It has been bugging me for a long time, finally yesterday I took the plunge. Since my B&M GP9, a few other locomotives and a select number of freight cars will never venture past my layout, I have started using Z scale couplers in an effort to have a more, closer to scale coupler. I'm using the Micro Trains #905 which seems to be the standard in this process. I used the small screw to "tap" the threads on the post where the #1015 bracket would go and mounted the coupler. First question: At what height should the coupler be? Do I need shims? Second question: Do you guys just use styrene to fill in the gap left in the coupler area on the pilot? I know a few of you have been doing this for a while, so any advice you can give would be great. Thanks.
Jim, you'll need a shim. I believe the ones packaged with the 905s work perfectly (the other MiNi guys use them). Or the ones in the 1015 packaging. I don't recall which. You'll need a longer screw to grab the threads. I haven't shimed mine yet, but need too. It's amazing the difference just adding a 905 makes to the overall appearance.
Matt, thanks for the advice and nice C&EI Geep you have there. Did you leave the gap under the coupler pocket open or did you fill that too?
I try to center mine height wise using the N scale Micro-Trains coupler height gauge. That way I can take my time changing all the couplers and not have any problems coupling to cars with N scale couplers.
Mine is open, as I intend on closing it up after I shim it to the correct height. Lord only knows if that will ever happen.
