Changing over to Kadee couplers

This is a follow on from my post regarding Dapol's version of an NEM 362  coupler pocket. The pictures tell the story.This is a 10 minute job  and requires no special tools - I used Xuron cutters, the big  box-cutter, a small coarse file and some #400 grit paper. The new couplers were Kadee  #5, which screw into the bottom of the chassis, no spacers are required. Plus the Kadee coupler  height gauge.

The wagon as supplied. The tension lock couplers are fragile - this one has already lost the hook (on the left). Kadee NEM 362 #17 on the right. The design means that the NEM 362 coupler pocket is very visible with tension hooks or Kadee NEM 362 couplers.




The underside. Large NEM 362 pockets at either end, underset Kadee #17, ginormous screw holding the chassis to the body in the middle.




Dapol's way of having an NEM 362 coupler pocket. All I can say is - oh dear. Shades of the old Peco wagon couplers.




Chassis and couplers disassembled. One buffer is already lost (?). They will be replaced with sprung ones.




Chassis after removal of the couplers. That big screw really chews up the chassis floor. I'll be using silicone sealant to attach the chassis to the body, and filling the hole.




Kadee #5 and coupler box attached with 2 screws A small V piece needs to be removed from the bottom of the hook to allow the coupler box lip to locate properly.




Side view of new coupler. Altogether a lot neater than the Dapol NEM 362 pocket and underset Kadee #17. And getting rid of the magnetic pin if using fixed rakes and magnetic coupling is not required will make it even neater.




Close-up of above. Those screw heads can be filed down by 50% if desired, or a central screw used. The appearance would be even neater with fine-scale whisker couplers.




The new coupler has the required height, no need for spacers or material removal from the chassis floor.




That's it, quick project and nothing difficult. Only a few more wagons to go. Pleasant evenings work.

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Nice one, Nigel.  :thumbs

I've used pan head screws in the centre hole.  They hide better, but sometimes the lip on the front isn't enough to stop the draft box from turning.  Fortunately the O scale couplers have another hole at the back.  I've drilled the chassis and put a styrene pin in there.

The wagon has come up trumps.  :cool:

Agree with your approach Nigel.  I've gone off the NEM type Kadees since I think they are too clunky.  If you are going to use magnets for uncoupling, you'll need the dooby dob.  IMO it looks completely wrong for any wagon but is really OTT for unfitted stock - I cut them off.  Then again I'm with the pointed stick from heaven gang.  The #5 or, I think, #58/158 are a better choice and, as you've shown, are not hard to fit. 

I've found that the plastic on the wagon is suitable for liquid/gel glues (like Testors).

In my workbench thread you will probably find lots of examples of me fitting the finer Kadees (#158 I think, or is it 156?) to various RTR  and kit wagons.

John

[user=269]MaxSouthOz[/user] wrote:

Nice one, Nigel.  :thumbs

I've used pan head screws in the centre hole.  They hide better, but sometimes the lip on the front isn't enough to stop the draft box from turning.  Fortunately the O scale couplers have another hole at the back.  I've drilled the chassis and put a styrene pin in there.

The wagon has come up trumps.  :cool:

Hi Max,

Thanks. It's a simple fix for an inadequate as supplied coupling system.

Nigel
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[user=565]Brossard[/user] wrote:

Agree with your approach Nigel.  I've gone off the NEM type Kadees since I think they are too clunky.  If you are going to use magnets for uncoupling, you'll need the dooby dob.  IMO it looks completely wrong for any wagon but is really OTT for unfitted stock - I cut them off.  Then again I'm with the pointed stick from heaven gang.  The #5 or, I think, #58/158 are a better choice and, as you've shown, are not hard to fit. 

I've found that the plastic on the wagon is suitable for liquid/gel glues (like Testors).

In my workbench thread you will probably find lots of examples of me fitting the finer Kadees (#158 I think, or is it 156?) to various RTR  and kit wagons.

John

Hi John,

Yes, they look better with the magnet pin cut-off. I'm with you on Kadee NEM 362 couplers, over-scale and plastic. I'm going through my stock getting rid of them as fast as I can and replacing with the fine-scale regular whisker ones (153, 156, 158). One of those "it seemed like a good idea at the time" things.

It's amazing how these situations arise. NEM 362 coupler pockets need to be low to accommodate tension hook uncoupling (and not just in the UK, Kadee had their eyes on the European market when they introduced them), as a consequence Kadee 362 couplers need to be underset (and thus clunky looking). Get rid of whatever is there, replace with a regular gear box and a center-set fine-scale coupler and it's a significant visual improvement for minimal financial outlay and just a few minutes work.

Nigel

 



  

I'm impressed that great minds think alike.  Reassuring to know that I'm not alone in my thinking.

John

Looks good Nigel. :thumbs

I have several Dapol wagons to do but admit to have stopped buying them some time ago because of the butchery required to get rid of their truly dreadful T/L's ……………..now I might have another look at them. :roll:

Well Peter, I'd be careful buying Dapol wagons in general (Hornby too).  You may recall my rant some while ago about inaccuracies.  A legacy of old tooling I suppose.

John