I have a Atlas SD-7 with the old Rapido type couplers made into the truck. What micro-trains couplers will l need to change them out? Thanks guys
I would consider the pilot conversion, instead of the truck mount. If my memory is correct, that part number was 1162. That has been changed now. They come in assorted colors to match your walkway. Look here: http://www.micro-trains.com/ConversionsN.php
But the Rapidos are mounted too the truck there is a way too replace them with micro-trains right? Also at what point did Atlas put rapidos on there engines?
I don't recall a direct truck mount conversion being made. If it doesn't show in that list, you'll be doing a bit of custom work. The pilot conversion is not at all difficult to do. The engine you have goes back about twenty five years, to 1990. It came with Rapidos. A few years later, the next release came with factory M/T pilot couplers.
The pilot conversion is definitely the way to go. The longest or hardest part is waiting for the glue to dry. (I used the Plastruct cement). The truck mounted coupler pockets are cut off using Flush cut pliers, or if you don't own any of those, a fingernail clipper. It takes longer to describe how to do it than it does to do it. After the glue dries (overnight) you need to drill a hole for the coupler box. If you take the shell apart and separate the handrails from the sill unit, you can drill your holes through the sill unit and not drill through the walkway. After the hole is threaded and you attach the coupler boxes to the sill unit, the ends of the screws can be cut off and filed flat if they are that long. The color match is perfect with the stock Atlas/Kato paint. Once this is completed and the handrail / walkway assembly is put back in place you can't even tell the difference between what you just did and the later Atlas units that came with body mounted couplers. Mark
