on the athearn phi59 the coupler droups at the back end and won’t connect with the bombardier coaches what can I do about it? rambo1…
Not familiar with that particular loco, but two thoughts come to mind.
If you can remove the coupler will adding washers at the mounting screw hold it correctly? Since it is drouping, I think you would want to put them on the top, to push the end up.
I have also seen a small strip of styrene added to the bottom edge of the coupler box to hold the coupler up in place.
What you do may depend on whether the slot the coupler comes through is at the correct height and if the coupler moves up and down on the mounting post.
Good luck,
Richard
richard thanks for answering. tried the first will try the second and third good advice thankyou . I will reply rambo1…
Athearn coupler pockets have been too large and ‘coupler droop’ has been a constant issue. I am not sure how the current RTR version is assembled, but I would do the following:
- Trash the provided plastic McHenry coupler - McHenry & Athearn are both owned by Horizon Hobbies, so you are going to get that coupler as a default
- Replace it with something like a metal Kadee ‘Whisker’ coupler. The shank is thicker, and this may get rid of the coupler droop.
Myself, I usually drill out the mounting pin and tap for 2-56 screws - Then mount the coupler. One of the problems with the plastic McHenry couplers is that they flex/bend under load and you get a false uncoupling.
Jim
when athearn produced the kit loco and coaches for the bombardier did they not correct the problem or leave it to us to fix?
sorry i might have an older loco
problem solved I changed everything and replaced the coupler and installed a no5 kadee and coupler box.rambo1…