Body mounted coupler issues

VinceP Apr 3, 2020

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  1. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

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    @cjm413

    Thanks but still going to use the tru scale couplers if I can will find out later.

    As this is pretty much my last attempt at N scale.

    A lot of this is because I Super detailed when I was on the dark side and working with the real deal in the 90's is stuck in my head of knowing when something doesn't look right.

    Hence just one of the noticeable items I pick up on immediately is the couplers.

    Hooked to a lot of them when we cleaned up after the big boys broke their toys (derailments)
     
  2. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    There is another forum where the posters there are heavily into metal wheels, body mounted couplers, ride height and scale couplers. They do not seem to suffer the same problem as you. How you differ from them is you are trying to use a stock Atlas truck whereas they are using MT trucks. There is a difference. Seem my prior post on this in post #48 on page 3. Now, to try to tie this altogether with what Norseman Jack was trying to say is that these scale couplers are smaller than the regular MT coupler and others (Atlas/Accumate, McHenry, Bachmann) like it. These couplers are, admittedly, all oversized. There is a good reason for this and it doesn't involve any limitation inherent in the manufacturing process. It has to do with tolerances being less forgiving as scale ratio increases. So tolerances in N scale are much less forgiving that HO or S or O. To overcome this, certain parts, like couplers, are made oversized. That way rather minimal changes in rail height will not cause one coupler to displace vertically causing an unwanted uncoupling. Going to a scale coupler like you want to do means your track better be perfect, like Norseman Jack says, to keep vertical displacement to an absolute minimum. I previously went the same route you want to do with the scale couplers and experienced the unwanted uncouplings on track and switches that trains with regular couplers had zero problems. The choice is obviously yours. Model RR Rule #1 is always applicable.
     
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  3. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    ^ That is some sage and wise advice from someone who has done it before. Follow or not, the choice is yours.
     
  4. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Does this end? Rattle, rattle, bang, pop, if only we could get this grate over the hill and home.

    LOL
     
  5. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

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    Sounds like an alco
     
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  6. cjm413

    cjm413 TrainBoard Member

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    Swapping the stock Atlas 100T trucks with new MTL 100T trucks will accomplish nothing.

    The True Scale Coupler boxes are just too damn big for freight cars....

    Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk
     
  7. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Agree to disagree
     
  8. ns737

    ns737 TrainBoard Supporter

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    he could make his own coupler boxes with ever green c channel?
     
  9. cjm413

    cjm413 TrainBoard Member

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    Re: swapping trucks or the size of the coupler boxes?

    Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk
     
  10. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Truck swapping can make huge differences with how it reacts with the coupler
     
  11. cjm413

    cjm413 TrainBoard Member

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    It can make a difference if the truck is designed differently, e.g. centered kingpin hole vs offset kingpin hole.

    In this case, MTL's 100T truck has the same centered kingpin hole as the Atlas 100T truck. Screenshot_2020-04-12-19-55-41-1.jpg

    Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk
     
  12. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    Okay I spent some time doing research and here is what I came up with. The Tru Scale coupler was previewed here on Trainboard back on Sept 1, 2016. Here is the reference:

    https://www.trainboard.com/highball...w-of-mtl-new-true-scale-coupler-system.97901/

    The couplers been on the market since about October, 2016. In the above thread, on page 6, post 111, there is a picture of the couplers mounted on two boxcars. The coupler box is above the first axle. There is no comment as to any problems. The only reference to any problems similar to the one the OP poste in this thread that I can find was in the Nscale net forum.

    https://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?47496-My-rolling-stock-builds

    It was posted by someone with the moniker of Caribou and posted on April 3, 2020 (the thread actually dated back to Dec. 31, 2019 but the first report of a problem was on April 3, 2020). Oddly that was the same date that this thread was created. Both posts involve an Atlas 3560 three bay hopper. The photos appear to be the same as in this thread but the poster's names are different. Uncanny, I should think but here is the kicker, I can not find any other reference to anyone having problems with this coupler similar to that the OP posted anywhere on the internet in the 3 1/2 years these have been on the market. There are several you tube videos featuring this coupler. None mention any problem of the kind experienced by the OP. I have to conclude that the problem lies not in the coupler or else there would have been a big squawk about it before now. So I am wondering if the problem might lie with the truck or car used. The OP stated he used the original truck after cutting off the coupler. If so that would have been the Atlas truck with the Accumate coupler. There are no reported problems of this kind by anyone using Atlas Trucks. Maybe this is a problem unique to the Atlas 3560 three bay hopper. Maybe there is some other cause. My suggestion at this point is for the OP to contact MicroTrains and explain his problem to them because it is unique to be sure. Contact information is on their website.
     
  13. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

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    That's me on the other site so yes same pictures.

    And I have tried different trucks blma/atlas, and other name brand trucks and wheels with no luck on this 3560 hopper.

    The reason I haven't posted anymore on this is I can't get it to work no matter what I do.

    So taking a break from all trains.
     
  14. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

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    It's the axle on the truck that's hitting the coupler box not the mods I did when I removed the coupler.

    I tried just about everything and have pretty much given up on N scale.
     
  15. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    Three and a half years this product has been in the market and you are the first to have this issue. Maybe it is not the coupler. I ask that you check to make sure what truck is on this car. Considering the fact that there have been no similar complaints in 3 1/2 years I think that is a reasonable request.
     
  16. tonkphilip

    tonkphilip TrainBoard Member

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    Vince, I have several MicroTrains Converter Gondolas that have a True Scale Body Mount on one end and a regular MT truck mount on the other end. The Microtrains axle is above the True Scale coupler box but just misses the screw that secures the True Scale Body Mount coupler. This is a 40 ft Gondola, so the coupler mounting may different on your hopper. I will try and load a picture. There is more than adequate space between the floor and the MT axle for the coupler box. It is a close fit if you want to have the MT axle over the screw, I would suggest filing down the screw for additional MT axle clearance, and/or glueing the coupler box. - Tonkphilip
     
  17. tonkphilip

    tonkphilip TrainBoard Member

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    Vince, Here is a picture of the True Scale coupler mounting on the MT 40 ft Gondola. There is adequate space between coupler box and axle and between axle and TS coupler mounting screw. - Tonkphilip MT True Scale Body Mount on MT cvrtr Gon.jpg
     
  18. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

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    I know what is going on and I can't fix it.

    The covered hopper has a solid floor under the end cages not like boxcar and gondolas that have a recessed floor.

    This causes an issue that is way more work than I want to do so will be getting ready to dispose of my n scale.

    With all the stuff I have tried and money spent and adding it all up spending approximately $86 is not my idea of fun.

    Being on a very limited budget this car and coupler issue is taking me out of n scale.

    So this is my last post on the subject.
     
  19. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sorry to hear that Vince P. You can try HO scale and the problems it will present.

    Have a good weekend.
     
  20. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    Yeah, I thought you and caribou were one and the same. What I am I am wondering is why in 3 1/2 years this 'problem' has not arisen before. If it had arose I am certain that the internet forums would be extremely active. But you are the only one having the problem. I can only conclude that the problem is either the car or the truck. On the Nscalenet forum you stated that you purchased a set of BLMA trucks to use. BLMA trucks were designed to lower the 'ride height' of the car. By lowering the car on the trucks the space between the truck axle and the coupler box is decreased. Now this is, admittedly, conjecture on my part but based on the evidence on hand this is my conclusion. If you disagree then my suggestion that you contact the MicroTrains people. Their contact information is on their website.
     
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