80 ft passenger car truck mounted couplers

[tc1961N]

Is it better to convert to body mounted couplers or service the existing?

Thanks

 

[trailrider]

I think it depends on two things: the minimum radius of the curves around which the car will operate, and (2) whether you will be pulling the car most of the time, or doing a lot of switching that pushes the car. I have a number of 85 ft. passenger cars that I run in one train that I run on 20" minimum radius curves. The cars have truck-mounted couplers and do just fine. But they are being pulled. I don't switch them where they would be in compression. You might consider body-mounting the couplers using extended draftgear. Kadee makes some type (don't recall the number), but you would have to be sure they don't interfere with the swing of the trucks. Best of luck.

 

[Iron Horseman]

Is it better to convert to body mounted couplers or service the existing?

As trailrider says it depends. What is the minimum radius, and how prophetically close do you want them to couple?

Many passenger cars (IHC, AHM, Rivarossi) not only have truck mounted couplers but also have trucks that do not pivot in the center.

Walthers makes a swing coupler (910-200), and Kadee makes one also (#451).