what couplers for a Bachmann-Spectrum 86016 and Model Power 8230 & ?

[foxofinfinety]

what couplers for a Bachmann-Spectrum 86016 and Model Power 8230 & 6756?

I currently have 3 models that both have hook couplers:
Bachmann-Spectrum 86016 - CSX # 7658 GE Dash 8-40CW
Model Power 6756 - BNSF #2760 GP9
Model Power 8230 - ATSF40' flatcar with guard rail

I don't really like those couplers, they have 0 realism and they also just look bad, granted, they work fine..., but I want to replace them with knuckle couplers.
problem is, I don't know which.

bachmann does have own EZ-mate couplers but again, they have several and I don't know which would fit the Dash 8.
I also hear about Kadee quite often, they do have an overview of which coupler I'd need for which locomotive/car, and if I see it right I need a #37 for the Dash 8 and a #5 OR a #27 for the 40' flatcar, but the GP9 is not listed.
and I'm not completely sure if I do indeed see it right....

 

[LoudMusic]

Kadee is really the gold standard for model train couplers. Their matrix of HO couplers is found here: http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/coupler.htm

As for finding the right one, there are a few measurements to be concerned with, the mounting/centering style, and metal or plastic. Real couplers mount to the body of the car, not the truck. If your units need conversion and you're up to the task then you'll probably be using Kadee couplers with the included mounting boxes. If not, then you might want to determine the style of centering spring that would work with your units and work from there. Then all you need to determine is length and height. The knuckles are essentially the same on all HO scale Kadee couplers (by design so they ALL couple with each other), so the length of the shank and how the knuckle is positioned on the shank are all that matter for making sure it has clearance off the end of the unit and is at a consistent height with the rest of your fleet (and perhaps the standard height for mixing stock with other modelers).

Plastic versus metal is a consideration for electrical insulation, mostly. I've never personally seen a coupler pull apart under extreme load, but if you think you'll be pulling trains of over 50 cars with accurate weight up a hill then metal might be necessary, with a plastic mounting box for insulation. Otherwise plastic couplers make insulating between metal bodied equipment much easier.

Centering springs from Kadee are either attached 'whiskers', a separate bronze piece that fits around the coupler, and wound centering spring on tight clearance couplers.

Whisker

Bronze box

Wound spring

Then you'd need to determine length and height. Length is described as short, medium, long, and extra long. Height is described as underset, centerset, and overset.

Hopefully what you can see in the following examples is that the coupler's knuckle is always at the same height, but the mounting arrangement is at a different height. This is to accommodate different styles of cars and locomotives. Each of these is a short shank where the knuckle is very near the mounting box. The only changed measurement should be to the bottom and top of the box.

Underset

Centerset

Overset

And the last three should well depict the difference in lengths. Each of these is an overset knuckle. The only measurement that should change is the distance from the pivot point to the backside of the knuckle. This is to provide better clearance from the mounting area of the car or locomotive to the end of the car, or to provide better performance through curves. If the coupler is too short it may cause the cars' corners to touch while going around curves and could derail equipment. Alternatively if they're too long they tend to look bad and are sometimes difficult to keep centered or controlled properly.

Short

Medium

Long

This may seem like an OH-MY-GOD amount of information but it's really super simple. You want it to be long enough to clear the end of the unit and at a reasonable height so you don't have to worry about it snagging the ground or sliding off the coupler it's hitched to.
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[foxofinfinety]

...yeah, hm, actually I need something that will just fit, if I need to modify anything I rather just keep what's there.
I tried to modify something once, and it didn't go right, and I don't want to experiment on these.

 

[galaxy]

I currently have 3 models that both have hook couplers:
Bachmann-Spectrum 86016 - CSX # 7658 GE Dash 8-40CW
Model Power 6756 - BNSF #2760 GP9
Model Power 8230 - ATSF40' flatcar with guard rail

I don't really like those couplers, they have 0 realism and they also just look bad, granted, they work fine..., but I want to replace them with knuckle couplers.
problem is, I don't know which.

bachmann does have own EZ-mate couplers but again, they have several and I don't know which would fit the Dash 8.
I also hear about Kadee quite often, they do have an overview of which coupler I'd need for which locomotive/car, and if I see it right I need a #37 for the Dash 8 and a #5 OR a #27 for the 40' flatcar, but the GP9 is not listed.
and I'm not completely sure if I do indeed see it right....

According to the Kadee Coupler conversion chart here:
http://www.kadee.com/conv/holist.pdf

you need these # Kadee couplers for your BAchmann Spectrum:
GE Dash 8-40C ......................... 37, (31 Front w/Plow)
GE Dash 8-40CW Wide Cab...... 37,( 31 Front w/Plow)

The model power GP 9 is not listed.
The flat car {unless its a depressed flat car} is also not listed, BUT most people use either Kadee #5 or #148 for general purpsoe uses.

I do not see,on Bachmann's site any reference to or parts for the Dash8 couplers, but you can hunt and poke around more if you like:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/prod_serv.php

SOrry I can't be of more help
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[foxofinfinety]

I don't know if the dash 8 has a plow...

and I also have no idea if the flat car is a deprecated product, but I think it may be, I can't find number 8230 on modelpower.com, but there is a 98230 so I think it was replaced by a new one, as that is the same car, except that one does have knuckle couplers....
I may send then an email to see if it is indeed replaced, it does look so, and then I can also ask if the couplers on the new one also fit this, and if so if I can order them separately, I can then also ask about the GP9.


speaking of the GP9, I'm quite sure it is deprecated, its not on the site at all, not just not that one, but no GP9 at all.

 

[LoudMusic]

Galaxy is spot-on about Kadee #5. I think that's all I ever bought when I converted my fleet from horn-hooks to knuckle couplers. Though I had to do some modifications to make it fit in some of my less-standard equipment. If they don't fit on the ones you've got you'll use them eventually on something else. If you don't get a direct answer it's worth buying a set of #5 couplers and trying them out. From there you can guestimate what it is you do need and buy the right thing.
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[foxofinfinety]

ok so then it would be, two #37 or one #37 and one #31 if the dash 8 has a plow and then four #5?

and true, I'll probably use them eventually, but, how do I know if the dash 8 has a plow? I don't really know what that looks like....

 

[LoudMusic]

I don't think you can get them without a plow. It's the thing at the front bottom of the locomotive just above the tracks and around the coupler that looks like a ... plow. It has a square hole on each side for the hoses and cables to fit through.

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[diburning]

I don't think you can get them without a plow. It's the thing at the front bottom of the locomotive just above the tracks and around the coupler that looks like a ... plow. It has a square hole on each side for the hoses and cables to fit through.

That's an atlas model.

The bachmann model may not have one

 

[galaxy]

I currently have 3 models that both have hook couplers:
Bachmann-Spectrum 86016 - CSX # 7658 GE Dash 8-40CW
Model Power 6756 - BNSF #2760 GP9
Model Power 8230 - ATSF40' flatcar with guard rail

I don't really like those couplers, they have 0 realism and they also just look bad, granted, they work fine..., but I want to replace them with knuckle couplers.
problem is, I don't know which.

bachmann does have own EZ-mate couplers but again, they have several and I don't know which would fit the Dash 8.
I also hear about Kadee quite often, they do have an overview of which coupler I'd need for which locomotive/car, and if I see it right I need a #37 for the Dash 8 and a #5 OR a #27 for the 40' flatcar, but the GP9 is not listed.
and I'm not completely sure if I do indeed see it right....

While the Atlas version clearly hs a plow on it,
here is the info from bachmann's site on the subject loco:


However, this version:
GE Dash 8-40CW


Road Name: BNSF #812

Product Information
This wide-cab style locomotive was originally offered by General Electric as an option for the Dash 8-40C, later becoming the standard for their series of contemporary freight locomotives. We?re proud to honor General Electric?s high standards with our HO Scale Spectrum? Dash 8-40CW.

Features include:

? DCC-equipped for speed, direction, and lighting
? die-cast frame
? 5-pole, skew wound motor
? machined brass flywheels
? directional lighting
? finescale detail parts
? RP25 wheels


DOES NOT appear to have a plow on it at all.
Then there is this version:

GE Dash 8-40CW


Road Name: Conrail #6087

Product Information
This wide-cab style locomotive was originally offered by General Electric as an option for the Dash 8-40C, later becoming the standard for their series of contemporary freight locomotives. We?re proud to honor General Electric?s high standards with our HO Scale Spectrum? Dash 8-40CW.

Features include:

? DCC-equipped for speed, direction, and lighting
? die-cast frame
? 5-pole, skew wound motor
? machined brass flywheels
? directional lighting
? finescale detail parts
? RP25 wheels

A previous version of this model is shown for illustration purposes.

NOr does this version appear to have a plow.
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[foxofinfinety]

those are different ones, mine is not DCC equipped.

but I took a look, no plow.
so I need 2x #37 and 4x #5

 

[galaxy]

those are different ones, mine is not DCC equipped.

but I took a look, no plow.
so I need 2x #37 and 4x #5

See, now taht wasn't so hard at all. A little research, a littel googling maybe, and you come up with the answers.
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