Newbie question changing trucks / couplers

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I purchased a Bachman “Premium Silver series” 40’ Reading Boxcar because the price was right $4.95. But the couplers are wrong, Rapidos. Never having changed these out, is it best to just change out the trucks. I know this is piece of cake basic to many of you, but I’m at the mercy of what the LHS tells me, so I come here for sage advice. Is there a coupler 101 FAQ for us newbies ?

Question two Will Rapidos ever become extinct or is there two much of a user base :

Thanks, Dave

2

I have had to change couplers, but I’m not sure what a Rapido is. The ones with the “horns” up and down are not my preference; I change 'em right away. Most railers prefer Kadees. In any event, you should just have to lift the lower cover on the coupler insert box (it will face you when you invert the box car). The box may look like it’s one piece, but that upper cover most assuredly will pry off with an exacto blade carefully wedged in. Once you see how the coupler fits inside, inserting any other coupler that I know of will be obvious.

3

selector, Ripido is the standard junk coupler of N scale. I think the same thing will happen as in HO. knuckles will take over as the new standard because they work AND look better.

4

http://www.micro-trains.com/conversions_.htm if N scale.
If HO, www.kadee.com/conv/list.htm

5

You have some options. You can just change out the Rapido coupler in the trucks for a Micro-Trains coupler, the link Chuck provided should help you figure out which M-T conversion you need.

Or you could replace the entire truck/coupler assembly with new trucks/couplers by M-T.

Or you could replace the truck/coupler assembly with Atlas trucks with Accumate couplers (which is what I’m doing). I didn’t want to hassle with the coupler conversions and it’s a lot easier just to switch trucks. I have enough trouble converting my Rapidos to M-T on my locos.

If you wanted to get exotic you could leave the original trucks, cut off teh Rapido coupler and pocket, and body mount new M-T couplers.

My crystal ball is broken right now so it’s hard to see the future. One could assume that change/progress is inevitable and that eventually Rapido’s will go out of production. The question might better be when that might happen.

Regards

Ed