These two new 4-6-0 locos have a fake front coupler. At first glance, it looks like a knuckle coupler, but it doesn’t open, and it doesn’t mount like a real Bachman knuckle coupler. Anyone have any experience in replacing these with a real, working coupler. What does it take?

Daniel Collins said:

These two new 4-6-0 locos have a fake front coupler. At first glance, it looks like a knuckle coupler, but it doesn’t open, and it doesn’t mount like a real Bachman knuckle coupler. Anyone have any experience in replacing these with a real, working coupler. What does it take?

A lot depends on the type coupler you want to install. It will take a bit of butchery and innovation, but it can be done.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,23753.0.html

Kadee do working replacement couplers for the Annie/Big Hauler see here https://kadee.com/htmbord/page791-1791.htm and here https://kadee.com/conv/b460bh.htm That’s how I did mine, very simple and effective. These two coupler conversions work at the same height as Spectrum and AMS stock not the Big Hauler stock height.

I tend to recommend a knuckle coupler without draft gear, since often it’s another loco you are coupled to.

I get enough coupler swing from the tender ahead to be able to have a fixed coupler mount, and the slender shank of the coupler and not putting a big draft gear box usually looks better and takes less surgery.