I've recently purchased a few Bachmann engines that have missing couplers. This includes the springs and the cover for the spring. I've taken this assembly off a freight car so that I can put it on my engine, but I'm having a hard time with the tiny parts. Is there a easy way to do this?
I took the coupler housing, spring, and coupler off a truck assembly, but it is very difficult to put them on the engine.
These are called "Rapido" couplers. Set the coupler in the housing (being careful to orient it properly so that its pin will face the track) and if you're having difficulty setting the spring in place, try pressing the end area of a toothpick across the spring like in the picture, then set one end of the spring in its housing pocket and compress it until the other end of the spring drops into place, then withdraw the toothpick while holding the spring in place with a finger. The coupler will stay put and you will be able to press the housing into the truck assembly.
I can put the assembly together as you suggested, but when I try to press it in, the coupler won't stay put. The coupler falls out when I try to line everything up. I can't seem to keep the housing and the coupler together long enough to line it up correctly.
Have you removed the truck assembly from the locomotive? I'm not wanting to compound your difficulties, but with the truck in one hand and the assembled coupler resting on a fingertip in the other, it might be easier to press it into place. It's been a very long time since I've worked on a Bachmann locomotive. I'm hoping that someone here can offer additional suggestions.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...the joys of N scale. Hopefully you dont have Shaquille O'Neal size hands like I do !!
The problem you're having IS the problem with those couplers/pockets - trying to snap the pocket in place and having the coupler and spring stay in place. Of course, you have to get the "latches" on the pocket into the holes in the truck extension. I'm afraid there isn't any real simple way to do it. It's been a while since I've done a Bachmann, too but I believe I try to get one latch in its hole and then squeeze a bit so the one the other side goes in. Removing the truck, as Hardcoaler said, may help as you will have more control. Doug
What you are suggesting is something that I will probably try. I think it will be easier to work on as you said, but I don't want to remove the truck just yet.
Sitting here going through the rest of the threads, I thought of a way that might work. I don't know. Could you lay the coupler pocket at the edge of a surface, like on a table or block of wood, held in place with some fun-tak or something, with the latches up and then, pressing the truck extension down onto the pocket instead of the other way around? Of course, this would require removing the truck, too. Doug
Since I have been having trouble with loose parts, I've been trying to come up with some way to temporarily "glue" the parts together. I never thought of tacking it from the outside and doing what you said.
The latch part of the coupler box lid may be broken and that may be why it is not holding. A frequent issue with Bmann with this part. So a visit to the Bmann's parts dept. may be in order. Back when I had a small fleet of F units I solved my problem with a new front pilot for Sunrise after cutting off both the old pilot and the coupler mount arm. The Sunrise pilot accepted a MT 1015.
I hope I don't have to do this extra work, but I will if it comes to it. Thanks for suggesting this option.
Here is something for the Original Poster to ponder for the future. You may want to avoid buying any Bachmann locomotives in the future, especially the older ones made before the 2-8-0 Consolidation in 2001. Since 2001 Bachmann has stepped up their game and their products are, operationally, better however, those made before 2001 leave a lot to be desired. Here is a website that knowledgeable people consult to get an independent appraisal of locomotives made by different manufacturers. N-Scale Locomotive Encyclopedia (North American Prototypes) (spookshow.net)
Thanks for your recommendations on buying engines. Unless an engine is very old and possibly beyond repair, I occasionally will buy it and get it working correctly. I think that part of the enjoyment of this hobby is to work on something for awhile, and the seeing how it looks/runs, etc. This could be fixing an engine, changing to more prototypical trucks on cars, or repainting some buildings that you bought cheap at a trainshow. I'm sure you know what I mean. This particular engine was "newer," (plastic box). I just couldn't refit the couplers. Now with the suggestions that everyone gave me, I should be able to do it. Concerning Spookshow, I've used his site for years. I enjoy reading his amazingly detailed reviews, even if I have no interest in buying the engine.
