Bachmann Spectrum SD45 Coupler Conversion

[Chulvis]

Has anyone ever switched out the Rapido coupler for a Micro Trains coupler? The MTL website conversion chart says to use a 1015 but I am finding that the back of the coupler box is rubbing up against the truck restricting its movement. Any ideas?

[nscalesteve]

Any ideas?

yes, keep the MTL #1015 and exchange the SD45 with one from Kato...   :-*

[Chulvis]

Let me rephrase that: Does anyone have any good ideas?  ;D

[Mark5]

Chuck,

Daniel Leavitt got suckered into a few of these - he converted them to M-T's - wait for him to chime in.

Mark

[Ryan87]

Maybe try using an Accumate coupler/box from an Atlas locomotive. As far as I know the 1015 has the most clearance behind the screw 903 & 1023's are worse.

As an aside Does anyone have closeup pictures of this locomotive? (particularly top down & ends)
Also is the hood and walkway one piece or separate?

[Mark5]

FWIW, I have held this loco in my hands - the loco is junk. There is a huge gap between the trucks and the sill. The radiator flares suck. Early runs were missing the blower duct. Model of the year 1976. Junk in 2007.

Some pix here:

http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=43067&SearchTerms=sd45

[3rdrail]

Question, how are you fastening the 1015 to the shell? If you are using the clips provided (if the SD45 has them), can you remove them and drill and tap a hole for the 1015 screw allowing it to clear the truck?

Did Bachmann really add the blower duct and not tell anyone?

[Chulvis]

Question, how are you fastening the 1015 to the shell? If you are using the clips provided (if the SD45 has them), can you remove them and drill and tap a hole for the 1015 screw allowing it to clear the truck?

Did Bachmann really add the blower duct and not tell anyone?

The stock coupler is body mounted, so the hole is already there.

[Ryan87]

FWIW, I have held this loco in my hands - the loco is junk. There is a huge gap between the trucks and the sill. The radiator flares suck. Early runs were missing the blower duct. Model of the year 1976. Junk in 2007.

Thanks

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Hmm, Chuck, I think you're in a pickle here.

I'm betting this isn't for you, is it?

Guys, we all know this thing looks like Tivo found it steaming in his Yard, but our boy needs our help.

Where did Daniel get to?

[bsoplinger]

How about the Red Caboose Unimate HOn3/N body mount coupler? Just slide the back hole on the coupler shank onto the little bracket thingie on the original coupler holder and click back onto the body?

I've never seen the SD-45 but I'm assuming from the mention of 1015's vs 1130/31/32/33/34/35 that it isn't the standard Bachmann truck mounted coupler.

[Chulvis]

Hmm, Chuck, I think you're in a pickle here.

I'm betting this isn't for you, is it?

Guys, we all know this thing looks like Tivo found it steaming in his Yard, but our boy needs our help.

Where did Daniel get to?

You Win, Ed! No, it is not for me.

I have a local customer who is in the USA on a one year assignment for his company. He keeps buying inexpensive items on eBay and then coming to me to fix them up for him. I cannot seem to make him understand that he is probably spending more money in the end doing it his way.
He wants DCC, so he buys an MRC system on eBay only to find out he cannot run any analog locos on it.
He buys a Kato loco on eBay, comes to me for a decoder only to find out that the loco he bought is not DCC ready and has to have the frame milled. (It was an older Kato release)
He bought a Lenz Decoder on ebay thinking he could slide it into any American loco...wrong...
Now he has bought this SD45 and wants knuckle couples installed. I can't wait to see the look on his face when I tell him the installation price.
This is the same guy that bought an Athearn tank car last week. He takes it home and when he removes it from the box, one of the wheel sets comes off. He drives all the way back to my shop and shows it to me. I take it from his hands, snap the wheels back into place on the truck and roll it on my test track...perfect.
Never thought to try that himself. I think he assumed there must have been something wrong or defective.

This has been very frustrating because I am trying to help the guy out but he is just not listening to me.

Today he asked me if I had any grass mats in stock.

 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I remember those customers Chuck. It's a tough place to be. I wish I could help you out here.

I blame the manufacturers for making crap in the first place

[Robbman]

Message deleted

[Chulvis]

Easy coupler conversion...


Place SD45 on concrete surface.

Bash with 20lb sledge

Indeed. It may be time for this....



artwork compliments of Ed