I finally decided to start standardizing my coupler heights on all my 1:20.3 rolling stock. I bought the Kadee height gauge and started checking things. All my Bachmann Spectrum stuff is very consistent and the correct height. However my Accucraft inventory ranges from okay to 1/8" too high. Gotta figure out how to shim it without screwing up the looks. The box cars are the worst. I’m installing Kadee couplers. The conversion is a snap but the shimming will be a challenge. Helpful hints are appreciated!
Same here except I converted everything to the Accucraft coupler. I’ve not corrected them but some combinations of AMS cars are way off. I’m interested to see what your solution is.
When doing this on body mount couplers, also consider raising or lowering the entire car, by shimming or modifications at the bolster.
It’s another alternative.
Greg
The kadee coupler height gauge is not set for 1:20.3 scale. Like you noticed, it’s about an 1/8 inch off.
Terry
Terry Burr said:
The kadee coupler height gauge is not set for 1:20.3 scale. Like you noticed, it’s about an 1/8 inch off.
Probably easier to shim the Kadee gauge, or get Kadee to make a correct one.
Terry Burr said:
The kadee coupler height gauge is not set for 1:20.3 scale. Like you noticed, it’s about an 1/8 inch off. Terry
Good point. I have modified my Kadee gauge for 1:20. I mounted an Accucraft coupler on it and set the coupler centerline to 24" .
One needs to decide if you want 24" or 26" off railhead. as the Accucraft cars are all based around D&RGW Prototypes they are at a base of 26" off railhead. one exception was the high side gondolas which were quite low if I remember correctly. note also that their locomotives also need some adjustment @ times. Throw all those Accucraft couplers in a box and send them to me. I will pay the shipping.
Al P.
I made my own gauge set at the average height of the AMS cars I had at the time. I’ll have to measure the centerline and see where it is.
My high side gon is ever more odd then most as I changed out the Accucraft wheels for Aristo. I did this before I learned that they had fixed the wheel issue which had everyone complaining - it was my first AMS car and I never gave the AMS wheels a chance. Never changed any since.
Ha - the high side gon describes more than the car. The coupler on that one is way off.
I did some more testing tonight. Centerline on my kadee height gauge is 1.125" as they represent. My AMS short caboose and flat cars line up perfectly. However the gondolas (hi and low) and the box cars and refers are about .125" high. Although my Bachmann Spectrum tankers and box cars line up fine, the recommended coupler replacement #916 does not fit. The shank on the back of the coupler is shorter than the Bachmann shank. Not sure what I’ll do.