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]

Chuck, I still say the best solution for your lighted cars is the twist out the old Rapido and twist in the new Red Caboose couplers trick. B-)

[flaretired]

In post 140 I tried that and the whole coupler assembly came apart on me. What are Red Caboose couplers? Chuck 🙂

[ginzokid]

Chuck, Here is a picture for you. The upper left is a Bachmann truck with the metal clip and an installed Red Caboose coupler. The upper right is the Bachmann truck with the metal clip and the Rapido coupler. The bottom left is a Red Caboose coupler. You can see how it will mate with a Micro-Trains coupler, which is shown on the bottom right. To install the Red Caboose coupler, you pry up the metal legs of the clip and push the clip part way up. Do not take it out. Just go about half way and then twist out the Rapido coupler. The spring should stay in place by itself. You then twist the Red Caboose coupler back into the same space, push down the clip and fold over the legs again. Con-Cor and Rivarossi couplers are replaced this same way. 6 wheel trucks are also replaced the same way. Other couplers that have a plastic clip can be replaced this same way. The trucks that do not have clips but just wide "lips" to hold the coupler in place are the easiest to replace this same way. The fact you say you have three pieces to hold together confuses me. Specifically what brand of passenger cars do you have? B-)

[untabubba]

Nice work, Pete. You beat me to the picture idea! I think Chuck is talking about the the clip, the spring and the coupler....3 pieces. I might be wrong however.....Chuck? BTW: I have some Red Caboose couplers, and as it's raining like crazy, maybe I'll try it mice-elf later today. I'll let you know. Marc

[untabubba]

Another thing....remember when you are working on couplers, and the car is upside-down, to put the coupler on the RIGHT WAY!! I've installed a few couplers only to find I had them facing the wrong way! "Wrong Way" Marc

[flaretired]

Marc is right, on the three pieces. I have 6 Bachman and 4 Atlas lighted cars. The Atlas are six wheel trucks. None of them have the metal clip. All plastic. Remember I asked if there was a speical tool or trick to put the coupler back together? Thank you for the photo I can see it without disableing my Norton antivrus program. Chuck 🙂

[ginzokid]

OK Chuck, Just use a small flat head screw driver to pry up the plastic clips part way. Hold your finger in front of the area where the spring wants to come out and twist out the Rapido, then twist in the Red Caboose. If there is no clip at all, just twist out and twist in. All the rest of the instructions are the same. Micro-Trains couplers can not be done this way on your cars. I would go to the cut off Rapido and body mounted Micro-Trains if you want automatic uncoupling. Otherwise, the Red Caboose couplers work just fine for a semi-permanently coupled passenger train. By the way, they come in both black and rust/red color and three different shank lengths. You can find them at Walthers. And yes, Marc is correct. After all these years I still double check the proper orientation before I actually insert the new coupler. Suggestion. If working upside down, just put a reference car upside down on your work bench. A quick glance will get you the right way to put in the new coupler. B-)

[untabubba]

Reference car!!!! Pete's got a name for everything! I know to do that....now, after a few boo-boos! MArc

[flaretired]

Do you mean cut the coupler off the truck and than do the body mount? Chuck)

[flaretired]

Took me 5 times to get the last post posted. Chuck X-(

[untabubba]

That's what he means, Chuck!!!! Ready for THAT?!?!? Me neither.....not quite yet! Marc (The Coward) BTW: I had a problem earlier today wherein, when I went to post a reply, it kicked me to the sign-in page and then wouldn't "acknowledge" that I typed in my password!

[ginzokid]

The ebay gremlins must be at work again! Don't you just love technology? Yes, Chuck, When all else fails, cut the rapido coupler and it's housing off the truck frame and body mount a Micro-Trains couplers assembly. B-)

[flaretired]

Thank you, all I have to do is find MT couplers for body mount. Any site sugestions? Belive me I have been looking. Chuck 🙂

[flaretired]

I found the body mount couplers. But there are so many different kinds I do not no which ones to get. Any suggestions? There are assembled and kits. Not cheap either. Chuck 🙂

[ginzokid]

Chuck, I suggest MT 1023 assembled body mount couplers. Get a supply of 00-90 aluminum screws to mount them and a drill and tap kit for this size screw. Here are the numbers: Body mount couplers,00102009. Tap & drill set, 98800121. 00-90 screws, 00112020. You might also get a coupler height gage, 98800031. Armed with these numbers check out on line, Walthers.com, internethobbies.com, internettrains.com, 4nscale,com, caboosehobbies.com or your favorite ebay store or LHS. The picture you posted is a bit too dark to see the actual problem, but by cutting off the plastic coupler mounts, you should be able to install the new MT. This would be the easiest way to convert and maintain the necessary electrical pick-up. B-)