|
|
Post by stoshu on May 15, 2020 14:07:42 GMT
I was looking at the wood side passenger cars in the new MTH catalog. One of the features is that they have the mounting box for KaDee couplers. Has any one here done this ? Do you recommend it ?
These cars are also rated for 042 curves. With KaDee couplers would they still be rated for 042 or would it change the minimum radius ?
Thanks Bruce...
|
|
|
|
Post by JDaddy on May 15, 2020 16:30:50 GMT
Hey Bruce,
For Kadee coupler conversions you will have to do some checking on which coupler to buy for your layout and for the type of car.
First I highly recommend a height/coupler gauge be used for all conversions. Because car bodies are at all different heights, you are going to need to understand what is the correct nominal height for all cars.
once you have determined how the car body sits height wise. I would focus on the method of conversion. if you have a molded coupler box and you are going to utilize it, determine if you will need an offset shank coupler to get to the correct height. Then buy that type of coupler for all your cars.
Height is critical for Kadee coupler and they are unforgiving if you are off by even 1/16 of an inch
Next is determine the length of the coupler shaft you will need. O42 is a sharp curve, so you may need a long shank coupler say like the #742. Notice it is not available with an offset up or down. so using the molded coupler box maybe a lost cause.
I highly recommend the conversion, but as you can see, you may have to buy a few different type couplers to get you started. right now, due to cost, I have not converted mine yet... the focus has been on getting the Lionel 21 inch couplers updated first so I can run them on a min curve of O72... not easy
|
|
|
|
Post by nycgeorge on May 15, 2020 20:23:34 GMT
I have done the conversion - . I don't have small curves. Smallest I have is 072 curves. I will post pictures later of the conversions.
|
|
|
|
Post by stoshu on May 15, 2020 23:50:25 GMT
Hey Bruce, For Kadee coupler conversions you will have to do some checking on which coupler to buy for your layout and for the type of car. First I highly recommend a height/coupler gauge be used for all conversions. Because car bodies are at all different heights, you are going to need to understand what is the correct nominal height for all cars. once you have determined how the car body sits height wise. I would focus on the method of conversion. if you have a molded coupler box and you are going to utilize it, determine if you will need an offset shank coupler to get to the correct height. Then buy that type of coupler for all your cars. Height is critical for Kadee coupler and they are unforgiving if you are off by even 1/16 of an inch Next is determine the length of the coupler shaft you will need. O42 is a sharp curve, so you may need a long shank coupler say like the #742. Notice it is not available with an offset up or down. so using the molded coupler box maybe a lost cause. I highly recommend the conversion, but as you can see, you may have to buy a few different type couplers to get you started. right now, due to cost, I have not converted mine yet... the focus has been on getting the Lionel 21 inch couplers updated first so I can run them on a min curve of O72... not easy
Great explanation, but that is why I got out of HO....  I'm looking at the wood side passenger cars from MTH, who also sells the KayDee couplers... Am I wrong in assuming there is more to this than just a simple swap out... they are all MTH cars and parts....
|
|
|
|
Post by nycgeorge on May 16, 2020 11:40:14 GMT
No it is not a simple swap out - You have to partially disassembly the truck to get the knuckle coupler out. Will post some pictures in a bit.
|
|
|
|
Post by JDaddy on May 16, 2020 11:53:20 GMT
MTH cars are great / easy to upgrade to Kadee. The safe guard is not all car bodies are at the same height if you body mount them.
Thus if you just upgrade the MTH wood side cars and only couple them to one engine and themselves your good. Otherwise if you mix and match with Lionel / Atlas/ Weaver/ etc. you going to have to create a coupler height gauge.
My frustration is always a good source for small springs and screws! Those pesky springs love to shoot across the room never to be found again....
|
|
|
|
Post by nycgeorge on May 16, 2020 12:08:44 GMT
Here are some pictures of the swap I did on the woodside pass cars. I used the newer Kadee couplers #743. John - every Kadee swap I've done to a MTH car has involved a partial disassembly of the truck to completely remove the knuckle coupler. It is that hidden tad on the truck used to open the coupler that is a PITA to remove. |
|
|
|
Post by stoshu on May 16, 2020 12:16:41 GMT
Talk about a small world... the 2 people that are helping me live in the same area. I'm in Plymouth MI.
anyway Jdaddy If I do this I planned on making the baggage car my transition car. Regular coupler on one end so I can use any engine and the rest
will be KaDees.
I was wondering how the wood sided cars would look with my MTH #999 4-4-0. Looking at one of the Det. 3 railer videos I see someone has the same setup.
It doesn't look to bad. I was a litle concerned about the size difference. Though I have a scale turbine to pull them also...
I guess the question still stands. Will they still operate on 042 curves with the Kadees.
|
|
|
|
Post by stoshu on May 16, 2020 12:23:15 GMT
Thanks George. This looks like something even I might be able to do........
then again I had my 7 year old grandson over yesterday to help me replace a board in the blue tooth Polar Express. He likes to work on trains with me.
So I put the board in, we set it on the track and nothing. After checking and rechecking he said " maybe you put the old board back in " He was right.
Dam kids....
|
|
|
|
Post by nycgeorge on May 16, 2020 13:53:37 GMT
It will look great with the MTH #999 (the right time period). I don't know if it will do 042 with the 742 Kadee. Smallest track on my layout is 072. You might need to use the long shanck 742 Kadee. However they maybe a clearance issue with the bigger coupler box on the 742. If you look at the 3rd picture I posted. I kept the knuckle couple attachment on the truck and used the 743 with the shorter coupler box. I did this in case some future owner wanted to go back to the knuckle coupler, I kept all the removed hardware , stored in the cars boxes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Country Joe on May 16, 2020 14:48:22 GMT
Thanks George. This looks like something even I might be able to do........ then again I had my 7 year old grandson over yesterday to help me replace a board in the blue tooth Polar Express. He likes to work on trains with me. So I put the board in, we set it on the track and nothing. After checking and rechecking he said " maybe you put the old board back in " He was right. Dam kids.... 
|
|
I'm looking at the wood side passenger cars from MTH, who also sells the KayDee couplers... Am I wrong in assuming there is more to this
