SO.... I just received my new Con-Cor North Coast Limited Collector's set. Needless to say, this has been one of my best weeks in a long time!! I am enamored with the set, and there's only one thing I would like to change; the locos couple about thirty-seven scale feet apart. OK, maybe that's an oevrshoot.... but it ain't close enough for me. What can I do to remedy this? Is there a SUPER-short-shank N coupler I can pop into that Rapido pocket? Or, is there a Z coupler that will install there? I do NOT want to modify the coupler boxes, etc. because these are rare and very valuable (to me) flawless-condition engines, and the set is otherwise perfect..... I don't have good pics at the moment (camera was part of ipod touch; it died a horrible death last week- oh well) BUT, it's the old Con-Cor Arnold-chassis (KATO-motored haha) Con-Cor F3 with truck mounted couplers. Know what's really funny? The Rapido is inset in the pilot of the A units; the "bumper" on the A units' nose (above pilot) is about 1.5mm from the sill of the coupled passenger car! That's closer-than-scale coupling!!! Thanks in advance, everybody!
Short Shank Red caboose couplers (previously Unimate) should be a go as long as you are not after automatic coupling, readily available from the big M.B. Etailer store.
While I've not done this particular operation I am familiar with Z couplers. They should fit. If they don't I can tell you from experience there is room to modify, shrink, them with with a good sanding stick or file. Jim
I'll never hear the end of it but I'll have to agree with Teditor, Red Caboose #51000 to be precise. They just replace the Rapidos with no modifications if you want to return the locos to original condition, Z scale couplers would require some alterations.
Of course you will hear the end of it, just not for a very Looooooong!!!! time, after you wake up, slap yourself around the face a bit, do you realise you just "agreed" to my suggestion. I'm in N Scale Heaven. (Just a little friendly Aussie banter here folks, we only live about 80 miles apart, but have to go around the world to pick on each other, oh! the wonders of the Internet).:tb-wink::thumbs_up:
Awesome! I will pick some up posthaste. I already have some Red Caboose long-shank couplers here somewhere, but I'll pick up some shorts and go for it!
