I just received a replacement loco, from Bachmann, with knuckle couplers installed , and with a packet of replacement Rapido couplers. Eventually I want to change everything to the knuckle style, but everything I have now is Rapido. I have just spent the last 1/2 hour trying to find some help on how to make the change to Rapido. - with no result. I know it's probably "duck soup" to the experienced hand - but it is an absolute mystery to a newbie like me. Can any one point me to an illustrated "how to" guide?
I have not done the "reverse engineering" you are looking for. Perhaps some of the really old guys have done it.
It's not hard to do, just remove the pocket and the knuckle couplers will fall out. Then place the spring back in and those confangled, ugly looking Rapido couplers will slide right back in. Put the pocket back on and you are done. But, first consider the following: All I can say is once those Rapido's are off my equipment... they are trashed and never seen again. I wouldn't mess with changing back to Rapido's. I'd get busy and change everything else I owned to knuckle couplers. Get rid of those Rapido's. I know this isn't the answer you are looking for. I'm not kidding or joking around here. You'd be better off to leave the knuckle couplers in place and update the rest of your equipment. I have a deal for you. I recently purchased a Bachmann, DCC Ready, Diesel with Rapido couplers. Would you consider a trade. I will send you a PM. Edited add on: A transition car. Change out one end of a box car or passenger car to a knuckle coupler and leave the other end with a Rapido. I think MRLDave and Fothergill hits on this idea just a few posts down. I do like that idea better then pulling off the knuckle couplers. By now you should have a PM from me.
Since you failed to mention which loco, it's pretty hard to give an answer....there are several methods used. I'll take a stab that you have the "removable coupler box" version. On these the box that the coupler fits in is held in place by 2 tabs that snap into 2 holes.....this might be in the bottom of the tender if your loco is steam or on a tab sticking out of the truck if it's diesel. You simply pop this box off....be careful because the coupler spring will usually come shooting out and disappear. Once the box is off you simply change the coupler, carefully (and probably repeatedly) put the spring back in and snap the box back into place. Some of the new diesels use a different setup......if I remember right, the rapido is held in place by a screw....Like Fatheringill I've only done it the other way, replacing the Rapidos with MTs. Good luck. Your other option is to simply make an "adapter car". Take a car, change the coupler on one end to an MT and leave the other Rapido......use that car between the loc and all your Rapido equipped cars.
How about the easy way? Don't touch the locomotive or the tender. Take a box car and swap out one Rapido for a knuckler. That will then be the car right behind the locomotive/tender and surely a lot easier than messing with the coupler the other way.
This is the way to go... Also known as a 'transition car'... it gives you the flexibility to couple rolling stock with Rapidos to a locomotive with knuckle couplers. Also the converse can be achieved... if you have a locomotive with Rapidos to a string of cars with knuckle couplers.
Just as a side note.......the Bachmann knuckles suck big time.......I went in and changed mine BACK to Rapidos, which work much better.....which tells you just how bad the Bachmann knuckles are. I'd make the swap back and then when you are ready for the MT couplers actually put MT couplers on....don't use the Bachmans!
I concur with MRL Dave...to a point. I wouldn't replace them until they splinter into pieces all over the layout. Then replace them with 1015's from MTL.
Dave, Are you talking about the working knuckles or the original dummy knuckles? The Dummy's definitely suck, they won't auto couple with anything but so far the working couplers have been very good. The only thing I have seen them come on so far is the second batch of 44T and C&O H4. They are starting to trickle in on re-releases now though. The working knuckles on my H-4 has pulled 36 cars for a couple of hours now with no problems.
