How do you install a truck mounted coupler on a Kato locomotive?

[Paradise275]

All the videos I see are how to instll MicroTrain body mount couplers on Kato locomotives. How do you install new couplers on truck mounted locos?

Rick

[Spades]

Rick

Are you trying to replace the truck mounted rapido coupler or are you trying to install a Micro Train pilot train conversion kit for the Kato RS-3, GP38-2, GP50?  The pilot conversion kit requires you to cut of the coupler boxes install/glue a new pilot conversion in the big square gaping hole in the open pilot.  A #56 is used to dimple the walkway to center the #62 used to drill through the walkway, install couplers and screws.  I never tapped the holes on my GP38-2/50, just screwed in the screw, also I removed the trucks to cut of the couplers.

Link for the RS11 conversion https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=355

Link for every Kato conversion. https://micro-trains.com/publicfiles/conversions/sheet007.pdf

[peteski]

Are you sure about the #56 drill bit?  That would be too large of a hole for threading 00-90 screw.  Seems that you likely transposed the digits. For tapping 00-90 screws I have #65 drill bit listed.  If screwing in directly, I use #63 bit.

[pmpexpress]

All the videos I see are how to instll MicroTrain body mount couplers on Kato locomotives. How do you install new couplers on truck mounted locos?

Rick

Rick,

If you are not inclined to significantly modify (i.e., by cutting off the factory supplied truck extensions, gluing pilot conversions into the original rectangular pilot openings, and drilling and tapping screw holes in the underside of the body or walkway casting in order to accommodate the aftermarket coupler boxes), a much simpler (although not quite as aesthetically pleasing) approach to switching out the factory installed Rapido couplers would be to remove the original ones and replace them with either Micro-Trains 1128 (short) or 1129 (medium) Universal "T" Shank Couplers.

Typically, the longer length is only required if you are running extremely tight radius curves with longer length models such as autoracks or passenger cars.

[thomasjmdavis]

The response from pmpexpress is the way to go for most or all of Kato's locomotives that have truck mounted couplers (certainly for the F units, which I have done several of). I think this is also true for most (or all?) of the RS and GP units that Kato manufactured in the 80s and 90s and were marketed by (and labeled) Atlas, but that in the modern day are often sold as "Kato" on eBay and similar venues.  The oldest "Kato" units out there are the ones they manufactured for Con-Cor, and there are specific conversion kits available for the various powered and dummy versions of the PA, or for the Hudson, that are a bit different from the kits for more modern Kato production.

@Paradise275 - would be helpful to know specifically which loco you are working on.

[Spades]

Are you sure about the #56 drill bit?  That would be too large of a hole for threading 00-90 screw.  Seems that you likely transposed the digits. For tapping 00-90 screws I have #65 drill bit listed.  If screwing in directly, I use #63 bit.

Peteski you are correct. Should have gone back and read the instructions from the website. 

The #56 is to dimple the walkway to center the #62 used to drill through the walkway.  It has been 20+ years since I performed the conversions.  Hazy memory I just used #62 and no tapping.  N scale has come a long way.  I rebuilt the brake blister added J&J dynamic blower duct, N Scale of Nevada Dandi Diesel Kits  to convert a GP50 to a GP40-2.  N scale has come a long way.  Miss the N Scale of Nevada details though.

[Paradise275]

Thanks for the responses. I've broken some couplers off Kato E8's that were truck mounted. I can convert the nose mounted couplers but havent seen any videos to fix the truck mounted rear couplers. I would like to use Micro Train couplers for this as I want to be able to hook up to non Kato rolling stock.

[thomasjmdavis]

Thanks for the responses. I've broken some couplers off Kato E8's that were truck mounted. I can convert the nose mounted couplers but havent seen any videos to fix the truck mounted rear couplers. I would like to use Micro Train couplers for this as I want to be able to hook up to non Kato rolling stock.

I don't know if there is a video anywhere, but the instructions for the MTL kit 2000-1, which is the kit for a Kato E8 and some other locos, has the instructions for doing the truck mounted rear coupler.
https://micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&search=2000-1&description=true&product_id=802

[peteski]

Thanks for the responses. I've broken some couplers off Kato E8's that were truck mounted. I can convert the nose mounted couplers but havent seen any videos to fix the truck mounted rear couplers. I would like to use Micro Train couplers for this as I want to be able to hook up to non Kato rolling stock.

Did the truck mounted "coupler pocket" actually break off the truck, or just the coupler broke?  If the pocket is still there, you can just install a new Kato coupler (those are sold on Kato's website).  If you want to retroft it with MTL coupler then the info Thomas pointed to will provide instructions.

Personally I'm not a fan of the MTL T-shank coupler conversions.  They have too much vertical play and under heavy load can slip up or down and uncouple.  They also don't work as well as standard MTL couplers when it comes to magnetic uncoupling. The metal adapters included in the current run are better (stiffer) than the original Delrin plastic versions, but IMO still not optimal. 

[Paradise275]

Hi Petski.
Just the coupler broke, not the box. I think I'll use the 1128 short shank couplers from Micro-Train as suggested.

Rick

[peteski]

If it is just the coupler then Kato does have replacements (for $6.00 set of 10).  Part #923500, however the shipping cost will more than double that price.



I have a package of them and  could send you a coupler if you wish.  PM me if you are interested.

[Paradise275]

Thanks for the offer Pete, but I got some from my MicroTrain dealer here. I've got my problem solved. Thanks again.

Rick