Hello.
I am about to built some wagon kits based on a Peco 9ft chassis.
The locomotive that will tow these wagons is a Kato F7A with knuckle couplers.
This is why I am thinking of replacing the Rapido couplers by knuckle ones on the Peco chassis.
I have identified two possibilities:
- either Greenmax 8055, https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10308740 (https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10308740)
- or Fox Valley Models 51000 (former Unimate couplers), https://shopfvm.com/collections/parts/products/n-static-coupler-short-shank (https://shopfvm.com/collections/parts/products/n-static-coupler-short-shank)
Which one(s) will fit inside Peco's Elsie box ?
Which one(s) will be compatible with Kato knuckle coupler ? (Some wagons with knuckle couplers do not like Kato ones.)
Thanks by advance for your help.
In short, none of the above...
The Peco unsprung 'ELSIE' coupler box is not compatible with any of the readily available alternate coupler types...
Both those you have linked to are designed for spring mounting 'T-shaft' couplers.
To fit different couplings you will need to fit a different mounting system, possibly either Peco's own NEM conversion kit (listed as 009, but IIRC is to N gauge dimensions) or Dapol's equivalent which would open up other options.
You'll need to replace the Peco coupling with something compatible with the Kato coupler. I've never tried connecting a Dapol magnetic buckeye to a Kato equivalent so no idea if that would work.
What should work is Kato's conversion kit (Kato 11-712) which will give you two Kato magnetic buckeyes. Do you need to convert all the Peco chassis or can you just do a couple at one end, leaving those in the middle as standard Peco Rapidos?
Micro-Trains couplings are compatible with Kato's, you may find something in their range that will work on the Peco wagons:
https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=63_109 (https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=63_109)
I'm intrigued - what four wheel wagon kit runs on a 9ft chassis and can be hauled by a F7A?
Steven B.
I should receive this week the Peco chassis. I will then have a look and see how an MTL coupler could be installed.
And yes, I just need to modify one Peco chassis at one end.
I could also do the opposite and replace the rear coupler on the Kato F7A by a Rapido one. I suppose this is the reference to be used:
https://1999.co.jp/eng/10147387
In reality, I am not aware of any 9ft wagons towed by a F7A.
But in Ghibli's world, it happened. See Kiki's delivery service.
Hi
I've added Microtrains couplings to a Peco wagon as in the photo below
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/125/982-010922112430.jpeg)
Cheers
Paul
It appears that I forgot to thank you all for your replies. Sorry for that.
I have found the following reference from Dapol : 2A-000-014.
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0644/3971/4015/products/HK-2A-000-014_1024x1024.jpg)
Is the big pocket of the same size as Peco's Elsie pocket ?
Could it be glued to a 9ft chassis from Peco ?
Thanks.
Yes, I've fitted the Dapol pockets to quite a few Peco wagons now.