Micro Trains height adjustment for brass tenders

[ATSF_Ron]

Good morning!  I'm having a coupler height issue with one of my SP brass connies.  The others are fine, but when I mount to the loco with the whaleback tender, the coupler is a solid half-coupler height low.  I know Micro Trains makes an "underslung" mount, but I'm wondering if they have a mount that raises the height?  I wasn't able to find anything like that on their web site.  I can file the coupler box lid down a bit, but not enough to raise it to the proper height.  I also do NOT want to mess with grinding on the tender mounting pad to raise the height.  The coupler number I'm using is 1025-1, pre assembled.  Anyone know of a better option out there to raise the height?  Thanks.

[garethashenden]

That sounds like a perfect application for the 2004 coupler. The shank is mounted at the bottom of the knuckle, rather than in the middle. So that should raise the knuckle by half the height.

[ATSF_Ron]

Sweet!  I think I have some of those buried in my coupler box.  Thanks!

[peteski]

Brass engines are usually designed for MTL 1023/1025 couplers.  They have much thinner coupler boxes than 1015.   Is a 1023 the coupler that is currently installed on those locos?

Usually when a coupler sits too low, the recommendation is to add washer(s) to the truck's kingpin.

[JoeD]

Brass engines are usually designed for MTL 1023/1025 couplers.  They have much thinner coupler boxes than 1015.   Is a 1023 the coupler that is currently installed on those locos?

Usually when a coupler sits too low, the recommendation is to add washer(s) to the truck's kingpin.

correct.  back in the day the 1023/25 was standard issue for almost all brass modeels.

Joe

[ATSF_Ron]

The 2004 worked out well. I prefer not to add washers to the trucks as I like the height of the fender as is.

[nkalanaga]

Oddly, though, the mounting height for the 1025 (my favorite) and the 1015 are almost identical:  1025, 0.275 inch; 1015, 0.279 inch.  And, they both call for the screw to be 0.125 inch from the end of the car.

So, if the 1015 is too low, the 1025 will be as well!

[mmagliaro]

nkalanaga, that is not what I see for MTL mounting heights.  The 1015 says .293", and the 1023/1025 says .275".  The drawing for the 1015 at .279" is only if a shim is added above the coupler.  Having said all that, a difference of .018" wouldn't be enough to raise the coupler by 1/2 the knuckle height.

[EdKap2]

MT “Z scale coupler might work without modification since they have to be mounted lower to match up with the N scale height gauge.  I calculated a height of .268” vs .275 for a 1025.

[Doug G.]

Re 1025 vs. 1015. Say, if you have a car that needed a shim over the coupler to get it low enough, you will not need that shim with a 1015. I used shims with 1025s (MT-5) since 1968 when I first began converting until MT released the 1015 and have generally used those since.

Doug

[JoeD]

https://www.walthers.com/media/catalog/product/cache/944635636b347bd2be13fbc42a882726/1/0/1023_magne-maticr_coupler_assembled_489-102009_big.jpg

[ATSF_Ron]

Interesting. Even after installing the 2004 coupler, the height seemed a tad low, so I decided to put in a tiny micro trains washer between the body of the tender and the truck bolster. While the height is now perfect, I am now experiencing electrical pickup issues. It seems that the power is transferred from the truck bolster to the mounting pad on the tender and then to the draw bar which connects to the locomotive. I’m thinking if I had a very small brass or other type of conductive metal washer it would be better. Anyone have a source for super small n scale washers?

The other option is to try the z scale couple. I have a couple extras.

[peteski]

Yes, that kingpin screw is used for conducting electricity.  There are brass washers available in 00-90, 0-80, 1-72, and other sizes.  I still say try to use a 1023/1025 coupler. As I mentioned, brass locos were designed to utilize those.

[ATSF_Ron]

Thanks Peteski. I’m pretty sure I have some of those couplers. I’ve got a decent stash from about 20 years ago at least!  Are those washers you mentioned from Micro Trains?

[garethashenden]

Yes, that kingpin screw is used for conducting electricity.  There are brass washers available in 00-90, 0-80, 1-72, and other sizes.  I still say try to use a 1023/1025 coupler. As I mentioned, brass locos were designed to utilize those.

Thanks Peteski. I’m pretty sure I have some of those couplers. I’ve got a decent stash from about 20 years ago at least!  Are those washers you mentioned from Micro Trains?

Isn't this the coupler that was used originally that was too low? At least that's what the first post says:

The coupler number I'm using is 1025-1, pre assembled.