Help With ConCor SW1200 MTL Conversion Coupler

thomas Aug 6, 2022

  1. thomas

    thomas TrainBoard Member

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    Okay guys, need some help here if possible. I have two ConCor SW1200s , one came with Rapido couplers that I need to convert over to MTL couplers. If there's anyone who has done this conversion, can you walk me through some of it, I usuually do the 2000 and 1015 conversions fairly easy but thsi one looks a bit complicated. The conversion kit comes with either the use of 1021 0r 1022 and since the locos are supposed to be SW1200s the instructions say use the 1022s so I'm assuming that's correct. I'm also assuming I'll have to take the chasis apart to remove the Rapido couplers? As I said, I sure could use some help here. TIA



    Screen Shot 2022-08-06 at 1.47.55 PM.png Screen Shot 2022-08-06 at 3.43.38 PM.png Screen Shot 2022-08-06 at 3.44.00 PM.png
     
  2. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I have no help but a thanks. I have the same engine and the matching B unit. I am switching from HO to N and this is the only engine I have with the same needs. Mine doesn't have the yellow railings or silver exhausts. But it ran real well some 20 years ago.
     
  3. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    This is mine,

    upload_2022-8-7_7-23-24.jpeg

    It has the same numbers.
    This is the set I bought.

    upload_2022-8-7_7-25-32.jpeg

    I also need to know how to fix this flat car. Lost a wheel set and need new couplers.

    upload_2022-8-7_7-27-43.jpeg upload_2022-8-7_7-23-24.jpeg upload_2022-8-7_7-25-32.jpeg upload_2022-8-7_7-27-43.jpeg upload_2022-8-7_7-23-24.jpeg upload_2022-8-7_7-25-32.jpeg upload_2022-8-7_7-27-43.jpeg upload_2022-8-7_7-23-24.jpeg upload_2022-8-7_7-25-32.jpeg upload_2022-8-7_7-27-43.jpeg
     
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  4. SP-Wolf

    SP-Wolf TrainBoard Supporter

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    This version of the C-C SW1500 uses the MT # 1022

    For the Atlas (Rivarossi) - it would use the MT #1111

    Thanks,
    Wolf
     
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  5. MRLdave

    MRLdave TrainBoard Member

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    That conversion is pretty straight forward, but is a little bit "fiddly".......if you've assembled 1015s, it's just slightly worse because there are a couple more parts. You can probably do it without disassembly, but it IS easier with the trucks free of the chassis.......not familiar with that model, so don't know how easily they pop off.
     
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  6. thomas

    thomas TrainBoard Member

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    I'm pretty sure with this model the whole chases will need to be taken apart in order to remove the Rapido couplers and at that point the trucks will naturally fall off also. My problem is getting that small spring and the coupler pieces in all at the same time and then adding the top cover to hold everything in place. This MTL coupler looks to be much smaller than the 1015s and therefore harder to get everything where it needs to be. I was hoping someone e would have some tricks up their sleeve to help with this. :)
     
  7. thomas

    thomas TrainBoard Member

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    Rapido couplers with trucks are pretty easy to get on eBay and I'm sure someone could even offer to send you some since most don't use these anymore and have switched over to MTL trucks and couplers.
     
  8. MRLdave

    MRLdave TrainBoard Member

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    Looking at your pics closer, it looks like the coupler sits in a box that is mounted to the bottom of the chassis......the box should be removable without taking the chassis apart. I see now that the coupler is NOT part of the truck assembly. Once you have the box off the basics are just like a 1015....except there is a u-shaped metal piece that holds everything in place. Last one I remember doing , I put the U piece on end in the coupler box, then added spring and coupler, and then pivoted the whole thing down into the box. The hard part is keeping all the stuff in the box while reattaching the box to it's mount.

    Shortround,As Thomas said, most people have piles of old trucks with Rapido trucks laying around. I just cleaned house a few weeks ago and probably threw 50 of them in the trash. I normally would have kept the wheels, but most rapido equipped trucks have deep flange wheels, which won't run on code 55 track, so I had no use for them. I kept maybe 10 complete trucks (just in case) and pulled about 40 wheel sets because our club has code 80 track, so my "club trains" can still use them. You said you needed new couplers......the ones in your pic look OK, or are you planning to switch over to MT style couplers?
     
  9. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I haven't bought any new stuff in N yet so maybe I should wait and see if any are needed. I don't like those old hooks. The log loads could just park in the background.
    Thanks.
     
  10. thomas

    thomas TrainBoard Member

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    Happy to say I figured out the assembly and installation of the 1022 coupler, but I'll never do another one again. :)
     
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  11. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I've seen the videos on this and don't think I want to try it. Did save pictures on it to. YUCK!!
     
  12. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I managed to get my engine disassembled but where do I get those MT#1022 couplers?
     
  13. freddy_fo

    freddy_fo TrainBoard Member

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  14. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I would do a general google search, "Micro Trains 1022 coupler conversion" and see what comes up. Or maybe even just "MT1022".

    Doug
     
  15. thomas

    thomas TrainBoard Member

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    I got mine on eBay, are you sure that's the one you need , what engine do you have , make and model and did you check the MTL coupler guide to see what the exact coupler is? if not let me know maybe I can help. :)
     
  16. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I have the same model as the other fellow showed. Same ConCor and numbers. Just mines a Wis. Central Ltd. I'm down to his picture of the frame. But I decided to wait for the couplers to attempt opening it further.
     
  17. thomas

    thomas TrainBoard Member

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    Here you go if you haven't already seen it on eBay:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/394106269653?epid=16034230409&hash=item5bc2906fd5:g:fn8AAOSw3jpin2li

    Not meant to discourage you but this is a very hard coupler to put together and the install is just as hard. The entire frame has to be loosened enough for the present coupler to be able to slide out, the trucks will automatically fall off too at this point.

    If your present couplers are like the one I'm showing on my chassis and not truck mounted then the 1022 is what you will need. Good luck and let me know if you need any help, hopefully I can help somewhat through a conversation like this. :)
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2022
  18. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the link and offer. The couplers are in shipment so I should soon see more of what I've gotten into. :confused:
    Old injuries and old age are showing up. But today I got the computer to accept my camera so I should be able to post pics now.
     
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  19. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Well, I decided that weak old eyes and fingers weren't up to it. So while the engines were apart I cleaned the wheels with No-Ox-ID and cleaned and lubed the gears and worm drives. Back on the track it ran sort of jerky for a while. I finally found the old track eraser and cleaned the track where it stuttered and spun with a load. The head light in the B works but not in A and each one of the B and two flat car loads and heavier than all three of the new box cars together. So it's capable of work. But after running for a couple hours it runs as good as the new engines with loads.
    So yes I am in business. But now I don't have that big table for other things.:oops:;)
    More time for dreams.
     
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  20. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Some of us here have a few "compromise cars" with a Rapido coupler on one end and a Micro-Trains coupler on the other. With one, you'll be able to enjoy your new locomotive with Rapido couplers, while hauling Micro-Trains coupler-equipped cars. Just a thought.
     
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