I have 2 1993 releases of "N" Atlas/Kato Drive GP-30's, also 1 of the GP-35's and they need couplers installed. Problem is the pieces to hold the couplers in place are missing. If I recall correctly their is a little black plastic stay, and a very small copper flat spring that allows them to move side to side. I wonder if they are available somewhere, or if maybe there are after market pieces to solve this problem. Might Atlas still has them availalbe for models this old ? Any ideas..... ????? fatalxsunrider43
Hi, According to the MicroTrains conversion charts (to be found on Micro-Trains | The Ultimate in N and Z scale model trains - choose menu point "Conversions"). all you need are the 1015/1016 coupler kits. #1015 is the version with short shank to be used on larger track radii, #1016 has the long shank. Then use the screws that come with the package to secure the coupler box to the pocket. As far as I remember you don't need the copper strip nor the black clip. hth Michael
Atlas parts diagrams here ... http://www.atlasrr.com/nparts.htm Search Atlas parts here ... https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/items.asp?Cc=N981&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc I did a quick search but had no results so I'd guess Atlas is out of those parts. (they would be the Atlas/Kato Japan ones). -Ray
Thank you very much, hopefully that will solve this problem, all 3 of these are Yellow & Blue Santa Fe War Bonnets, but without couplers I can't use them or possibly sell them, thanks ! fatalxsunrider43
Just be careful...the mounting screws could/will go all the way up through the front walkway! I found this out the hard way !! I now cut about 1/16 to 1/8 inch off the mounting screw...just to be safe. JMO .
I mount almost all my MT 1015 couplers using Walthers Goo. Great stuff. Just be carefull and not get it on moving parts.
I used the 1015 on my locos. If you use the MTL screws, you have to tap the hole for the screw, maybe drill it wider before. To do this you might need the MTL drill and tap set that contains two drills and one tap.
This is the part you want https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/itemdesc.asp?ic=480020&eq=&Tp= I prefer the clip because it supports the coupler top and bottom, where the screw only supports one side.....I also hate those little screws:tb-smile:
Just curious as I don't know (never had to replace one myself). The OP inquired about circa 1993 locomotives which AFAIK would make them the Atlas/Kato Japan. The part you linked to is from the Atlas China locomotive. They have different part numbers on the respective parts explosions, but are they in fact interchangable? As I said, curious for future reference as I have ALOT of early 90's locos and I'm bound to damage one sooner or later. -Ray
I'll do a quick check......I believe all the atlas locos use the same clip to hold the coupler in......the only locos that would be different would be the versions with the open pilots (I have a couple of Atlas/Kato RS3's that have open pilots). The link I gave was actually under "common locomotive spare parts" and is listed as fitting GP7/9,30,35,38,40,40-2 and RS1. I believe it fits most if not all others as well......I also used them on a Kato SD40 with no problems. The thing to remember is there are only about 2 actually companies that manufacture ALL the locos we buy, whether they say Atlas,Kato or Bachmann on them....so there a lot of parts that are interchangable. You can drop a Lifelike body onto an Atlas chassis with with no issues......I used an Atlas H16-44 truck on a Lifelike/Walthers FM C-liner because I couldn't get a LL one. I discovered that one because I happened to have the LL on my workbench the day I was cleaning the Atlas and noticed they appeared similar. They should be, since they are both FM locos, but I found I could swap them interchangably. Anyway....unless you have open pilots, that should be the correct retainer.
If you are converting over to MT couplers you don't need any of that because they give you the screws that hold the new MT couplers in place. Here is a pic of what I mean. This is from my GP30.
