Shank positions of MTL unassembled MTL couplers?

[OldEastRR]

Trying to replace busted coupler parts I have found there are different "styles" of coupler pieces: not just the shank, but how low the coupler head sits relative to the shank itself. Are all  these variations included in the 2 types of coupler kits (Both the old version and the RDA kind). Which are the only two kits available, unless there are others. Shipsure if you can answer this, thanks.

[jagged ben]

There are way more than two types of MTL couplers, kits and otherwise.  You need to be more specific.  It would probably help to mention the rolling stock you are working on.  Or post photos.

[OldEastRR]

These would be the coupler types with the interior spring inside the loop of the shank, not any "T" shanks. The types commonly used on truck-mounted couplers, whether MTL or somebody using MTL. There seem to be only 1025s and 1015/6s. Don't need special couplers like for the 89' flat.

[bbussey]

Of the centering-spring designs:

1015 — centering spring in front of the pivot post, standard shank height, standard shank length.
1016 — centering spring in front of the pivot post, standard shank height, extended shank length.
1025 — centering spring behind the pivot post, standard shank height, standard shank length.  Is 1023 unassembled.
2001 — centering spring in front of the pivot post, offset shank height, standard shank length.  Also referred to as 2003 at times.
2004 — centering spring in front of the pivot post, offset shank height, extended shank length.  At times packaged in combo with 2001.

Coupler boxes for 1015, 2001 and 2003 can accept 1015, 2001 and 2003 interchangeably.
Coupler boxes for 1016 and 2004 can accept 1016 and 2004 interchangeably.
Coupler box 1019 (TOFC/Auto Rack extended arm) uses 2004, but can be trimmed to accept 2001.
Coupler box for 1025 will accept only 1023 and 1025.

The MTL couplers used in integrated coupler boxes on various models from MTL and other various manufacturers vary based on the requirements.
The MTL clone couplers offered by other manufacturers are based on the 1015.
The knuckles of the MTL clone hybrid couplers offered by other manufacturers are based on the 1015.

[Kisatchie]

Of the centering-spring designs...

Don't forget the #1027 couplers.


Hmm... don't forget to
feed me, Kiz...

[JoeD]

yeah, what he said 

[thomasjmdavis]

Brian (et al),

I did not ask the original question, but thanks for that list- it does help answer some questions I had. 

Along the same lines, how does this equate to the older designations MT-5, MT-7, etc.

Also, I have several sets of replacement coupler springs, but of I note that the instructions and ordering data are not real clear (to me, anyway) as to which spring #1, #3, #4 (and I am guessing there is a #2) goes with which coupler.

And while I have the floor, are the couplers that equipped the Walthers passenger cars MT, or do they just look like MT?  I have been having some issues adjusting them, as they seem rather more delicate than the ones on my MT passenger cars, and the trip pins on the Walthers cars (as delivered) were set much too low (fouling in turnouts), and have been difficult to adjust without busting something.

[bbussey]

There are different springs for various scenarios, or rather, there were at one point.  But as far as I know, the same spring (MTL's designation is "N-8") is used for 1015, 1016, 1019, 2001 and 2004.  I don't know if it is used in the 1023/1025.  I only know of the types used for OEM purposes in ESM products.

[OldEastRR]

Thanks, guys. Specifically I'm wondering what MT couplers were used on WOT 6-wheel trucks on their 70' baggage. They look the same as the trucks on the older Harrimans but are designed completely differently as to coupler pockets.

[nkalanaga]

The 1015 and 1016 used to be interchangeable, and I still have a few VERY old kits that included both shanks and a box, choose the length you need.  If they still use the same box, then 2004 should also work in the 1015 boxes.

The 1023/1025 is also used in the truck-mounted couplers on freight trucks.  A few years back I ordered 500 pair of boxes for them, and recycled the couplers to convert my boxcars to body mounts.  I still have a lifetime supply for future purchases.

The 1015 and 1025 springs certainly LOOK the same to me.

[djconway]

Many questions answered here --> [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

How I wish they had kept this available on their web site.

[Doug G.]

That information IS still available on the site. Just go to "Conversions" and click near the top where it says "Click here for Coupler exploded view diagrams".

The information in the old paper guide had some diagrams that identified each component in each coupler kit like the spring number (N1, N4, etc.), shank number (MT-7, MT-9, etc.), that aren't necessarily in the exploded views.

EDIT: Oops, my faux pas. That information IS included in the PDF for the basic coupler styles so it's the same as the old paper guide.

Doug

[OldEastRR]

This might be confusing: I'm not talking about the length of the shank. What I see is where the shank attaches on the coupler head. I've seen where the shank attaches low on the head, meaning the head sits higher than the regular center-attached shank. Then there are shanks that attach pretty high on the coupler head. In each case the tongue part of the coupler also has a shank height attachment to match the coupler head height. These are RDA-types so I assume if I just get 1015s and 1016s kits I'll be OK.

[Chris333]

Isn't this what you are looking for:
http://micro-trainsline.com/download/mtl_couplerdiagrams.pdf
I have it printed out and hanging in the basement.

They call offset shank "underslung".

[Doug G.]

The diagrams indicate the position of the coupler to the shank too. Middle - high - low.

Doug