I recently purchased a KATO F7 N scale loco and it is missing the rear coupler. What is the Microtrains coupler that I need? Sku? Thanks
Hey the Microtrains couplers are great (you can find the right ones on their website, they have a chart) but when you couple multiple F units they couple really far apart. I used the Kato couplers below for close coupling and added diaphragms now they run almost prototypical distance and still clear tight radius. I attached a picture below you can find this stuff on the Kato parts web page.
James, Here ya go: https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=352 Regards, Wolf
Yep. That's the ticket. Exactly how the WP F units are equipped below: DSCN0773 by NorsemanJack posted Jul 8, 2018 at 10:27 AM DSCN0775 by NorsemanJack posted Jul 8, 2018 at 10:29 AM I "glue" the springs to the back of the couplers with Microscale Kristal clear and use Microscale Liquitape to attach the diaphragms. Both easily reversable if the next owner wants OEM.
Honestly I didn't like the MTL couplers on my F-Units. Their installation of them causes a modification of the truck that prevents you from going back to the Kato Couplers. I really like the Kato couplers if I am coupling to Kato rolling stock, but they are not good when coupling to anything else, at least not automatically.
I don’t know if you’re pulling freight or passenger cars with your F7 but I also replaced the front coupler of every Kato passenger car set with those close couplers, it brings your passenger consist to a much closer and believable distance while still being able to run on a tighter radius.
I have one CZ set where I've replaced the front coupler of every car with one of those. Replacing both mating couplers would be too much. Sounds like the same as you've done. I HATE excessive spacing. I even started a thread on it back in the day. N scale close coupling alternatives | TrainBoard.com - The Internet's Original Do NOT get me started on the MT Heavyweights.
I purchased this KATO F7 second hand. It looks to be in like new condition but came with no rear coupler. The front seems to be Micro Trains. Anyway, I don't know if the truck was modified or not. That could be a new wrinkle. Being mainly an HO guy, I have never owned a Kato F unit until now.
There is a small tab in the middle of the coupler pocket that holds the spring for the coupler. If that is there it hasn’t been modified. The front coupler in MTL is actually a good modification.
Depends what a person is looking for. I like the smaller Kato coupler. Do you still have to file the pilot to install a MT?
Not on my F7 or F3s. The F3s were new mech and the F7 were old mech. But I also have some really old mech F3s that yes needed the pilot enlarged a little bit. So metal truck old, yes, the others no.
When I bought my Milwaukee Road FP7 second hand, it had no rear coupler. I just got a replacement Kato coupler and, while it couples to MTs OK, the Kato isn't as freely operating so if you move up to a freely rolling car, slowly, it will push the car instead of coupling to it. A little faster and it couples or it's fine with a string of cars. Doug
