Info for Blake
Hi, Blake,
I am responding to what you asked: "My problem with the body mounted couplers it this. Do I just snip off the truck mounted coupler and discard it? I hate wasting them. I have tried to body mount them but it just doesn't work. The 1015 10 pack kits are about $10. Sure would be easier than getting all new trucks too."
I assume you are talking about Micro-Trains truck mounted couplers? If so, then you can body mount the couplers IF:
1) you carefully cut the coupler pocket off without damaging it.
2) you put a shim (usually .020 thick Evergreen sheet styrene) between the coupler pocket and the car underframe.
3) you do not run the cars on very sharp radius track. I tested a Micro-Trains coupler pocket that had been cut off the truck then body mounted on an Atlas FGE boxcar. On an 11" radius curve, the clearance between the Micro-Trains coupler pocket and the original Atlas truck 's wheels is about the thickness of a sheet of decal paper.
I would avoid using the #1015 trucks on freight cars. The coupler pocket allows the coupler to swing too far from side to side (since the sides of the coupler pocket do not extend out as far as the top and bottom). Because of this, if you back up a train on sharp curves, the couplers will "jackknife" and possibly derail the cars.
If you have any more questions, just ask.