Confirmed: MT1015 works on new Atlas PS-1 Boxcars

[jdcolombo]

For those of you who are not fans of the Accumate couplers used by Atlas, I've confirmed that you can substitute a MT 1015.  But you can't use an assembled 1015.

The coupler box is part of the metal underframe; to covert to an MT, you unscrew the cover of the coupler box with a (very) small Phillips screwdriver, take out the Accumate coupler and sub in the "guts" of a 1015, with the centering spring in front of the mounting post.  Screw the cover back on, and you're done.  If you've assembled 1015 couplers from scratch, this will be a trivial job; if you've never assembled MT couplers from scratch, getting the centering spring in place takes some practice (I pick it up with the very tip of a #11 hobby knife, then "lever" it into place against the mounting post; be prepared to lose several springs until you get the hang of this and have your favorite beverage or blood pressure medicine handy).  You also then have to make sure the spring doesn't pop out while you are putting the cover back on (I sort of "slide" the cover on past the spring to try to avoid this, but I'm not always successful).

John C.

[bbussey]

The cavities for the MTL centering pins are included in the Atlas PS-1 coupler box and underframe?

[jdcolombo]

The cavities for the MTL centering pins are included in the Atlas PS-1 coupler box and underframe?

Yes.  I was surprised, but they are there.

John C.

[nkalanaga]

Now THAT is a great advance - truly interchangeable couplers!  The Accumates work fine for me, but making the pocket suitable for MT's as well shows that someone was thinking ahead.

[VonRyan]

So the Accumates are body mount? If so is it possible to remove the coupler box and install truck mounted MTs?

-Cody F.

[bbussey]

No.

[VonRyan]

No.

?

[VonRyan]

More specific please.

-Cody F.

[up1950s]

Since you played with it does it stick out more ? Before and after photos ?

[jdcolombo]

More specific please.

-Cody F.

Hi Cody.

The coupler pocket is part of the underbody.  The underbody is metal.  In order to get rid of the coupler pocket, you'd need to mill it off with a cutter in a dremel.  It could be done, but it would be a lot of work.

John C.

[Robbman]

So the Accumates are body mount? If so is it possible to remove the coupler box and install truck mounted MTs?

-Cody F.

Why?  Not only would you have to remove the existing box, you'd have to jack the car up two feet to clear a talgo box...

[jdcolombo]

Since you played with it does it stick out more ? Before and after photos ?

Photos.

MT coupler on car in front, Accumate on one in back (ignore fingerprint on front car):



Cars coupled together, MT on left, Accumate on right.



The photos don't really capture it, but I think the MT ends up sticking out a hair more than the Accumate.  After I converted the B&M car, I left the others with the Accumates, even though I'm not generally a big fan of the Accumate.

John C.

[VonRyan]

Hi Cody.
The coupler pocket is part of the underbody.  The underbody is metal.  In order to get rid of the coupler pocket, you'd need to mill it off with a cutter in a dremel.  It could be done, but it would be a lot of work.
John C.

Why?  Not only would you have to remove the existing box, you'd have to jack the car up two feet to clear a talgo box...

Eh, i'd never notice, plus i don't have a dremel, meaning quicker work. Plus it means reliability, and more length for my trains. Plus i can always file down the talgo box. I have some files that take very well to the delrin (and everything else for that matter) and makes quick work of it.

Thanks all!

-Cody F.

[Ike the BN Freak]

Eh, i'd never notice, plus i don't have a dremel, meaning quicker work. Plus it means reliability, and more length for my trains. Plus i can always file down the talgo box. I have some files that take very well to the delrin (and everything else for that matter) and makes quick work of it.

Thanks all!

-Cody F.

Cody, the talgo boxes are not that thick, the delrin.  Also, the accumates in a body mount application should hold up better than the first accumates, where the boxes would explode under stress.

[Mark5]

On the accumates, Atlas has been using them over a decade on their locos. I can't remember anyone complaining too much about these. Body mounted, they do not "stick out" more the MTs.