Newbie Question about AccuMate® knuckle couplers

[PennCentralFan]

These are the magnetic couplers.

I have a basic bachmann set with regular plastic couplers. I am interested in buying a Penn Central Loco. I see that Atlas makes a Penn Central Loco the 630 that comes with accumate knuckle couplers that are magnetic?

I have a bachmann track that connects easily it's on a plastic base, and my box cars and so on are regular plastic couplers. How do I make things compatible?

Can I use that Atlas loco with regular plastic couplers? If not how do I make things compatible.

 

[sandjam]

There are several ways to make things compatible, it depends on the amount of time and the financial resources you want to invest in it. To switch over to a knuckle type coupler;

• Most inexpensive – Buy some medium shank Unimates from your LHS. These are a simple replacement into your existing Rapido coupler boxes on your B’mann cars.
• Small expense…Get some Atlas Accumate trucks and using a 9/64 drill bit, either in the fingers or a pin vise, ream out the bolster hole. Do not attempt to use a drill motor to do this. Just take your time and apply gentle and steady pressure while reaming the hole. Use your old bolster pins on re-assembly. Bachmann metal wheels will work in Accumate trucks if desired.
• Most costly – Buy MT trucks with couplers attached.You may need to do the same 9/64 in. reaming procedure on the bolster hole.
• You can buy the MT couplers separate, assembled or unassembled. You may also need to change/modify the coupler box, if going this route.
• Another good option is to change the coupler on only one side of a piece of rolling stock and make what is known as a transition or conversion car. Knuckle on one end, Rapido on the other.

While you are modifying the couplers, take the cars apart and add 1/8 oz. lead, centered, and directly over each truck using flattened fishing weights and two-sided tape. B'mann rolling stock are on the light side. : )

 

[PennCentralFan]

There are several ways to make things compatible, it depends on the amount of time and the financial resources you want to invest in it. To switch over to a knuckle type coupler;

• Most inexpensive – Buy some medium shank Unimates from your LHS. These are a simple replacement into your existing Rapido coupler boxes on your B’mann cars.
• Small expense…Get some Atlas Accumate trucks and using a 9/64 drill bit, either in the fingers or a pin vise, ream out the bolster hole. Do not attempt to use a drill motor to do this. Just take your time and apply gentle and steady pressure while reaming the hole. Use your old bolster pins on re-assembly. Bachmann metal wheels will work in Accumate trucks if desired.
• Most costly – Buy MT trucks with couplers attached.You may need to do the same 9/64 in. reaming procedure on the bolster hole.
• You can buy the MT couplers separate, assembled or unassembled. You may also need to change/modify the coupler box, if going this route.
• Another good option is to change the coupler on only one side of a piece of rolling stock and make what is known as a transition or conversion car. Knuckle on one end, Rapido on the other.

While you are modifying the couplers, take the cars apart and add 1/8 oz. lead, centered, and directly over each truck using flattened fishing weights and two-sided tape. B'mann rolling stock are on the light side. : )

Cool, so basically the easiest and cheapest is to convert from Rapido on my B'mann cars using medium shank unimates. A screw driver should be all it takes right?

 

[sandjam]

Yep just a small screw driver will do it. Be careful and don't break the box when prying apart.