Hi, I want to upgrade all of my ahm freight cars. Which kadee couplers with draft boxes do I need to get in order to do this, or does kadee make a freight car truck complete with couplers attached that I can use instead of purchasing the coupler and boxes and the trucks separate? I want to replace both the couplers and the trucks. Thanks.
I have always body mounted KD 5s on Tyco, AHM and Lifelike. Then I plug the truck hole and use a 2/56 screw to attach Athearn BB trucks. I just let the screw self tap.
I usually replace the couplers and wheels. I cut the coupler mounts off the trucks and replace the wheels with whatever metal wheels I can find that will fit. For the couplers I body mount Kadee #242 draft gear boxes and install Kadee #148 Whisker couplers.
I replace the couplers and wheels as other posters have noted. Replacing trucks on low end rolling stock to me crosses the line of price vs. benefit. I’m thinking for the same amount of money one can get an “on sale” Athearn or comparable car online or an upgraded used car on Ebay or from a train show.
Thanks everyone! I was thinking kadee #5 with draft boxes and kadee battendorf or andrews trucks; but I saw kadee 510 trucks with couplers already mounted. I didnt know if they would work or not. I kind of figured they would not because the coupler shaft was not long enough. [*-)] I usually put kadee whisker couplers #148 or ez mate mark II couplers on the existing trucks of these cars but they would not work in this case. I know the cars are cheap but I am attached to my old blue box athearn cars, my old tyco cars, the old train miniature cars and my old ahm cars. Its an emotional attachment. I have some of the newer cars too.
Of the rolling stock you mentioned the Train Miniatures are the most realistic & the easiest to convert. I would start with those. Just substitute a kadee #5 or wisker in the pocket & change out the wheelsets for Intermountain etc. no need to change the trucks. You could run a truck reamer in the trucks while you have the wheelsets out. jerry
I plan to use 805’s on my old AHM cars. But then they are O scale.[:D]
Enjoy
Paul
I always thought(and still do) the AHM PS1 boxcax was a nice looking car…The AHM passenger cars are still very nice cars.AHM steamers was nice running engines unless you ran 'em wide open…My AHM 2-8-8-2 lasted from '63 till when I was drafted in '70…Not bad seeing I paid $7.99 for it the day after Christmas.
Just the posts I was looking for today on my first visit to this forum. I too have AHM, and have a attachment to the Italian original series great stuff!! Thanks all
I have a couple of AHM Rio Grande orange and silver paint scheme box cars that I really like. I like how they are not real tall and look good with the older era box cars.