RMweb Gold Andacami Posted February 22 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22 Hi, First question (yes, already). Does anyone have any guidance on how to convert these old Bachmann vans to Kadee. Not a straight swap, so I'm keen to know what I need to buy or how to mod before splashing out. I'm thinking of just cutting the lugs that support the old couplings flush and going from there, if still too low, then venture into purchasing a different Kadee. I'll make do with what I have here Kadee wise as far as length goes but I will at some stage need something shorter - it's all fun and games just now. Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butler Henderson Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 A quick dodge is to drill a hole in a 19 or 20 and screw fix in place instead of the tension lock as shown i n https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/other/mti_article.html 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Andacami Posted February 22 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22 I've gone 100% destructive and removed the old couplings mounts. Filed smooth yo the level.of the base, it seems to be a good fit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roythebus1 Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 (edited) I've done quite a few old Bachmann and others, use the medium length Kadee 147 whisker coupling I think, screw straight onto the wagon floor, drilling a new hole. The back edge of the knuckle should be level with the buffer line, that way you close up that horrible big gap to get close coupling. Just get rid of the old coupling mountings. the new whisker coupling takes the pain out of fitting the self-centring spring! I'm also fitting Kean close-couplings to my coaches and using either roco or Hornby close-couplers with Kadee 18 NEM couplers on the outer ends. Also currently trying the Kent magnetic couplings. Edited February 22 by roythebus1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Andacami Posted February 23 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23 Thanks @roythebus1 that's the way I'll go 👍 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butler Henderson Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 If you use a long length you can get the draft box fitted so that is not protruding forward of the bufferbeam and looks a lot better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roythebus1 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 12 hours ago, Butler Henderson said: If you use a long length you can get the draft box fitted so that is not protruding forward of the bufferbeam and looks a lot better. Thos couplings need to be mounted further back so the back edge of the C of the knuckle is level with the buffer face. It gives a good close coupling and should still go round sharp corners. If I get time I'll do some pics of my stock. I've just spent a couple of evenings fitting some old Mainline coaches with Kean close couplings and a mix of Kadees and Roco KKs. I've posted pics recently of Bachy suburban coaches fitted with the Kean system and a variety of couplings.My Applemac keeps losing my entire photo library when I try to post pics on the internet. Then they reappear!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roythebus1 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 link here to my earlier article, there's also another on how to KK an Airfix B set. Have a scroll down this forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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