Kadee Couplers for GGD & Sunset E7

Hi I don't own the E7s but I own the 48 set and went thru a lot of trial and error putting Kadees on the cars. I need to turn as small as 072 ( as small as those cars will squeak by) and are using the newer Type E AAR more realistic Kadee. I first bought the long shank version and installed them on the Kadee bracket. (purchase the brackets from GGD.) The long shank worked fine but looked goofy in that the car spacing was no better than the lobsters. I returned the 12 pair of those (p&d hobby) and installed the regular med length of the AAR. (these are the same length as standard Kadees so if you are using those this all applies.) The problem then became that the cars were hitting on 072s. I needed then to alter the bracket, drilling holes further towards the end of the car giving more space. It's a lot of work, but the cars look terrific and I have them just missing each other by about 2 mm. I will try to post a picture of a modified bracket later. If you push the cars in reverse, the coupler shank pushes back into the box and your cars may touch. I won't be backing up too much.

Mr. Hudson,

 

thanks for the info. It seems that you have done all of the research already, and will save me a lot of grief. BTW! What do you use to pull the 12 car set? My E7 will only manage 7 of these cars. 

 

Regards,

 

lou

I just ordered the rear bracket kit (and a center roller to repair a defective one on my 3-rail E7) a couple of days ago.

 

I've already removed the front coupler and am using the closed-door pilot (don't need a coupler on the front).

 

Hopefully I'll have it next week and get the rear coupler installed with photos.

I did the same with my Daylight cars:

 

Drilled new holes in the mounting brackets

 

You can see the difference here after mounting the couplers. I used 805's because the 700's were not out yet when I did the conversion.

 

I also used medium length couplers, but modified the box and the coupler shank to allow maximum swing for 072 curves.

Yep that's just about the distance forward of my new bracket holes too.  Flyboy, I don't own the E7s. The stripe put me off. I am planning on customizing some K line E8's or waiting for the T3 electrics. (Hopefully that will pull them.)  My Lionel NYC S-1 electric almost burned up trying to pull them all. For giggles I pulled them with my Lionel Dreyfuss and it didn't even stammer. 

LOS, did you get the mounting brackets from Sunset/GGD?

Yes I got them from Scott Mann when I bought my set of cars.

Hi All,

 

thanks for all of your input. First step will be to aff the closed end to the E7A, then add Kadee's to the B unit and all of the cars. This will be a drawn out process I am sure, but will be the final touch to make the set that much more attractive.

 

Lou