David Shapiro posted:Can an American Models S scale Hi-rail be converted to scale wheels and couplers? Easily?
Thanks
David
Easy. I've converted cars both ways: Scale to Hi-rail and Hi-rail to scale.
For freight cars, change either the trucks or wheels. The Hi-rail coupler is held on by the truck and truck screw. Add Kadee or AM Snap-Lock dummy coupler. The older cars like boxcars and plug door boxcars were set up for the Kadee #5, (there was no S Scale Kadee when AM started up) so a little care is needed to mount the 802.
AM's diesel drive is simplicity itself, basically unchanged for 30 years. This is their GP9. I put on the cable ties to bundle the wires:
AM usually has diesel wheels in stock, remove the cover plates and have at it. You'll probably have to bend the pick up wires a little to contact the back of narrower scale wheel.
AM's steam locomotives are a little different. All drive wheels are geared (it's essentially one big power truck) and the side rods are just along for the ride. It's important to get all the drivers lined up so the rods don't bind.
A note: AM's scale wheeled locomotives don't have couplers mounted, but they do throw in a packet of Kadee S Scale couplers.
Rusty
