Kato GEVO couplers: why so high?

I've been there, bro
Get thee a MT Coupler Assembly Jig




You can also read this thread on the subject.

In N scale, you are not a man unless you have assembled a Micro-Trains coupler with your bare hands. GRRR!!!!

 

I have built numerous 1015 couplers in 2004 boxes, works like a champ. Bob.

 

I'm going to try (one last time) the 923503 couplers. They're short straight shanks, albeit listed as for the NW2.

 

I wish Kato had given me that answer, I had not looked at the NW-2 for another coupler number. Guess I will order some of them if they look right, don't have an NW-2. Bob

 

I typed "straight short coupler" into the search engine on the Kato parts page and that was the only thing that came up. I just placed an order for some myself, so we'll see how they work out in about a week.

 

What you have built yourself here is the 2003 - and I expect yours are more reliable than the MT factory built ones. MT only drilled one screw hole in the bottom of the draft box and left the top as solid plastic :frustrated:.

 

Problem solved! The 923503's work perfectly:



Now why didn't Kato include them in the package to begin with?

 

I ordered a couple of packs from Kato, now to get around to installing them. They look good. Bob.

 

How does one install MT couplers on a recent Kato locomotive? I've been an N-scaler for 6 years and don't even know how to do this. Thiere's obviously no place to screw the coupler in. Do you just glue it in with CA?

 

no you get the right mt coupler for the engine and you use the retaining clip that holds the original coupler.

 

The retaining clip will only work (I think) with the 2004 coupler box. If you're using 1015's, you have to tap the hole so that the screw that comes with the couplers can be screwed in, as well as remove the little notches from the pilot opening.

 

no I used 1015 on mine and the retaining clip.

 

Cool, that's good to know. I hate tapping screw holes.

 

Thanks guys. I was able to change the couplers on my GEVO to 1015s in a 2004 draft gear box.

BUT CHECK THIS OUT! It prompted me to change out the couplers in my other Kato locos and look what I found out:



Here's a Kato SD70ACe next to my trusty MTL coupler height gauge. IT'S TOO LOW!

And with the GEVO next to it - it's the correct height!!!!

So actually, there's nothing wrong with the Kato GEVOs - the other Kato locos' couplers sit too low!

The other Kato locos I have are SD70ACes, an SD90/43 and a C44-9W. All measure up lower than the MTL coupler height gauge (the Dash-9 matched up, but it already had MT 2004s attached. My SD70ACes now have 2004s and hook up fine.

I also have a P42 Genesis, which had stock couplers that matched up, but they were underslung!