...this style of Rapido coupler: looking for something to replace this coupler on a coal hopper I have. Dummy knuckle replacements are also considered. Thanks!
I am guessing this is a truck mounted coupler? Have you considered the entire truck/coupler assembly? That would probably be the simplest option.
First question is do you want to use the automatic uncoupling with under track magnets of the MT brand and if not then the options open up. With MT T shank couplers the existing coupler pocket is used and they are assembled and installed into the existing pocket whether body or truck mount. They come in three different lengths so you have to determine length needed. MT couplers also come in several styles of assembled or unassembled body mounts And then the option is to also replace the truck with the MT truck mounted coupler in the matching truck style for the car and again in three different shaft lengths Cars that are intended to stay coupled and not be individually switched out can use the Accumate coupler, also formerly known as Unimates. They again come in three shaft lengths and two styles, body mount and coupler pocket mount. I have some cars designated to run as a unit train and I use the Accumates to keep them together with a MT coupler on each end to allow switching or being run in a consist with other cars that are MT equipped. I also use the Accumates for most of my passenger consists for close coupling. If you decide to go with MT they have a database that gives the couple number for conversion based off of car manufacturers and types of cars. http://www.micro-trains.com/ConversionsN.php
Are we talking about Accumate couplers that Atlas licenses and uses or Unimate couplers that Red Caboose/Intermountain sells? Unimates Kato close coupling knuckle couplers (part number 923090) are a decent alternative as well.
It's all good. I was up working after midnight, myself. I love Unimates for putting knuckles on my Japanese models that have rapidos.
I was right in there this AM with the bleary eyed set. The Unimates are listed as Red Caboose couplers formerly known as Unimates at one site I shop at. I was also transposing Accumates with Unimates.
Red Caboose acquired Precision Masters (Unimates) quite a few years ago. That might be why the confusion....
Back to the original post, I'm wondering what it is from as I've never seen anything like that spring like appendage at the bottom.
I have seen it before although the car manufacturer's name now eludes me. Basically it is a spring designed to replace the original coil metal spring in the coupler box in an attempt to reduce costs by getting rid of the metal spring. Of course in my book they would have been better off getting rid of the Rapido. I can't say if they ever worked as intended since all of mine immediately went into the trash to be replaced by something else before the car ever hit the rails. Does make it difficult for the replacement with Unimates though since the original spring is used to maintain tension on the Unimate. That is unless you have a small box of springs that you saved.
I have used the Unimate couplers several times to replace factory installed "rapido couplers" on locomotive tenders and on rolling stock. I find them very satisfactory because I am not generally doing uncoupling operations when I run trains.
I took these off a Bowser coal hopper. One of my friends said he found a Bachmann dummy coupler that is a drop in replacement for these rapido with the integrated springs, but I cant seem to find them anywhere online.
Under Bachmann Parts. http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_70_81&products_id=234 However the page does say out of stock. T shank type knuckle coupler which should fit the coupler box however it doesn't say whether the spring, which is needed, is provided.
I still like to use these although Kato USA does not sell them any more. I get them from a Japanese web site.
We need McHenry to make their coupler with a Rapido style T-shank. It would be just a matter of new tooling for the shank in place of the Accumate style.
