Converting Bluford 86' to MTL Couplers

[flight2000]

Anyone out there tried to convert their Bluford Shops Auto Parts boxcars to Micro-Trains yet?  If so, what did you use for the conversion?

Thanks in advance,

Brian

[Walkercolt]

I thought Bluford was gonna use MT's. What did they use instead?  ???

[flight2000]

Bluford Shops decided to go with the Accumates.  You might be thinking of the Trainworx versions which are going with MTL trucks and couplers.

Guess I'll have to get a few packs of everything in the next order to see what will fit.

Thanks,
Brian

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Step one, go out and buy yourself a pair of these suckers:



Seriously, what's the problem with the accumates? Are the cars not behaving?

[bobcat]

I have had absolutely no problem with the Accumates on my two Bluford cars. Even right behind SD40-2s and SD70Ms with stock Kato couplers around 15" radii turnaround.

Wish i could say that for other cars that I wouldn't expect a problem with.

[NA Tower]

I have 8 of them in a row in the beginning of a 40 car train and have not had one problem.
About 98% of my cars are MTL too..

Thanx

Rob

[flight2000]

The cars that I have with accumates have taken a serious disliking to Kato switches.  I've had to either severely bend the trip pins or in some cases just remove them completely because they are picking the frogs.  The Athearn cars seem to be the worst offenders with trip pins that are hanging to low.   It's just frustration more then anything because I don't have the same issues with the MTL couplers.

Brian

[Mark5]

I read about problems with trip pins. One of the first things I learned with Kadee N scale couplers (now MT) was to check the pin height (and adjust as needed) against this:


http://www.micro-trains.com/pl-ToolsAcc.php

Is there something I am missing?

[asarge]

I snip all trip pins about half way up. Unless the coupler is hanging low, that takes care of any switch-picker pins.

[bobcat]

Brian, my whole layout is Unitrack and still no problems with the Bluford cars and I have lots of switches, mostly #6s, but a few #4s. I have had a few problems you spoke of, but not all that much and I just bend the trip pins like I would on an MT. It doesn't take much.

[Walkercolt]

Bob, if that doesn't cause "drop the pin" syndrome on an Accu-Mate, sounds fine.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I just pull the pins out. I don't see the point in magnetic uncoupling anyway. It's always felt more "gimmicky" than anything else to me.

[bobcat]

Most times it's not like you need a whole lot of clearance to clear the switches. So bending them most times is not a problem and if they do fall out, I got to go with Ed here. I don't use magnetic uncoupling either.

[Walkercolt]

Usually my Accu-Mates that lose their pins quit working, especially in long trains. Could be just me, I don't know. The McHenry's on the F-45's seem pretty reliable(so far), but I still worry about losing that tiny spring. I've been known to do some "operations" with the MT magnets.

[flight2000]

Sorry if I started the "us vs them" discussion.  Certainly not what I was looking to accomplish. 

It's a personal preference of mine to go with the MTL at this point.  Besides, the Trainworx cars will have the MTL trucks and couplers so I'd like to pick one or the other to stick with.  My FP45's are in the mail, so I'll get my first look at the new McHenry couplers and those may be an option at some point if they ever release them in mass quantities.

I've got the same tool as NandW plus the coupler height gauge tool so it's not all bad dealing with unruly couplers.  Clipping the trip pins is also a good trick since I use picks to uncouple cars.  Unfortunately, my kids prefer the 0-5-0 method for uncoupling....  :

Thanks,
Brian