. If they were Kadees, well, let us know. It might be a first.
Thanks for your response. I originally failed to specify that these were N scale locos. I removed the coupler on the A unut, intending to mount it on the B unit. However, the I could not keep the draft gear box together while I screwed it down. I modified a Micro-trains #1152 coupler conversion kit for Atlas RS-3 to fit and it works.
Thanks, Tobydog