Hi! The present MicroTrains coupler for the F7 is actually the second of that line. The original is MUCH SUPERIOR to the current piece of junk. If anyone has any of the original MT coupler sets, I will pay $25 for each package (no, I'm not kidding). You can tell the original because it includes a piece of plastic casting that attaches to the frame of the locomotive. There is a slot in this casting that accepts a 1015 coupler, and has a pre-drilled screw hole. I can't think of a better way to mount a coupler!
Tony- Really?! I much prefer the newer conversion that contains the 2004 coupler. With it, there is no need to remove the chassis or file the shell for the front coupler. The coupler just fits in the original hole and the clip attaches it. I think my LHS has 1 or 2 of the older kits...
Chuck: I don't mind using the MT 2004 coupler either. I still have several of the older kits that I'll use on some Kato F-7's I still have to convert and then wire for decoders. Stay cool and run steam....
I'll give you a quick $25 for an old kit! I like the old one because in long train service, the coupler is braced by the locomotive chassis, not the shell. Much more better!
Chuck - that was not my experience - as you can see from the pictures I posted earlier. Heck the coupler still isn't in right. But I've put it aside until I gain a littler more "coupling" experience. That pilot job was a nightmare!
Bob, So you say, but this one about did me in. Probably due to the fact it was my first real loco mod. But all's well that ends well, I reckon. It's in and adjusted. I'll need to do some work on the pilot but hey! I'm okay with this! It's in and at the right height and angle.
Wow, after all of this, maybe I'd better use the regular Kato knuckle coupler for my remove-the-Rapido conversions on my older Santa Fe Kato freight F7s?
Chuck - that was not my experience - as you can see from the pictures I posted earlier. Heck the coupler still isn't in right. But I've put it aside until I gain a littler more "coupling" experience. That pilot job was a nightmare! </font>[/QUOTE]Tom- I have installed numerous kits of both the original and the new MT conversions and I prefer the newer one. But, there is a first time for everything!
Tom: The coupler and the pilot look great now. I have 3 or 4 F-7's that need couplers.... Stay cool and run steam.....
Tom: You made an excellent repair to that front pilot . The next coupler installation on a Kato F-7 will be much easier and less time consuming. Stay cool and run steam....
So what's next? Probably my "B" unit. Same coupler as the rear of the "A". And that one was a breeze...And I just happen to have a set or two available. So... What fun!
Tom- That's the part that's given me fits! I'm glad that you were able to repair the pilot, and you did a nice job on it. Sure beats having to buy another shell!
Chuck - Thanks. Had I known a few days ago what I know now (Hyndsight IS 20/20) I would NOT have chosen an F7 for my first conversion. But hey - It's done and as Bob says, I'll know what to expect on the next one...
Tom: Now it's time to try some MT Z scale #905's in some loco's or rolling stock. Stay cool and run steam.....
Tom: I use Z scale couplers as well as N scale varieties. I selectively choose which loco's and rolling stock will get the Z scale 905's. Stay cool and run steam.....
Here are some. I don't know if they are the older ones or not? http://cgi.ebay.com/MICROTRAINS-KATO-COUPLER-CONVERSION-KIT-X2-2000-1-NIP_W0QQitemZ6019404858QQcategoryZ19124QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem [ December 10, 2005, 08:31 PM: Message edited by: sapacif ]
Hi, all, I'm getting ready to do similar conversion on my Kato F7s (Dec 1996 run - the Santa Fe freight blue/yellow Cigar Band models) I will be converting these 1996 Katos F7s from Rapidos to some sort of working knuckle couplers, most likely Micro-Trains. I queried on Yahoo N scale about this, and the replies came back that the older Kato Rapido equipped F7s require a different MT conversion kit - the MT 1159. I have both these older Rapido-equipped Dec 1996 Kato F7s, and also the Kato knuckle-coupler-equipped June 1999 Santa Fe Warbonnet locos. I think that Santa Fe Warbonnet loco that Tom Hynds used is from that 1999 run. When I try the MT 1159, I'll look and see if the coupler clips are the same, and try to determine if the MT 1159 or the MT 2004 is the proper coupler to be used, and for which generation of Kato F7s. Apparently, there are changes that Kato made from time to time, and I'll try to document whatever I find out about which which kit goes with which Kato F7. In the subsequent post below, I'll attach my query to the Yahoo N Scale group about this question. Thx, all!
