Wanting to change the couplers

[Howard1975]

Hello I'm wanting to change the couplers on two particular N scale locomotives. One is an Arnold Rapido (Arnold 0225 S) 0-6-0 saddle tank switcher locomotive (number #225 on the side), and is equipped with body mounted Micro-Trains couplers by a previous owner. And the other is a Minitrix (Minitrix 2003) Fairbanks Morse FM H-10-44 diesel switcher locomotive (number #8303 on the side), which is equipped with truck mounted Micro-Trains couplers by a previous owner.

I bought both locomotives used, and would like to convert both to standard Rapido couplers. I don't have the original rapido couplers that these locomotives would have come with.  They were both converted to Kadee / Micro-Trains couplers by a previous owner.  Could I use a standard regular T shank rapido couplers, or do they need special rapido couplers to fit? I do have some spare rapido couplers from some 1970's or 1980's vintage Atlas freight cars. Would they normally fit? I'm asking before I take apart these tiny parts and discover, my two locomotives need a special rapido coupler.  I'm also assuming they will need the spring behind the rapido coupler to function properly.

I ask this question because I would like to convert them both back to original condition.   And the vast majority of my freight cars are equipped with rapido couplers anyway.

And before anyone asks me why would I want to do this, well my answer is this; it's a hobby, and it's my model trains. I would like to use them as they originally came from the factory, with rapido couplers.  Yes I know I can keep them the way they are, with the Micro-Trains couplers installed.  I'm just basically asking is it possible to replace the Kadee / Micro-Trains conversion couplers, with a standard rapido coupler I have in my parts box.

[Maletrain]

How easy it is to convert back to Rapido couplers will depend on how the conversion from Rapido to MicroTrains was done by the previous owner.

Rapido couplers typically have a "T" on their shank, inside the coupler box.  There is a type of MicroTrains coupler that also has a T shank, that is designed specifically to be easily substituted for the stock Rapido couplers without changing the box.  But, they have a bad trait of not staying level and therefore  uncoupling unintentionally.  So, some people replace the whole Rapido box with a MicroTrains box when they convert, which would make it harder to convert back.

So, tell us what the MicroTrains coupler looks like inside the box.  If it is an original Rapido box, you should be able to see the T shank if there is one. 

I see you have been a member here since 2023, but have only10 posts, so you may not be able to post pictures here, yet.  Pictures would help us see what is needed.

[Mark5]

For the Minitrix FM you might be in luck if the couplers are still truck mounted.

The old school "easy" way to convert to Kadee/Microtrains couplers is with the #1128 coupler, which is also a T-shank: https://micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=352

 If that's what the previous owner used, then it would be relative easy to swap back in a legacy (Rapido style) coupler.

[peteski]

First of all there is nothing wrong with using rapido couplers. Most of the N scale models outside of USA still use them as a de-facto coupler.  All my European models still have them.

Looking at the FM page https://spookshow.net/loco/h1244.html it looks like that model uses standard T-shank couplers and a spring.  Hopefully the MTL conversion was done the way Mark5 mentioned. That could be easily undone.



The 0-6-0 https://spookshow.net/loco/arnold060.html appears to have frame-mounted couplers and depending on how the conversion was done, reverting to rapidos migth be easy or not. If a conversion similar to 1128 was used, reverting should be easy.

[Maletrain]

Based on the Spookeshow site pictures, both of the OEM Rapido coupler boxes look like the "twist-in" type, without separate covers that need to be removed first.  It would help if Howard1975 could post a picture of what he actually has on each of his locos, now.  Maybe he could e-mail one of us with the pictures and we could post them for him?

[Howard1975]

Thank you for all of the replies to my question.  I have taken some pictures, and I have tried to post pictures here, but I'm not allowed. And I have tried to email someone the pictures, but I'm not allowed. 

The Arnold Rapido 0-6-0 looks to have it's regular bottom plate holding the couplers in place. While the Minitrix diesel has the little metal cover thing to hold on the couplers, which you find on stock Minitrix diesel locomotives. Both locomotives look completely stock on the bottom, other then the couplers.

[peteski]

Thank you for all of the replies to my question.  I have taken some pictures, and I have tried to post pictures here, but I'm not allowed. And I have tried to email someone the pictures, but I'm not allowed. 

The Arnold Rapido 0-6-0 looks to have it's regular bottom plate holding the couplers in place. While the Minitrix diesel has the little metal cover thing to hold on the couplers, which you find on stock Minitrix diesel locomotives. Both locomotives look completely stock on the bottom, other then the couplers.

Howard, you need 25 posts to be allowed to post photos to the forum.  For more info see https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=43673.0

Sounds like you should be able to remove the bottom plate on the 0-6-0 and see what is in there.  You will probably find one of the drop-in MTL conversion couples which can be just pulled out and replaced with a T-shank rapido coupler and its centering spring.  Minitrix is probably similar.

[Albert in N]

   Careful with that metal plate holding the coupler!  The little bendable tabs break off if bent, straightened, and bent again.  We know that they were bent once when the coupler conversion was made.  You might consider a conversion freight car.  In the early 1970s, usually the conversion car came out when I couldn't afford to convert everything to Micro Trains Line couplers (used to be Kadee N).  Anyway for kicks, here is my one remaining MiniTrix FM (has dummy knuckles), conversion car (old Atlas Austria Blatz beer), along with a prototype photo I took in Amarillo in the early 1970s. 

[Maletrain]

Here are the pictures Howard need help to post here:  (If Howard1975 can provide titles and descriptions, I will edit them into this post.)

[peteski]

Those T-shank MTL conversions will simply pull out of the coupler pocket and the old-style T-shank rapido couplers and springs can be reinstalled. Easy-Peasy.  Well I can't be sure on the 0-6-0 (because the coupler pocket is fully enclosed, but I assume the original owner used a conversion similar to the one used on the FM diesel.

I think to remove the bottom plate on the 0-6-0 you have to remove the screw, then slide the cover either forward or backward t release  its other end. Make sure that the drivers stay in the frame or you will have hard time aligning them.

[Howard1975]

Here are the pictures Howard need help to post here:  (If Howard1975 can provide titles and descriptions, I will edit them into this post.)

Thank you Sir for posting the pictures that I emailed you, I really appreciate it very much.  I don't think any title or description is necessary for each individual picture.  It's already known from this thread that those are my Arnold Rapido and Minitrix locomotives, that I want to convert back to the original rapido couplers.  I have been busy with other projects, but when I get time, I will open them both up and look to see what exactly the previous owner did. That will give me a better idea of what I need to do to reverse the conversion.

I have some extra rapido couplers, but I don't have any spare springs.  I already have about 10 or more powered locomotives equipped with rapido couplers. So it's not a big deal at this time, those two locomotives can stay as they are with the Micro-Trains couplers for the time being. I'm not in any rush to convert them back to Rapido couplers.

I have 62 pieces of rolling stock (freight and passenger cars) with Rapido couplers, and 28 pieces of rolling stock (freight cars) with knuckle couplers (both Micro-Trains and Accumate). It's super easy to make a conversion adapter car, with both Rapido and Micro-Trains couplers, one on each end.   

I don't even have a layout right now, I'm still in the planning stages before I build my layout. I'm presently just running my N scale trains with my Kato Unitrack on the floor of my apartment.

[Howard1975]

Some of my pictures are not the most clear, I tried my best to take clear pictures with my smartphone. But hopefully everyone can see how the couplers are mounted.

[Howard1975]

  Careful with that metal plate holding the coupler!  The little bendable tabs break off if bent, straightened, and bent again.  We know that they were bent once when the coupler conversion was made.  You might consider a conversion freight car.  In the early 1970s, usually the conversion car came out when I couldn't afford to convert everything to Micro Trains Line couplers (used to be Kadee N).  Anyway for kicks, here is my one remaining MiniTrix FM (has dummy knuckles), conversion car (old Atlas Austria Blatz beer), along with a prototype photo I took in Amarillo in the early 1970s. 

Thank you for the advice, I will be careful when removing the metal covers holding the couplers. I don't want to break anything, or lose any parts. And I agree with your suggestion, to have a conversion car with Micro-Trains coupler on one end, and Rapido coupler on the other end. 

I like your pictures of your Minitrix FM with the dummy knuckles, and your conversion car (an old Atlas Austria Blatz beer), along with a prototype photo you took in Amarillo.

[Howard1975]

Howard, you need 25 posts to be allowed to post photos to the forum.  For more info see https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=43673.0

Sounds like you should be able to remove the bottom plate on the 0-6-0 and see what is in there.  You will probably find one of the drop-in MTL conversion couples which can be just pulled out and replaced with a T-shank rapido coupler and its centering spring.  Minitrix is probably similar.

Thank you for the information about needing 25 posts before I'm allowed to post photos to the forum.  I'm getting there, soon I will have the needed 25 posts, so I can participate more fully, and post pictures.  I belong to a lot of different model railroading forums. On a few of them I only have a few posts.  And at another site, I have over 200 posts in total.   I just need to be more active here.

Yes that's true, I will be removing the bottom plate on the 0-6-0 and see what is in there. I will need to be more careful with the Minitrix diesel, it has those tiny metal covers that snap on.   

[Albert in N]

Referring to the MiniTrix FM switcher metal coupler cover plate, the problem is that the top tabs fold over the top of the coupler (not in the photos).  When these are straightened to remove the coupler, as well as bent back to cover the coupler, they often break off.  At lease that is my experience with an earlier FM I converted.  I respect your decision to go retro on couplers.  I have several older N locomotives with factory Arnold Rapido couplers.  I simply use my old conversion beer car to pull the MTL coupler train.  I love an older Arnold Rapido FP-9 undecorated gray plastic.  I look forward to painting it and adding decals for a favorite regional road (Katy or MKT).  It will still retain the factory Rapid couplers for nostalgia.