MT conversions

[untabubba]

I'm looking for some practical experience to help me begin my quest to convert many of my favorite cars from Rapido to MTs. I'm thinking it might be easier and better to just "swap out" the whole truck, rather than engage in hand-to-hand combat with those darn little springs! To that end I went looking and found there are quite a few types of trucks. How do I know which to use? Is there a prototypical protocol, or is it a matter of "taste"? Will they all fit? Also, I went, numbers in hand, to a very good LHS. I didn't tell the guy I had the numbers. I wanted to see what he would give me. Sure enough, he gave me a different number! I divulged the number I got from the MT website. He said they'd both work. I took the ones HE suggested and it was a breeze! No alterations required at all. So, what's up with THAT?? I'd appreciate any suggestions, stories or help anyone can give. Marc

[ginzokid]

Blane, Seeing your picture confirms my diagnosis that you need the MT 1152 conversion package. It will include the coupler and a pilot to fill that ugly open space in front. The pilot will glue to the plastic shell and the coupler will be screwed to the new pilot. If your smallest radius is less than 12", use the 1025 coupler that comes with the conversion. If your smallest radius is over 12", use the 1027 coupler that is also in the set. Just be sure that your engine is an Atlas made by KATO. It will say Japan (maybe even KATO) on the underside of the power trucks. These were made before 1999. I can't quite see what is says in the picture, but there is some wording there. B-)

[untabubba]

Blane, YIKES! That's Ed Zachary what I'm afraid of doing to my locos. That baby is fairly well mutilated! Better take Dr. Pete's advice and try the full pilot installation! Pete, I blew up the photo, but still can't clearly read it. I lose too much resolution by the time it's big enough. I think it says "JAPAN" and I think the other is a set of numbers. Also, I'm starting to get really aggravated with somebody! I want to "blame" N Scale Supply, but they can't mail me items that MTL won't send them.....who's the "weakest link"? I'm waiting on MTL 1135s, 1134s and 1133s. These are for LL GP-38 & F40PH, Bmann GP-40 & U-36-B, and Dash 8-40CW respectively. I've examined the locos carefully and it doesn't look like a big deal......... If I ever they the b*st*rds! Marc

[untabubba]

If I ever GET...... (It's early guys and spell check doesn't "do" grammar!)

[ginzokid]

Marc and Blane, The person who cut off the original rapido coupler housing did a not too neat job, but it should have no effect on the conversion. Blane you could clean the nubs off with a file or flush cutting sprue cutters if you want to. The lettering definitely says Japan which means this is actually a KATO engine. Very good for you Blane. Now get to that conversion. Marc, N scale supply is the culprit. MT has a very large stock at all times. The problem is that each store has a minimum dollar order to meet and my guess is that N Scale Supply doesn't have a big enough order at this time for them to receive shipment. I know. I used to go through it with them at the Hobby Bench. I don't know how big N Scale Supply is, but the smaller stores are usually on a COD basis too. I would try another supplier like 4N Scale or Internet Trains or Internet Hobbies. These guys always seem to have what I want on hand. Blane, if you are afraid, you know where my Backshop is. B-)

[untabubba]

Pete, I guess I'll write N Scale Supply and ask them point-blank, if I'm gonna get my stuff anytime soon....or can I cancel the order?! Marc

[untabubba]

Well, I have serious questions about N Scale Supply! How do you have a "hobby shop" that's only open on Friday and Saturday, and then don't answer the phone too?!? Sounds like a very small operation that takes orders and then TRIES to buy said items themselves to "resell" to the orderer (me, for example). So, I wrote an e-mail asking about my order and got a very terse reply: "I'm sorry we are not filling your order fast enough for you. I have cancelled the order, you have not been charged anything. n scale supply" Now that's the way to do bidniz baby! I guess my questioning of them made them feel "cornered" so they dumped my order. As we Collinses say fug'em! I mean, my wife runs a "one woman show" out of our house, but she is very efficient. She too has a very elaborate web-site. She too sometimes can't fill orders, but she's never so curt and abrupt with people! Oh well, off to the party. I'll find another vendor tomorrow. MArc

[ginzokid]

Marc, Re-read my post #109. I told you why you weren't getting your order and also where to look for the items you need. B-)

[untabubba]

Pete, It was just the abruptness with which the guy blew me off that got to me. I mean, it has been nearly a month and he doesn't even offer a (serious) explanation or an apology! You know why there was a problem because you worked in the business. Without you to explain things, I would have just assumed he was being a "bad businessman"! I'll rewrite my shopping list and check out the sites you mentioned. How about Brooklyn Lococmotive Works? Do you like them? Marc

[ginzokid]

They are a good source of cars etc. Shop prices though with the other sites I mentioned. B-)

[untabubba]

I think I may have judged N Scale Supply too harshly. (Who MEE??) I can't seem to scare up the MT #s 1135, 1134 or 1133 anywhere...except MTL themselves, full price of course. If you're so motivated see if you know a site that might have them. Marc (A man without a coupler is lost!)

[ginzokid]

Son...You're on your own!

[untabubba]

Pete, I guess I have to suck it up and pay "full freight" to MTL. I guess not many people are converting Bachmann locos, or some thing. N Scale Supply is about the only place that even advertised them and apparently they weren't able to get them at that! Then again, these are truck replacements and not the full pilot body mount types........ I'll call my two best LHSes before I order from MTL. They both claim to carry a good supply of MTL stuff. I couldn't today because neither is open on Sunday. Marc (The coupler-less)

[hba7485]

MEEE Afraiddd? You forget too quickly just how long the Berk maintained that particular problem before I utilized your resource Pete. The question is and still remains which particular glue or epoxy to use on the kadee coupler for attachment. BB

[ginzokid]

Use Ambroid Pro Weld or Tennax Z7 or any other high quality liquid styrene cement you can get. If you must use the Testors Liquid cement in the black plactic container with the long metal applicator, do so, but do not use Testors liquid in the bottle. It is not strong enough. Ambroid or Tennax are the best for styrene. And we are just talking about the pilot placement. The coupler is not glued in. It is screwed in place per the 1152 conversion. B-)

[ginzokid]

Marc, Checking with my favorite on line sources, the only place that has all the couplers you need is www.walthers.com. The numbers have changed too. Checking my guide, you need 1129, 1130, 1131, 1133 and 1134 for the engines you cites. These are now numbered in the same order as 489-130013,489-130014, 489-133020, 489-133030 and 489-133031. These are all inserts into the existing truck mounted rapido coupler. Some of them are a real pain and others are easy. Have fun! B-)