Kadee #28 on a Athearn RTR AC4400 ??

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C

CP6027

Member
I always used Kadee number 5 on just about everything. I happen on to Kadees' conversion pdf file and see they recommend a number #28 for my AC4400. #28 is a Medium (9/32") center set shank just like a #5 except it's insulated?

Kadee
20-Series Couplers
Multi-Purpose Insulated Coupler Kit
Body or Truck (Talgo) Mount

Why would these need to be insulated? Do they mean they are plastic couplers or are they metal?

By the way anybody use the #148 whisker style centering spring type couplers?
 
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Insulated couplers are intended for metal chassis locos that may run back to back.
There is a potential for a short if the coating on the shank wears out.
I've had it happen once on an older BB unit, but I also run #5's in all.
I've used the whisker couplers, better clearance in the coupler box and no unsightly shiny brass showing thru.
 
I run #5 on most of my rolling stock. Like you, I happened upon the Kadee site, and copied it off. It is now taped in a conspicuous spot on the side of my work bench.

I found that many times the #5's are too short on some of my steam engines. The longer shank couplers are a necessity then. Also some of the E and F units with the long pilot have problems with #5's. In which case I go with the recommendations from Kadee. And unless you are really looking and know your stuff, you won't even tell the difference.

Bob
 


Something I found with the Kadee 'recommendations' is they're off in height enough I had to go with either an over or underset shank coupler. As to the whole metal vs. plastic shank shorting deal - never had that happen. That's mainly because I've been able to get away with using a standard #5 coupler box on many of my diesels and that insulates the coupler from the loco frame. And even the other draft gear boxes Kadee has will insulate the coupler from the frame.
 
I used the #5 couplers until I found the #148s. For a ready to run AC4400, with its plastic coupler box, both are fine. I run a longer shank coupler (46 or 47, can't remember which) on the front to extend far enough to use the snowplow. Some people don't like the long shanked ones since it's not "prototypical," but for me, it is pure function. When I'm running a consist, I don't have derailment problems because the trip pin on the freight car's coupler doesn't hit the snowplow and uncouple or derail.
 
ICG/SOU said:
I used the #5 couplers until I found the #148s. For a ready to run AC4400, with its plastic coupler box, both are fine. I run a longer shank coupler (46 or 47, can't remember which) on the front to extend far enough to use the snowplow. Some people don't like the long shanked ones since it's not "prototypical," but for me, it is pure function. When I'm running a consist, I don't have derailment problems because the trip pin on the freight car's coupler doesn't hit the snowplow and uncouple or derail.
Click to expand...
Had to do that on the P2K E6/7/8 A units - no snow plow but the pilot really stuck out.
 
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