jbaakko
Active Member
Huh, odd I never saw this before. Walthers has a product designed to replace the coupler pocket on Athearn 85'/86' Flats & Boxes. Oddly enough, it works perfectly for my Custom Rail 89' auto racks.
For those unfamiliar with Custom Rail auto racks, they're notorious for having the floor too far from the rail. By leaving out the coupler arm that comes with the kit, and trimming the bolster down, the car is lowered, but then it lacks a coupler. I've been trying to figure out what I'll do for the box.
Today I raced down to La Mesa, to Reed's Hobbies, in order to buy a paint stripper for a Kato F40PH (more this weekend on that subject). I wandered the wheels section to see if any Branchline wheels were in stock, and saw a Walthers coupler box...
Walthers #933-997:
Walthers Model Railroad Mall -- product information page for 933-997
I bought it on the spot. I just installed the box now, and its PERFECT! It does not quite swing the full width of the opening on the Custom Rail Cars, which is perfect. There MAY still be a minor possibility that my choice of Sergent couplers might pose a minor "short shank" issue. I won't know until Frank finishes the re-tooling.
For those unfamiliar with Custom Rail auto racks, they're notorious for having the floor too far from the rail. By leaving out the coupler arm that comes with the kit, and trimming the bolster down, the car is lowered, but then it lacks a coupler. I've been trying to figure out what I'll do for the box.
Today I raced down to La Mesa, to Reed's Hobbies, in order to buy a paint stripper for a Kato F40PH (more this weekend on that subject). I wandered the wheels section to see if any Branchline wheels were in stock, and saw a Walthers coupler box...
Walthers #933-997:
Walthers Model Railroad Mall -- product information page for 933-997
I bought it on the spot. I just installed the box now, and its PERFECT! It does not quite swing the full width of the opening on the Custom Rail Cars, which is perfect. There MAY still be a minor possibility that my choice of Sergent couplers might pose a minor "short shank" issue. I won't know until Frank finishes the re-tooling.