I have a bachmann ho thomas the tank engine set. I am trying to get rid of the bulky “hook and loop” couplers and convert them to use an actual hook and chain link coupling system. I have the chain,but does anybody know where I can find some hooks that would be about the right size?
This may be a long shot, and way off base…but maybe you could try the jewlery/beads section of your local craft store like Micheals, or AC Moore. They have all kinds of various clasps, hooks and things and stuff for making all kinds of jewelry.
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Weinert has H0 models of the European style coupler. Go to Katalog p 188
Wolfgang
http://www.exactoscale.co.uk/4mmrollingstock.html
http://www.mainlytrains.co.uk/acatalog/4mm-cou-non-assembled.html
Roxey coupling pieces/parts: http://www.roxeymouldings.co.uk/store_front/view_product.php?product=4A111
http://www.scalefour.org/masokits/index.html (page 5 link)
Andre
Another forum I am a member of has a member there that has converted Thomas to Kadee couplers. This was a great success. From what I know about european couplers they rely on the buffers being spring loaded to keep tension properly. Will this be possible with such small engines or will you have issues with slack in the chain links?
Also on that forum some one added sound to Thomas and even incuded some custom effects. His little Thomas says “I’m a really useful engine” and “bust my buffers!” when the right button is pressed. Once my son gets a little older I am going to do this to his Thomas.
Massey
I converted mine to a Kaydee in the rear
Easy to do
Just wish Bachmann had put the pistons on the model
Looks funny without them
The protoype for Thomas (yes there is one) had inner frame cylinders. Unfortunatly there are no surviving engines of his prototype left that are known.
Massey
So Bachmann’s is correct
Thanks for the info
Something I wasn’t aware of
Yup, The prototype was the London Midland Scottish Railway’s E2 class. The second batch had side tanks that were extended over the front wheel arches. There are some discrepancies though from the prototype
You may be referring to me. I converted all of my son’s Thomas equipment to Kadees, and it really was pretty easy. I put the complete instructions in a post a while back.
The only real problem is that about two years ago (he’s 8 now), he declared that Thomas was for babies, and he didn’t want it on his layout anymore. So Thomas is gone (although the “Sodor Fuel” depot has yet to be rebranded.
Freight trains in England, but not Europe, of the type hauled by Thomas and Friends, used a three link chain for coupling. While the freight cars had buffers they were not pulled together. A “brake van” on the rear of the train was used to hold the cars back and maintain a separation.
On passenger trains, however, a turnbuckle was used to bring the sprung buffers together so the whole train moved as a unit.
The actual “prototype” for Thomas was the London, Brighton & South Coast E2 class 0-6-0T (second series with extended side tanks), The LB&SC became part of the Southern Railway in th 1923 Grouping and the Southern became the Southern Region of British Railways in 1948.
Pic and background info on LB&SC E2 at the Hornby site: http://www.hornbyguide.com/class_details.asp?classid=49
Pic of the class as built: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LB%26SCR_E2_class.jpg
Andre
I always thought the best way of modifying any “Thomas” product was with a large hammer! [:D]
Seriously, I do think they are good are getting young children interested in railways.
Since the Strasburg RR runs a real one ( runs under its own power) and since we get out there 15 or more times a year ( making sure some of those trips are on the 3 times a year Thomas Days) I had to have one for my layout --run it as a FanFare
You can see a working Thomas by clicking on the Strasburg RR link in my sig
Since the Strasburg RR runs a real one ( runs under its own power) and since we get out there 15 or more times a year ( making sure some of those trips are on the 3 times a year Thomas Days) I had to have one for my layout --run it as a FanFare
You can see a working Thomas by clicking on the Strasburg RR link in my sig
Thanks for the links about the prototype of Thomas still in operation. I researched this a few years ago and read that no prototype remained. It is good that he is still running strong. I have seen engines painted up to look like Thomas around here but they are not even close to the actual thing. They get painted up close enough that the kids know who the engine is.
Massey
Hornby’s ‘Thomas’ is a good representation of the engine in the Rev. Awdry’s original books. The Bachmann is closer to the Britt Allcroft TV ‘Thomas.’
Apparently rivetcounters are invading the island of Sodor, though I believe the British have another name for them.