Large Scale Central

Coupler question

General Discussion
#1

Im in the process of changing around of few of my Backmann rolling stock (box car, logging caboose and flatbed) I am going to start weathering the rolling stock. Im going to add some planks to the flatbed and change some of the plastic parts with metal like handrails and steps. I plan on doing this with heavy wire like it did with my back woods stock.

I have the bachmann couplers on, they seem to work fine so I want to use them. I hear it is more prototypical to mount them on to the body rather then the trucks, like they currently are. Would I be able to use the couplers as a body mount? I also want to change my backwoods rolling stock hook and loops to the link and pins. Rather then buy them does anyone have any good ways to make my own. They seem fairly simple.

Also when weathering with powder what color is best, white?

#2

Shawn,
in the past I have body-mounted Bachmann couplers to enable more closely spaced rolling stock. However, experiment firstly, as you will require reasonably large radius curves to enable the couplers to function correctly without inducing derailments. I use ten-foot diameter curves and was happy with the results.

#3

Shawn,

If you used Kadee 831 couplers on your truck mounts then you can couple them to body mounts (such as 830) and use the two together if you wish as long as the body mount heights are reasonably correct. Of course the limiting factor for pushing cars will be the truck mounts. I have pushed up to 14 cars through the reverse curve of a crossover without problem. My cars all have metal wheels. If you need to push more than 14 cars or so (will vary a mite depending on track condition, etc.) then you really need to go with body mount exclusively and fairly wide curves. Body mounts do look the best. Pulling the cars with truck mounts hasn’t been a problem.

I cut back the coupler tangs on the trucks. This makes the cars couple closer together and prevents excessive drooping which can cause problems with coupler heights.

I weather with spray cans so I can’t help you with the powder weathering.

#4

Shawn,
Dirt, coal dust and rust are great weathering colors.