Bachmann 2-8-0 Z Scale coupler issue

[johnb]

Today I wired up about half of my HCD layout, and started testing my trackwork only to discover that one rail was sitting a little high, causing the pilot truck to derail. I cleaned up the bump, and derailment continued. I then realized that the pilot truck was hitting the MTL 905 that I installed. Does anyone have a way to extend the coupler boxes mounting point?

[Chris333]

You can chop the back of the coupler box off. I'll post pics later when I get home.

[johnb]

I thought about that, but I wasn't sure if it would cause issues with the coupler

[Chris333]

There is even an offical Microtrains diagram that shows how to cut the back off.

[nkalanaga]

Almost anything behind the pivot post can be removed, as long as you leave enough to hold the spring in.  The limit is when the spring falls out, or the wheels hit the coupler shank.  If you pull the coupler forwards, everything behind the shank can easily be removed with a sharp knife, and there will still be enough to hold the spring.  The sides can be trimmed a little, as long as you make sure the spring stays in when the coupler is all the way over.  Just don't try trimming until the coupler is screwed down, because it's very hard to hold the parts together with the rear missing!

I've had to trim a lot of them on my narrow gauge, and it doesn't seem to hurt the operation at all.

For those interested, the same technique works on the 1025 couplers.  The only difference is the size of the parts.

[Chris333]

Here is mine:



You can just slide an exacto into the coupler and push down on a flat surface, flip it over and do the to side. You can cut it back, as long as the spring doesn't fall out you'll be fine.

[johnb]

Thanks, I used a razor saw

[nkalanaga]

With a sharp knife one doesn't even have to turn it over.  Score the top a few times, then push a bit harder, and the box cuts through very nicely, and it's easier to hold when it's screwed down.  The cover, against the pilot deck, probably isn't in the way anyway, so wouldn't have to be trimmed.

[nscaleSPF2]

johnb, is the derail issue solved?  Just asking.  There could be something else going on, based on my experience with the 2-8-0.

[johnb]

johnb, is the derail issue solved?  Just asking.  There could be something else going on, based on my experience with the 2-8-0.

yes it is. Once I took the coupler off, I knew what it was

[nscaleSPF2]

OK, that's great.

[strummer]

yes it is. Once I took the coupler off, I knew what it was

So......?

Mark in Oregon

[johnb]

It works