Scale Trains 5188 Hoppers In at MBK

[jereising]

I don't disagree - but remember from whence they came:  Athearn, IIRC.  Which explains the McHenry thing.

But whilst crucifying ST, how about something from MT to address this sort of thing?

I believe we were told (or hinted at) that there would be additions to the TSC line. 

Those of us who have equipped some of our equipment would like some assistance for the rest...I've done well over 100 cars and would like to do more, but the kluge factor is just too much at this point.  And I am loathe to do unreversible damage to a $30 car in the interest of said TSC.

[jpwisc]

I ran tests on the layout last night. The TS couplers come together more easily than the ST. I ordered up some MT 1015s to swap under hoppers. I’ll probably do that when I pull the trucks out to weather everything. I would love to see MT add some TS conversion couplers to their line. Start with something for my BLMA PD hoppers.

[w neal]

Thats just it. $30 for a freight car with THOSE couplers. Disappointing.

[jpwisc]

I started swapping MT 1015s under the 5188 hoppers. Massive pain in the ars. If I could remove the cut lever from the outside mount, it may go quicker. ST mounted the coupler boxes about .080” too far out on each end. Even with the better performing MT couplers in place, they look wrong. I can see about .030” of the MT spring under the crossover platform.
I took pics with my phone, so they’ll probably rotate when I post them here, but you’ll get the gist.
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[jpwisc]

The MT couplers are short shank, and because of the ST coupler box design, they stick out .016” further than the ST coupler. To make matters worse, if you convert to the MT coupler, watch out for the cut lever. If it slides too far into the hole on the bottom of the coupler box, it jams into the MT spring.

[Cajonpassfan]

...


* The wheels have a wider tread than the FVM 3601s, so I will be swapping them out.

Well, that's a bummer. I was told in KC these will be available separately in 33" size as well, and I was hoping to use them as a substitute for the unavailable FVM's. And, I find it annoying to have to pay for an expensive wheelset twice, but that's another conversation...
Thanks for posting these pics, Gary.
Otto
PS: your ballast is simply the best ever.

[GaryHinshaw]

Thanks Otto.  The FVM wheel situation is indeed frustrating (especially for Matt, I'm sure).  Note that MBK does have a few bags of 3302 wheels in stock if that axle length (0.553") happens to work for you.  And just to confirm, the ST 33" wheels have the same tread width as their 36" wheels, as seen in this end view of a pair of carbon black hoppers (left: ST 33" wheels, right: FVM 33" wheels):



That's a bummer about the 1015 couplers, @jpwisc.  Would a 1025 coupler - with the spring behind the post - possibly solve this problem? (Slinky effect aside.)

Where is the best place to buy Lee English Couplers?

Sorry @Ogden Rails, I just noticed this query.  A few years ago, several of us purchased these couplers directly from Lee English:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=21980.msg324793#msg324793

I believe he is still willing to sell them this way, so that is where I would start.  However, these are bare couplers without pockets.  The etched brass pockets were a custom run from PPD in Scotland.  If anyone is interested, PM me, and I will try to arrange for another run when I return home in a month or so.  In the meantime, it would be good if someone could ping Lee to confirm that he is still willing to selling the couplers directly.

-gfh

[Mark5]

I really don't like the ScaleTrains couplers ... 

But, I'm not as hard core as some of us here.

I installed Accumates on one of mine - a very simple swap.

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However, maybe the coupler box is a tad narrower than the accumate box, so the coupler does not move as freely (side to side for instance) as it should.

I decided not to convert the other one I have yet, as I'm not sure if I'll end up removing the entire coupler box or what (will decide that when I actually have a layout to work with).

Mark

[soo]

I think the new mfg's are using deception tactics.
1. Here look at the new car,,all purty,,details out the wazoo,,great printing.
2. But,,,,the coupler still sucks.

I really don't have a horse in the race.,,except for the carbon black cars. The mfgs will still use the garbage coupler,,,because the modelers will continue to buy

Cya, Y-it

[GaryHinshaw]

I think the new mfg's are using deception tactics.

That’s a bit harsh. Except for the couplers, these are great cars.

[peteski]

I chimed in about the Scale Trains couplers in another thread, and I'll say it again here: It really puzzles me as to why a new model train manufacturer that touts the extreme leave of details and accuracy in their models actually designs a brand new knuckle coupler which is nowhere near being accurate (or even close to scale).  I don't get it!  If they had a budget for R&D of their own new N scale coupler, why haven't they made one which was as small as possible and still compatible with other brand couplers.  For example, the MTL Z scale coupler is much smaller than other fully functional couplers, yet can still couple to other N scale couplers. Why didn't Scale Trains didn't make their coupler closer to the MTL Z scale coupler?  If they wanted to make it look more realistic then they shoudl have taken the same route as the Goemon Coupler. It has a look of the AAR coupler, but functionally it is an MTL coupler. 

[Mark5]

For those unaware of Goemon:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=41566.0

[Englewood]

I don't have that much of a problem with the ST couplers. They're not as easy to couple up as the MT, but I don't intend to replace them. They stay coupled together, which is my main concern.

[jpwisc]

@GaryHinshaw funny you should mention the 1025s. I ran out of 1015s after 10 hoppers, so I put 1025s on the last 2. I had to trim off the retainer pins as they are on the opposite side as the 1015. They sit slightly more inboard than the 1015 and I do t have to see a shiny spring. After I get the cars weathered (all the trucks and wheels are off for painting), I’ll see how the 1025s operate compared to the 1015s. Maybe I’ll try some of the Goemons out.

[Bob]

Well, outside of the couplers they sure are nice cars!  I got 4 of them and they look and track great - I really like them.  Perhaps all of these comments will cause ST to think about either a new coupler, or at least to make it easier to do a conversion.