Micro Trains Couplers for Con-Cor (Kato) E-8

[woodone]

Looking for a MT coupler for an E-8 made by Kato for Con-Cor.
This unit has a three piece frame- with trucks made up of several pieces . 4 screws holding all parts together
I think these were made by Kato for Con-Cor like I stated above. The Micro Trains coupler for the Kato E-8 does not fit.
The one listed for Con-Cor is no better, has far has I can tell.

[Lenny53]

Should be the same as the PA/DL109, MT1103

[thomasjmdavis]

Yep, the conversion chart on the MTL site shows the 1103.  Which is to say, an 1128 on the back end [EDIT: Turns out I was wrong about that.  The 1103 kit has couplers for both the front and back trucks, but neither is an 1128- instead both have plastic fittings to modify the coupler pockets on the trucks], and whatever they came up with to fit the "t" shaped mounting in the moving pilot on the front end.  Oddly, it also fits a Minitrix F unit. 

There is a diagram here: https://micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=625&search=1103

I think it was my first or second conversion, probably 25 or 30 years ago.  It was not exactly fun, probably lost some springs and cussed a lot.  But it is still on and still works.

[Lenny53]

  It was not exactly fun, probably lost some springs and cussed a lot. 

You sir are a master of the understatement.  I go the easy route and use short Unimates which FVM still produce.

[thomasjmdavis]

You sir are a master of the understatement.  I go the easy route and use short Unimates which FVM still produce.

Well, it was a long time ago Lenny, that I bought my last Con-cor locos.  I also did MTL conversion on my first (1987?) Kato F unit. But since, almost all of my cab units came with knuckle couplers, and any installations I have done amount to installing a 1015 with its box or something comparable.  Unimates for between the ABBA locos, but I like the working couplers on the nose, as the planned layout will require a large amount of terminal switching and I will need to be able to disconnect locos from their trains under the trainshed.

[woodone]

Yes, I did see the MT #1103. The problem I have is that the 1128 adaptor has no place to mount. Plus if you were to insert the 1128 adaptor into the slot it would create a short, seeing that the two metal, half’s pick up power.

[peteski]

Yes, I did see the MT #1103. The problem I have is that the 1128 adaptor has no place to mount. Plus if you were to insert the 1128 adaptor into the slot it would create a short, seeing that the two metal, half’s pick up power.

Back when these locos were "a thing", the 1128 adapters were likely made of black plastic (Delrin).  They started castign them in metal years later.

[thomasjmdavis]

Yes, I did see the MT #1103. The problem I have is that the 1128 adaptor has no place to mount. Plus if you were to insert the 1128 adaptor into the slot it would create a short, seeing that the two metal, half’s pick up power.

The 1128 is for the rear truck of the E unit.  The front has a different coupler altogether- as is evident if you look at the diagram that MTL provides at the link I provided in my first post on this thread. I was wrong about there being an 1128 coupler as part of the 1103 kit.  Both couplers in the kit have a unique plastic mounting that modifies the coupler pocket to fit an MTL "T" shank coupler.  The 1103 coupler info on the MTL website includes a diagram showing installation in a Minitrix F unit but installation in a Con-Cor/Kato  PA or E is similar.

[woodone]

Pete, I have never seen a plastic 1128  or an plastic 1129.
I have been N scale for a good number of years going back to the 60’s (Postage Stamp Trains) and had not run across one.
That might have worked.
Tom- the coupler I am now working on is for the rear- guess the front will be a new adventure?
Funny thing about this model— it is in a Kato case- the chassis is made up of three metal parts with a insulator plate between, like an Con-Cor.
The shell is stamped Riveroissi . The trucks are made up of two metal half’s with plastic side frames with four screws holding parts together.
BTW any one have the Micro-Trains conversion book? The yellow three ring binder one. Micro -Trains was to make up-date sheets once you bought one. I got one and never saw a new sheet to add. LOL

[ncbqguy]

Some photos of the engine you have would be useful.
The Rivarossi E8 has showed up on a number of mechanisms by several importers.
I am not familiar with the ones that followed the Con-Cor / Kato mech.
Rivarossi and Arnold Rapido had limited production through new importers and the unit might be one of them.
The various Micro-Trains T-shank couplers work well enough or you might try a Kato coupler as they are T-shank as well. 
They will at least couple but might not have all the uncoupling and delayed drop function.
Charlie Vlk

[Mark5]

Maybe the OP can identify which chassis he has by looking at the pix on Mark's (Spookshow) site:

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/cce78.html

[thomasjmdavis]

Well....turns out we are wrong.  Opened up the rear truck on my Con-Cor PA and it is NOT a 1128 on the back end.  Similar coupler, but the mounting is plastic, and larger, than the casting (metal or otherwise) included with the 1128 couplers. 

[peteski]

IIRC from reading the Kato 50th anniversary hardcover book translation, the models (like the PA) which Kato made for Con-Cor were also sold under Kato name (in Kato packaging) in Japan.  But the E8 and E7 shells were not from Kato.  Spookshow's write up has plenty of info about the E-units.

So Jerry, the chassis of your model doesn't look like:

From Spookshow's site.

As for all the coupler questions (which coupler to use and the yellow binder booklet), maybe @MTLJoe  could shed some light on things?

[woodone]

Pete, the model I have looks just like the photo from Spookshows page you have shown.
Just weird that it’s in a Kato plastic case, and the shell is marked Riverossi.
Working on getting coupler in it now,
Will let you know what I come up with.

[peteski]

Pete, the model I have looks just like the photo from Spookshows page you have shown.
Just weird that it’s in a Kato plastic case, and the shell is marked Riverossi.
Working on getting coupler in it now,
Will let you know what I come up with.

Does the Kato box have the original cardboard insert that confirms that it is a Kato E8? Is there a plastic or foam nest that fits the loco? If not, is it possible that you got this model 2nd hand, and someone just put it in a Kato box.