Need Micro-Trains Coupler Advice For Older Kato SD45

Martin Station Sep 29, 2020

  1. Martin Station

    Martin Station TrainBoard Member

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    Hi all,
    I just picked up a Kato SD45 that still has rapido couplers and as part of my rebuild I want to change out the couplers to Micro-Trains. I pretty sure that I can use the 2004-1 underslung short shank which I have, but I just want to make sure. Also I use Kato Unitrack R12 3/8-45 degree track and I was wondering is the short shank is ok for that or if I needed medium shank couplers.
    Thanks in advance,
    Ralph
     
  2. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Short shank might be fine on that track with truck-mounted couplers on cars 50' scale length and shorter, but on body-mounted cars, maybe not. Long cars like autoracks and passenger cars maybe not as well.
    Depends on what you run, but 2004s should work for most short rolling stock. If you run longer stuff, shoot for the 2001s, as 2004s might pull cars off the track on those curves.
    https://www.micro-trains.com/publicfiles/conversions/sheet007.pdf (pg 3).

    I'm no expert, but someone here certainly has experience with Kato track this tight. I run 15" radius for the longer cars.
     
  3. Martin Station

    Martin Station TrainBoard Member

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    HemiAdda2d,
    Thanks for the reply and advice, I really appreciate the coversion chart, I saved it in my files. I been helping the wife's family on the farm and thanks to the rain yesterday, I got the day off and took a much needed trip to the LHS and picked this up. I thought taking it apart to clean and relube it would give me something fun to do. The locomotive looks almost brand new and ran well when I tested it but having rapido couplers, I knew it was an early run. I had the short shank couplers on hand and I even have a spare set of Kato couplers that came with a Japanese locomotive I bought some time ago. But maybe it would be best to invest in some medium shanks. Oh well, the sun is now out so it looks like I will be back in the field tomorrow so I guess I don't need to hurry but I did get it all apart.
    Thanks again,
    Ralph
     
  4. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    SecretWeapon likes this.
  5. Martin Station

    Martin Station TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks MK, I looked at Spookshow before coming here the first time and must have read over that. I followed your link back and read a little more careful this time and saw it. I have some of those so either way I'm good. I also have some 1016 medium shanks. I did see that as HemiAdda2d posted that they also have a long shank 2001. I do really appreciate the help.
    Ralph
     
  6. ATSFCLIFF

    ATSFCLIFF TrainBoard Member

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    I use MT-1015 couplers on all my 3 Kato SD45 ('95 issue) works well and compatible with Atlas and Kato couplers.
     
    MK likes this.
  7. Martin Station

    Martin Station TrainBoard Member

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    Cliff, That's what I ended up using. The 2004s didn't work well but the 1015s fit like a glove and were at the perfect height. I also reused the Kato coupler clips, I just wish everything was that easy. It was the first time that I disassembled a Kato and put it back together and it went really well. I've done Atlas locomotives before but this was my first Kato. You can't help but be impressed with how well these ase made.
    Thanks,
    Ralph
     
    MK likes this.
  8. urodoji

    urodoji TrainBoard Member

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    The 1015 is correct for that loco.
     
    MK and SecretWeapon like this.
  9. Joe D'Amato

    Joe D'Amato TrainBoard Member

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    thanks guys for answering the question...
     

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