Title says it all. Is there an easy way to do this? I'm building a small switching layout and while I love AZLs tank cars (I got me a set of light blue PROCAR 23K gallon ones), I'd rather use MTL couplers. I'm going to assume I can't just swap out one set of trucks for another, but is there a way to do this that doesn't involve performing microsurgery? Even if I haven't quite gotten the hang of the magnetic couplers just yet, it would be nice for my whole fleet to perform the same way.
Actually, you can. I've swapped the AZL trucks/couplers to Full Throttle trucks/couplers. Still can't do switching operations with the FT version, but I prefer them over the AZL product.
I have one at home I borrowed from Loren and will do the conversion. It should be straight forward, but these days we are seeing more and more manufacturers make their product so it's somewhat involved to convert couplers. Joe
Drken, what I do is use MTL truck mounted coupler instead of AZL truck and coupler, but add a washer. MTL coupler box is a little taller then AZL's.
I've heard using a washer to shim the MTL trucks, but what size washer do I use and where exactly do I put it?
Oh, so that is where that tank car is........you probably drained it and didn't clean up the mess. It was carrying maple syrup so this is a real sticky situation Joe. You'll attract bees and flys I'm afraid. Nope, you're on your own on this one buddy. )
I'll figure this out later today, and if I can make them with laser board, will cut a bunch for folks who need some. In the meantime I think some .010 styrene punched will work. Actually Loren I took the maple out and put in some Bacon Grease...enjoy! Joe MTL
I think what I used was a 0-72 brass washer usually easy to find in most any full service hobby shops. Put the truck pin or bolster pin through the bolster and then put washer on the pin then insert the pin with truck and washer into the hole in the car body. In my case I like body mounted couplers so I body mount my coupler, but connecting the truck to the car is the same whether you are using separate truck and coupler or talgo truck which includes the coupler. Kadee makes fibre wahers in various thicknesses and coloured coded grey green and red, (if my memory is any good) if you want to be more accurate with coupler height when body mounting use which ever combination of these washers that gives the body mounted coupler the right height went checked with the coupler height gauge. This last step is only necessary with body mounted couplers. There was a picture around showing this on an AZL tank care sometime in the past month or so. Bacon grease.
I think what I used was a 0-72 brass washer usually easy to find in most any full service hobby shops. Put the truck pin or bolster pin through the bolster and then put washer on the pin then insert the pin with truck and washer into the hole in the car body. In my case I like body mounted couplers so I body mount my coupler, but connecting the truck to the car is the same whether you are using separate truck and coupler or talgo truck which includes the coupler. Kadee makes fibre wahers in various thicknesses and coloured coded grey green and red, (if my memory is any good) if you want to be more accurate with coupler height when body mounting use which ever combination of these washers that gives the body mounted coupler the right height went checked with the coupler height gauge. This last step is only necessary with body mounted couplers. There was a picture around showing this on an AZL tank care sometime in the past month or so. Bacon grease.
There's been an interesting development in this.I tested the rolling stock and found that a MTL coupler will uncouple from an AZL one when it's over the magnet. That's good to know as It's saved me a lot of work. I'm not sure about delayed uncoupling, but we'll see. Thanks for the help anyway.
Joe, it is .010 laserboard according to our laserboard guru friend who recommends the black, which I have, which you may use for all your adoring fans. Have your people call my people
I think it's a case of it not grabbing it all that well to begin with and the magnet just causing it to shake the other one off. I haven't tried it with the other MTL couplers, so it may just be a unintended consequence of a borderline defective coupler. Delayed uncoupling is also easier because they won't couple together all that easily either. @AR: Thanks for the info. Hopefully, it won't have to come to that.
