Magnetic Couplers for Kato BethGons

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi, I am new to these forums so please bear with me if I get it wrong.
I am in the UK and starting up in N gauge. I went to a local NMRA meeting. I was so impressed with some Kato models that I bought a Kato AC4400CW and some BethGons.

My question for you all is this. I want to be able to magnetically uncouple the BethGon cars to do some switching. Has anyone replaced the standard Kato couplers on the BethGons with Micro Trains magnetic couplers? If so what type did you use and how easy is it? I would prefer to replace the whole truck if this is easier. What magnets do you use? I need to mount them under the baseboard (4mm thick MDF)

Thanks

PaulWhitt20

2

I just went through the same thing. I didn’t like the couplers that came with the bethgons.
I just replaced the trucks with Atlas 70 Ton roller bearing trucks. They come with the Atlas Accumate couplers so they’re compatible with the Micro Trains couplers.
Wasn’t too hard to change them, just removed the Kato trucks, and then had to drill out the center hole in the Atlas trucks a tad so they would fit nicely. Then used the same screw that holds the Kato trucks on to attach them. They work like a champ. The trucks cost about $2.75 a pair.
Hope this helps.

Lister

3

Thanks Lister,
I will give it a try. Has anyone used the MicroTrains trucks? The Atlas truck dont seem to be available in the UK.
Paul

4

I didn’t use the Micro Trains trucks, but they should work just the same. They’re interchangable with the Atlas trucks so I don’t see there being a problem. I’ve exchanged MC trucks with Atlas trucks and vice-versa many times do to nasty spills etc with no problem. The only difference between them is that the Micro Trains trucks use a slightly smaller wheel. (Meaning axel length). So the wheels aren’t interchangable. Also the Kato trucks that you do have, have a larger wheel than both Atlas and MC. The wheels won’t fit the Atlas or MC trucks, they’ll be too tight. I just changed those out to with Atlas metal wheels. (Atlas makes metal wheels for Their own trucks as well as MC’s.)

Lister