I picked up a pack of couplers to convert my Atlas PRR RS-3 Alco from Rapido to MT couplers. Problem is, I can't quite figure out how to do this without screwing up and ruining a great $70 loco. Can anyone explain this to me in a way that won't be as confusing as the "instructions" on the package?
Will, if this is a recent product, the couplers should fit in very easily. There is a clip behind the pilot holding the rapido in place, pry this out, remove the rapido, place the MT coupler in it's place and replace the clip. It should just snap in. A pin in the center of the clip goes into the hole in the coupler box.
BIG WILLIE, get in touch with me off trainboard and maybe I can help you. I'm in the process of getting up enough nerve to paint up 6 RS-3's to my road colours and I converted the couplers not too long ago. As I remember it wasn't a big deal. I'll take a look at them again and await your contact. Don't panic, if I can do it anyone can. Gary
Well, the model is from 3rd quarter 1995, so the coupler styling is kinda old. I don't really see a way the MT coupler would just snap in there. The thing is, the original couplers were on the truck (or whatever the part is that the wheels are on ), so basiclly I'm changing the coupler position (?) I dunno, all I know is these are the right couplers to do the conversion (or so the local train shop owner says so). Again, anyone else?
I am pretty sure that this is the Atlas/Kato RS3. The correct coupler conversion for this, according to the MT web site, is MT#1152. This conversion comes with pilots. I have done similar conversions, and they are fairly simple. [ 21 June 2002, 20:25: Message edited by: Chesapeakenscaler ]
BILL,(Chesapeakenscaler) I think the picture you have shown is an SD? something or other. I have three Kato RS2s and three Atlas RS3s and none of them look like your picture. The only difference I can see between the RS2 and the RS3 is the battery box and location of the exhaust stack. I'm converting my Kato RS2s to RS3s by putting Atlas RS3 shells on the Kato chassis. They fit perfectly. Kato never made any RS3s and the CNR never had any RS2s. I now have three Kato RS2 shells to get rid of. Two are undecorated and one has a beautiful Chicago Great Western paint job on it.
Well, turns out the owner of the hobby shop sold me the wrong parts. But I got the right ones today (like stated earlier, MT#1152), and they went in with little difficulty. Now my Alco looks damn good
