Coupling Removal.

[Paul_C]

I have a number of old Triang-Hornby Bowater slurry tanks (R668) and want to update the couplings to Kadee or similar. I need to know how to get the old ones off and whether the new type will fit.

 

Paul C.

[DCB]

You can make the Kadees fit, but the old ones look like the rivetted type which are sods to remove as the rivets get hot and melt the plastic when you try to drill them and the plastic "Tube" they fit down has a habit of ripping out of he chassis.  I made up new fixing plates for mine after ripping out the plastic tube, made from plastic like the underframe (old photocopier casing) held by Evostick pipe weld and I was only close coupling the wagons using Airfix couplings.

[Halvarras]

I use a drill bit slightly bigger than the rivet in a pin vice - takes a bit longer than a power drill but doesn't heat things up! Where possible I drill 'em from the inside. Don't chuck the released rivets away, they make neat exhaust ports etc.

[Graham108]

I've managed to remove old Hornby couplings with a mini drill without any heating issue - only takes a few seconds.

 

Graham

[Paul_C]

Thanks for your replies. Any thoughts on which number Kadee I would need to fit to keep the coupling distances the same?

 

Paul C.

[Campaman]

On 31/12/2020 at 08:56, bartram108 said:

I've managed to remove old Hornby couplings with a mini drill without any heating issue - only takes a few seconds.

 

Graham

Same here, a quick dab of oil for lubricating the drill bit also helps.

[Il Grifone]

I'd use a beefy pair of side cutters and remove the whole assembly and then dump it in the bin where it belongs (sell on eBay is an alternative!). This satisfying procedure would be followed by filing the remains flush with the solebars. A screw (or glue) will then hold a Kadee no. 5 in the correct place. Some packing will probably be needed, but it depends on the actual height required. (Kadee's height is intended to represent the American 33½" height in H0 scale, which (probably by accident) turns out about the same as UK tension locks and the Peco/HD type.)