Uncouplers

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


P

p14shooter

Member
I dont seem to be able to find the answer I'm looking for, so I'll turn to the experts.

I have made a couple introductory posts, so I'll just cut to chase. I'm am starting to slowly get back into it after 40 years. So I have 40yo set up from my father's basement that has been boxed up for 40 years. In my reading about decouplers I'm wondering if there is an inline one that I can use on old stock. What I have seen on line does not seem to match I have. So is there such a device for me?
20250526_183643.jpg
20250526_183650.jpg
 
What few remote uncouplers that were ever made for Rapido couplers were horribly unreliable and would derail the car more often than they would uncouple the cars.
 
I know on the more modern cars these can be switched out. It does not look like these can be. Can the trucks be replaced then? Or are there other options available besides just buying new ones?
 


p14shooter said:
I know on the more modern cars these can be switched out. It does not look like these can be. Can the trucks be replaced then? Or are there other options available besides just buying new ones?
Click to expand...
On the car in the pictures, a Micro Trains 1000 truck/coupler set would fit and be a direct replacement.
 
bnsf971 said:
On the car in the pictures, a Micro Trains 1000 truck/coupler set would fit and be a direct replacement.
Click to expand...
I'm new to this forum and new to model railroading. Would you mind clueing me in as to how you knew the Micro Trains 1000 set would be the proper replacement? I see they're called Bettendorf trucks with short extension couplers and gather that Bettendorf refers to the prototype brand of truck. I ask because it's beginning to look as though truck/coupler replacement is the way I'll have to go if I want to standardize my cars on Micro Trains couplers. Just replacing the couplers is just a bit too fiddly for these old, less than steady hands.

Thanks so much for your help.
 
First, welcome! And yes, just swapping out the entire truck assembly is the easiest way to get them all compatible.
 


bnsf971 said:
On the car in the pictures, a Micro Trains 1000 truck/coupler set would fit and be a direct replacement.
Click to expand...
I am finallybl able to sit down and look at this. I was about to order something from them and realized it was couplers only. To fine a work for my fat thumbs. As no one is in the office now thought maybe you would be online to make sure this is the proper thing. And ouch. 10us for 1 and not a pair. I have 24 cars to replace. But. Definitely cheaper then replacing the cars I guess
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20250610_201320_Samsung Internet.jpg
    Screenshot_20250610_201320_Samsung Internet.jpg
    186.3 KB · Views: 156
Also, micro trains did get back to me about changing the engines but after I asked, they just gave me a.coupler conversion. Is it possible to change the trucks out on older bachmann f9 engines? I have done a Google search and all i get back are restoration vids
 
p14shooter said:
Also, micro trains did get back to me about changing the engines but after I asked, they just gave me a.coupler conversion. Is it possible to change the trucks out on older bachmann f9 engines? I have done a Google search and all i get back are restoration vids
Click to expand...
No. You'll need an MT conversion kit for the Bachmanns. They do need a special kit.
Not that it matters much, but I had to order an 1129 coupler set for a U50 I have.
 
So, I don't want to complain to micro trains, and look dumb (I'll do that here) but I just started changing the couplers on my rolling stock. Easier than I thought. But, the quality is poor to me. When securing the king pins, I am constantly knocking the wheels out. They are just sitting in the plastic trucks and obviously very flexible. Is this what I am to expect from any conversion kit I get?

Also, I am handsome (not handy) and I still can not figure out how to get the old couplers off the engines to replace them. I have the conversion kits, but its like I am reading greek. There is apparently a big train yard sale near me this weekend, maybe I'll take my stuff there, see if there is someone who can show me the errors of my ways
 
You must log in or register to reply here.




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top