Does anyone have or know where to get any of the discontinued Life Like knuckle couplers #433-1436? I want to do a simple conversion to my Tyco rolling stock. I would love to get ahold of about 40 to 50 couplers if possible.
Thanks
Country: USA ~
Posts: 13 ~
Member Since: November 10 2009 ~
Last Visit: September 08 2022
If you're planning on using the original trucks without cutting off the couplers, is it worth trying a Kadee #212 talgo adapter? It might be more expensive than the Life-Like knuckles but if you can find Bachmann E-Z Mate couplers in bulk it might bring the cost down a bit compared to buying Kadees.
Just make sure that they are the E-Z Mate Mark II couplers, as the first E-Z Mates had a plastic leaf spring which is sometimes a bit weak and doesn't keep the knuckle closed, causing cars to uncouple. The Mark IIs have a coil spring just like a Kadee and don't have this problem.
I haven't experienced Life-Like knuckle couplers before so I can't say whether a #212 and accompanying coupler will line up perfectly with another car fitted with Life-Like knuckles or not, or if you need offset shank couplers. All of my converted cars have body mounted couplers, I cut off the talgo couplers and screw a #5 box straight to the underframe.
Country: Australia ~
Posts: 91 ~
Member Since: April 29 2016 ~
Last Visit: November 19 2024