Does anyone know what brand and size couplers come stock on the Bachmann Spectrum three truck Shay? I want to match whatever couplers I use on logging cars. Thankya.
They come with a plastic Kadee clone that has a metal knuckle spring and the plastic ears for centering. May be a Bachmann EZ or McHenry. Installing a Kadee #5 is difficult because the coupler box is not deep enough for the metal centering spring. I plan to use the installed coupler until it fails and the install a Kadee #5. Maybe I can reduce the thickness of the Kadee shank and have enough room for the spring or modify the coupler box lid to give more room. The new Kadee with the metal ears will not work because they increased the thickness of the shank to make up for not using the old spring.
Mine are both all metal. They do kinda look like Kadee, though.
They’re no doubt Bachmann’s own EZ-Mate couplers, because as Dr. Spock would say, it’s not logical that they would use another brand.
I did some research and found this: http://www.kadee.com/conv/list.htm
I am sure most all of you already have seen this list, as experienced as you sound, but I thought I would post it anyway, just in case. According to this, it says the Shay can use either #5 or # 58 couplers from Kadee. I assume that means without modification, since it does not specify.
Rob,
Kadee’s .pdf file for the conversion:
http://www.kadee.com/conv/pdf/558in.pdf
shows a straight drop in replacement.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543
Cool! Thankya.