I don’t know where to put this topic. I don’t even know if this is a good forum to post this question. I just bought a model power sw-1. Does anybody know how to remove them? Model Power doesn’t make it anymore.
Try this site: http://www.kadee.com/conv/hocc79.htm
This is for HO scale.
They don’t list the SW-1, but maybe some of the illustrations will give you an idea of how to make the conversion.
Darrell, quiet…for now
If the couplers are truck-mounted like Model Power rolling stock couplers, replacement is rather difficult.
With the engine turned upside down and resting on something soft, look at the existing couplers. Where they swivel there should be a black plastic arm that holds a pin down into the hole in the coupler. You must carefully pry this plastic arm up enough to pull the old coupler out, without breaking it. If the plastic is cold, it’s more likely to snap, so heating it a little may make the job easier. One easy way to heat the bottom is to place it about six inches under a 100 Watt light bulb for about 15 minutes.
After you have the old coupler removed, put the new one in its place by reversing this procedure. If you’re going to use a Kadee coupler, put the bronze centering spring in first, and then the coupler. If you’re using a McHenry or other brand of one-piece coupler, it’s a little easier to do. Either way, you have to pry up on the plastic arm far enough to slip the coupler under it and into place.
No matter what you do, replacement couplers are not going to hold their center position on one of these locomotives very well.
Can you post a picture of the underside of the locomotive? That would help.