Can anybody out there tell me how to shorten the gap between Athearn F7's?? I recently purchased a A-B-A set, and the huge gap between the units is unprototypical and just plain ugly. Any ideas, or literature on the subject??? Thanks!!
i think kadee did a close coupling for the Athearn units, i just had a look in the 2000 walthers cat and its not there, im not sure if any of the other 2 they could be modified to fit the athearn units #450 is for stewart F units #452 is for bachmann ones was athearn #451??? anyway thats a good as i can get im afraid..... ------------------ wheres all the C636's???? stickymonk.com Matts Photo gallery
American Limited Makes close coupling and diaphrams kits for HO Athearn f units and Stewart units. Page 52 of the 2000 Walthers catalog. CHEERS MIKE
An alternative approach to the A-B-A spacing issue is to use drawbars; ie. similar to the flat piece between a steam engine and tender. I've seen this with the diaphrams installed and it provides the close coupling look. I was so busy enjoying it at a show that we waited for the train to come around again to see if Kadees were installed. Seems like this would be a nice solution till you get around to mounting couplers..if ever. <G> Regards,
The drawbar approach would be my method, I would also add diaphragms. ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com http://Andersley.homestead.com http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com
I saw off the Athearn coupler mounts even with the frame (rear of a-unit) and use a Kadee 30 something coupler. The coupler box is small enough to not hinder the truck swing. The front end seems to accept a #5 and centering spring fairly well without any modifications at all. The b-unit requires removing both mounting "drawbars" at the frame. The kadee coupler I used depended on what height requirements were needed. Maybe seems a little involved but I have had little problems with this.
