couplers

[toptech]

Hello: I'm new to N scale. I am running new KATO F3's  Western Pacifics pulling a mix of KATO fluted California Zephyr & Con-Cor fluted California Zephyr pass. cars.  Problem is the KATO knuckle coupler's height is higher than the Con-Cors & they keep uncoupling. Is there an easy fix to changing the knuckle height without installing all new couplers. These are truck mounted couplers. I do not want to install body mounted adapters. Any ideas would help.

[nkalanaga]

My "modern" Con-Cor passenger cars had the same problem, regardless of what I ran them with.  The old "smoothside" cars, from the late 1960s, were fine.

No, I know of no way to adjust the height on these.  Changing to Unimate dummy couplers might work, but finding them may be a problem.  As far as I know, they've been out of production for some time.

Changing trucks might work, but that would cost more than changing the couplers, AND you might have trouble finding new trucks that fit the CC cars.

Heating the couple mount, and bending them up a little, would probably work, but you'd have to be very careful not to melt the truck, or burn your fingers.

[UP4-8-8-4]

Unimate coupler's now packaged under Red Caboose.
I bought from this dealer the short and medium shank Unimate's to change over a couple thousand older freight cars, and long shank for 60 or so older passenger sets from Con-Cor in Smoothside, Corrugated as well as Rivarossi Heavyweights.
Always keeps them in stock.

https://store.sbs4dcc.com/search.aspx?find=red+caboose+unimate+couplers

[nickelplate759]

If your Con-Cor cars have the one-piece oversize dummy knuckle couplers on them then yes, that's your problem. They're too low.    Heck, they don't even match up with and stay coupled to each other!.  Con-Cor eventually moved to a newer, smaller dummy with a fake coupling pin, or real Micro-Trains couplers (extra $ and worth it).

And I agree, the inexpensive solution, if you are happy with a dummy coupler, is the Unimate/Red Caboose/Fox Valley coupler.  That's how I solved the problem

[MK]

Changing to Unimate dummy couplers might work, but finding them may be a problem.  As far as I know, they've been out of production for some time.

Unimate coupler's now packaged under Red Caboose.

To further add they are now under Fox Valley Model.

[dem34]

So, stupid question. Do those dummy couplers just slot into Rapido coupler boxes? If so that'd really handy for a project I'm working on.

[nickelplate759]

Unimates?  Yes they do.

[wm3798]

Does Fox Valley still offer the version that has the screw mounts?  The shank had a flat plate with two holes drilled in it...  They're nice because you can make them swivel side to side without flopping up or down in a body mount situation.

Lee

[dem34]

Unimates?  Yes they do.

Thanks

[UP4-8-8-4]

To further add they are now under Fox Valley Model.

I had a couple hundred packs under Unimate and Red Caboose.

Also had Fox Valley, and you're right, now under Fox Valley.

[glakedylan]

OK. I will own my ignorance on these (unimates).


How does one get the original couplers out of their pocket on the trucks
and then how do you install the unimates?


I have broken way too many to count.
Add to that old eyes, trembling hands, less-than-nimble fingers,
and far too little patience.


Thanks!

[Missaberoad]

For concor passenger cars I would recommend the original Kato knuckle couplers they don't look amazing but stay coupled and otherwise work well.

[wm3798]

You have to breathe through your eyelids, and BE the coupler.

[glakedylan]

You have to breathe through your eyelids, and BE the coupler.

Sounds like a bit of BULL to me.
Can you pitch me another option?


Gary

[dem34]

You Basically need to push the spring back, turn the coupler sideways. Then lever the knuckle downwards.