You are hereForums / Locos and rolling stock / Athern coupler boxes missing, any sugestions for replacements?

Athern coupler boxes missing, any sugestions for replacements?


By CSX railfan - Posted on 28 May 2010

  I have a kit of an Athern SD 40-2 (the one that needs the coupler pockets to keep the shell on the chassis) and, after a work-bench mishap, both coupler boxes, couplers, and screws have gone missing. I have found 1 of the sets, but the other set is still MIA (I think the carpet monster was awake, for a change) Can anyone give me a sugestion for finding a replacement for the screw, and the coupler box? I have given thought to getting a replacement from Athern, but the idea of the shipping being more than the cost of the box is not what I want to deal with. I have given thought to scratch-building something to keep the shell on, and then replacing both couplers with Kadees, but I have no clue as to how to go about doing this.

Any sugestions?

SPSHASTAROUTE's picture

Best bet is to get them from athearn.  Or you can try one of the large on-line retailers, sometimes they have athearn parts-- its hit or miss.  You probably don't want to hear this, but what I do in this situation is wait till I have a larger order ready to go, and add the odd-ball item to it.  Also try your local hobby shop if it's a decent one.  They may have the part on-hand, or they can order it for you, usually free from shipping charges.

Mike

 

Mike Lozensky

Moder Railroader   Railroad Modeler

 Thank's for the sugestion, I have been meaning to find an excuse to go to the hobby shop ( YES!I can go now!) and buy those detail parts and that locomotive to rebuild. Thanks

I'm hopelessly clueless.

jarhead's picture

keep the economy  going !!!!!

 

 

Nick Biangel 

Rio Grande Dan's picture
You Can Get Them From one of our Sponsoring Advertisers  MICRO-MARK   go to the following page at Micro-Mark to find the couplers and pockets.  Go down to the middle of the page every Model Railroader should have 20 or 30 extra couplers on hand.
 

http://www.micromark.com/?ns_md=Bannerad&ns_sc=Advertising&ns_cn=BA1&utm...

If you don't find what you want there then go to Kadee the coupler specialists. see link below

http://www.kadee.com/index.shtml

NARROW gauge MINDED
AND PROUD OF IT

When you buy replacement couplers from Kadee they come with boxes for the couplers. Use this as your base and build up with styrene to further support the boxes in place at the right height. Screws can be bought from any hardware or electronics stores. 

Steve 

mikeruby's picture

All my stock, locos and cars are fitted with Kadees. I find standard length one fit most, except for locos with snow ploughs, where I use long versions.

I file the loco mounting pads or add styrene pads to get the couplings the correct height. I find modern locos are easy to fit, older Bluebox Athearn often required the mounting to be filed down and the use of under or overset couplers. I use standard Kadee screws, 2-56. You can buy taps from Kadee to tap out a hole in the chassis for them. Or drill a clearance hole and use a nut and bolt.

Mike Ruby

>> Posts index