I have 6 Pinnacle Series 19,600 Gallon Tank Cars and they have smaller coupler pockets than normal. My question is what Kadee coupler would I need to replace the Accumate couplers these cars come with?
Here is the car I’m talking about.
www.imrcmodels.com/ho/html/47808.htm
-Dave
The Kadee coupler conversion chart says they use standard couplers, ie #5’s or #58’s.
http://kadee.com/conv/holist.pdf
Rotor
I already tried #5 couplers, they won’t fit.
Not sure then. 
Kadee says #5’s fit all intermountain freight cars.
Can you post a pic of the problem?
Rotor
There is no direct replacement for these. I used a Kadee #78 which is an easy changeover. You must remove the complete draft gear from the model and use a little imagination, but it works well.
http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page350.htm
Or use the Accumate.
If an Accumate fits it, shouldn’t a Kadee Whisker fit too?? I thought the problem with those cars was getting the #5’s bronze centering spring to fit.[%-)]
Makes sense to me.
Rotor
The draft gear on the model is close to scale width therefore very narrow. Whisker #5’s or #58’s are too wide to fit into the stock models draft gear. Believe me. I sent one off to be custom painted and the original Accumates were discarded before I sent it out. When it came back I wished that I hadn’t thrown out the Accumates. I replaced the models draft gear with the #78 in about 15 minutes, so it wasn’t that big of a problem.
Just like the stock draft gear on Athearn’s Genesis Trinity covered hopper. The only way to replace the Accumates is with a #78 mod.
I’ll give it a try. Thanks guys
-Dave
There’s a new whisker #158 coupler out. KD’s conversion chart is a ‘work in progress’, which is after-the-fact, and may not be caught up.
http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page158c.htm
Ask IM. They designed it.
I just ran this by Sam at Kadee, and I’m waiting on a reply. [:D]
Rotor
Hello group, I’ve been watching this for a bit to see where it was going before I commented.
IM made their narrow draft gear box exactly like the scale Accumate box that’s also found on the Athearn Genesis hoppers. IM said they did it before they knew a Kadee coupler would not fit. We do not have a drop in replacement coupler for this narrow box and, unfortunately, the boxe’s design does not allow an easy conversion to a Kadee coupler, not even our newer whisker couplers. So far it’s a matter of trimming down the side walls of their box and attaching our #78 coupler just like we use for the Genesis hoppers. The following is a link to our conversion info for the Genesis hopper http://www.kadee.com/conv/pdf/ath43.pdf
Sam Clarke
Kadee Quality Products
Sam - Thanks for replying. I did the conversion as in the pictures and found it to be much easier to remove the old draft gear completly. A tiny dab of contact cement was used , plus the 4-40 screw which fits into the hlole left by removing the old box. I have found lots of replacement ideas with this great draft gear/coupler set-up.
Thanks Sam…I should have known you were lurking! [;)]
Rotor
Nuetrino, thanks for your photos and comments. Our #78 coupler is a version of the coupler and box we use on our box cars modified for aftermarket use. We also find many uses for it.
Rotorranch, I do lurk around the major forums and only comment when needed or asked.
Sam Clarke
Kadee Quality Products