I have a Model Power tanker ( item no. 8119) that came with horn hooks and I am trying to convert to Kadees. Kadee says that #28 will do it. This particular car has truck-mounted couplers. But the instructions with the #28 show a Model Power coupler box that looks NOTHING like the one on this car. This car’s coupler box is connected to the truck pin via a “wing-like” apparatus (talgo?). And the coupler box is a really odd shape that I cannot figure out how to convert to a Kadee. The instructions for the Kadee say to cut away to make it fit, but the pin inside the box is offset to one side and makes that not really possible. So I thought maybe I would just use the #5 draft box that the 28 kit came with, but even that will not work due to the uneven underside of the car. Has anyone converted these and have any tips?
I would build a level pad and body mount a #5 on that tank car if possible. Use some scrap plastic or go to the LHS and get some Evergreen styrene. The KD height gauge is good to check your progress. Cut the talgo mount off flush with the truck. Brush paint the mount the color of the frame when done. The only truck-mounted couplers I use are on passenger cars so they can make it around turns easier.
Jim
Thanks. I was afraid someone was going to say that, and I was thinking that is what I would have to do. What do you suggest is the best way to attach the styrene to the body? Just a glue gun and literally melt the styrene to the body until I get a level surface?
Super-glue works well, or maybe Plastic model cement.
Kadee also makes replacement trucks which uses thier couplers.
I had a bunch of Tyco cars with truck-mounted couplers, and I was relatively successful installing McHenry couplers (the ones with metal coil springs on the knuckle are better than the ones with plastic knuckle springs) in the trucks. They were a little loose, but compatible with Kadee’s. Kadee also now makes a #148 with metal whisker-type centering springs that might work.
Body-mounted #5’s would be best. I would probably cut off the truck mounted gear box, and mount #5’s in gearboxes to the body (frame) of the car with a 2-56 screw or superglue (also know as CA glue).
I like the slow or thick type CA as it seems to be a little easier to control.
Jim
Kadee sells a talgo adapter that allows one to replace truck mounted couplers. It’s listed on their site and in the Walthers catalog. I have used them and they work fine. I have also body mounted them and the adapter is a bunch quicker. TRhey work fine on short trains. Fred