On my Wally-world split frame FA-2's I used Kato F-7 short shank knuckle couplers (the one for the front) between the units. It placed the diaphragms within hairs of each other. You can slide the coupler onto the clip, but you will need some spacers (heat shrink tubing works, or brass). The S
Hmmmm... this sounds verrrry interesting. Especially in light of the fact that the Red Caboose Unimate conversion (RNP-51058) which is needed for the split frame FA's has been OOP for more than two years. What steps are needed for this conversion? Just replace the LL coupler directly? :tb-err:
LL FA-2 Close Coupling Project I used the Kato 923140 which is now discontinued. I wouldnt be surprised if the 923500 or 923015 also work with slight modification. HTH, The S
Not a problem... I changed several of my Kato F3/7 A unit pilot couplers for Z905's a long time ago so I still have the original Kato couplers on hand. Will give this a try. Thanks... :thumbs_up: :tb-cool: :thumbs_up:
I didn't use Unimate short shank for all the couplers on Kato Santa Fe F7's. Doing so made the distance between the Super Chief passenger cars even more noticeable. And I wasn't about to change couplers on all the passenger cars. Instead I changed every other coupler to short shank. The resulting distance is about the same visually as the distance between passenger cars. Esthetically more pleasing in my opinion. Ben
The short and long of coupling Hi Gang Thank you all for responding to my post. I appreciate the effort with the illustration photos. This has been helpful. In reviewing those photos I learned my confusion was caused by a retainer not used in previous generations of the Kato F units. The retainer is used to hold the magnetic coupler that now comes with the stock Kato trucks. I beleive by abandoning this retainer and its magnetic coupler I will be able to use the Unimate coupler in its place and achieve a shorter distance (loco to loco) coupling. Also I will not have to alter the stock truck. However my dilmna still remains. I contacted Red caboose ordered the Unimate couplers and they sent part# 51060. Now I have a package of Unimate couplers but they are not the right couplers according to the photo the shank is different. The coupling end looks like the coupler in the photos but the shank looks different. The fellow at Red caboose told me the package contained more than one type of coupler and that one of them would likely fit my application. The packages of couplers that I received contained two types or different length couplers, a flat shank (short)1 hole and (long)flat shank 2 hole coupler. Does anyone recall the part number for the correct matching couplers for the Kato application? What is the Z905 that GNFA310 is refering to? Thanks again JoeW
The last ones I bought are RNP-51000. See the scan blow. I think this is what you need. Walthers has none but possibly one of the dealers they have sold them to still has some. See: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/629-51000 Ben
JoeW: How did it work? Sizemore, et. al., are using the couplers with the holes on the InterMountain units. There are other applications, too. ABCRRone is showing the correct number for the Kato application, RNP-51000.
