Step by Step Photos: How to Put Kadees on Atlas Cars

Back in 1983 I got to talk to a Kadee rep at a national train show, and asked him about the O scale couplers. At the time I had quite a few of the "old" Atlas O cars from that time, and wondered about converting them to Kadees on a three rail layout. If you remember back in the seventies-eighties Atlas made O snap-track (2 rail) with a 24" radius curve. He said they used the Atlas track and cars to test their O couplers out on, so it should be good down to O-48.

BTW with the truck mounted dummy couplers the old Atlas cars could do pretty much any curve, I remember in the early seventies watching 50' gondola cars zipping around my O-27 curves with no problem!

The process is pretty simple for K-Line 21" cars:









The process is simply:

1. Cut off 3R coupler with Tin Snips.

2. Drill holes for new coupler.

3. Add shims as required. The usual 2 seemed to do it.

4. Add couplers.

5. Run train.

No 027 curves for these guys!

So are there any Atlas cars that DON'T need shims to adjust the KD height? I'm waiting for some Micro Mark shims, but I've got a slew of KDs and I wouldn't mind getting started if I knew the couplers would sit right minus shims...

Brian

The PS2 high side grain hoppers can be done without shims. The Micromark shims are convenient, and I often use them, but if you're itching to go, you can make your own shims out of sheet styrene or even card stock. Use the Kadee box top as a template.

RM

Put Kadee couplers on some old Atlas cars from the 70's. Here's a WM insulated boxcar next to it's Trainman counterpart. Interesting notes on details. The air reservoir is lower on the older version, which looks nice and it rides 1 shim lower than the new version.

These are quick because the trucks snap into place and you simply pry them loose and break the coupler pocket off by hand. Holes are there for the coupler too. Done.

Great thread!

I have used the side by side on two brass models that matched the 805 Kadee boxes exactly.

I will probably print the pictures off and store them in a note book for future reference. Even I can learn something new occasionally!

GREAT work!

Pete,

Great job!! Have you or any one else tried to do the same Lionel or MTH locomotives. I love the look of scale Hi Rail equipment, but I am floored by the spacing between cars and engines. I have part of my layout built, and it allows me to run just about anything as I have 096 as a min radius.

Regards,

Lou

I know the rascal has converted everything from Lionel cars and engines to MTH, Atlas and 3rd Rail. Many were posted on the forum as a step by step, but all are lost to history. This seems to be the only one left.

http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve...21021474/m/710102374

quote:

Originally posted by FlyBoy:

I am floored by the spacing between cars and engines.

With 096 curves, you'll have no problem at all retrofitting high rail engines with Kadees. The excessive space between units is on the list of things I hate right along with oversized couplers, floating pilots, gaps and short hand rails.

MTH Dash 9 retrofitted with a fixed pilot and Kadees:



The space between units is much better, now:



RM

quote:

Originally posted by Lackawanna1223:
I'm waiting for some Micro Mark shims, but I've got a slew of KDs and I wouldn't mind getting started Brian

You can go to your local auto parts store and buy a $5 roll of gasket paper to make your own shims. This paper is the exact same paper that micro-mark uses. It comes in several thicknesses and a roll will make several hundred shims. The only difference would be that micro-marks shims are lazer cut and these would be cut with scissors. Thomas

This thread got me to finally start converting. Having come from HO I can't stand the having to (maybe) couple at warp speed. So far, as some said here, the Weaver cars are by far the easiest. The Atlas I'm finding vary all over. I've got one, maybe more, that has a pair of holes way off to the side of the Kadee box. Nothing a drill won't solve. Working my way up to the Lionel and MTH which look far more complex. So far the only real problem has been the batch of volume discount #805 couplers I got that don't have any springs on the knuckles and maybe one spare in the package. NOT happy about that at all. Checked all the local shops to no avail and ordered springs from TrainZ today.

Just replaced Atlas scale couplers on a GP-60 with Kadees to my suprise holes lined up using 2mm by 10 screws longer length for factory shim under coupler box. In the past I have always drilled and tapped for 2-56 screws, check out Micro Fasteners, Lebanon,NJ every thing you need in metric and US screws very inexpensive and fast shipping.

Although I model 2 rail, I've converted quite a few pieces of 3 rail rolling stock to 2 rail fine scale.
Here's the Atlas AEM7



The pilot packing piece was made from styrene, as was the blanking piece to fill the original coupling opening.
I made my own kadee coupling height gauge from timber and an old kadee 805.
The trip pins can be bent up slightly with two pairs of fine nose pliers if they're found to be catching any part of the track.
I also make my own packing shims for the 805's from styrene sheet.
Was lucky with this conversion as replacement wheelsets were available direct from Atlas, leaving just the pick-ups to be manufactured.
The engine has a micro-slide switch that changes power pick-up from the overhead wire or the two rail.
When running from the catenary the track power is used for the lights at a constant voltage.
Altogether, a most satisfactory conversion for under $25.

Chris.

Great looking AEM7. I've been meaning to get mine done with scale couplers. That particular Atlas offering is an honorary two rail locomotive to start with all it's great detailing.

That's some awesome trackwork.

quote:

Originally posted by rustyrail o scale:

quote:

Originally posted by Lackawanna1223:
I'm waiting for some Micro Mark shims, but I've got a slew of KDs and I wouldn't mind getting started Brian

You can go to your local auto parts store and buy a $5 roll of gasket paper to make your own shims. This paper is the exact same paper that micro-mark uses. It comes in several thicknesses and a roll will make several hundred shims. The only difference would be that micro-marks shims are lazer cut and these would be cut with scissors. Thomas

I bought some gasket paper today and it is making life so much easier. I had about 9 Atlas cars in 2-rail which got converted to Kadees with my homemade shims.

Here are some of my homemade shims:

they are 1/32 inch thick, so an Atlas car usually needs 1 to get the Kadee at correct height.

Do kadees work with the three rail uncoupler tracks?

I noticed you mentioned the Lionel is too hard to convert. I am new at this
but would like to see you do a conversion of a Lionel to Kadee.
Sam Orr

quote:

Originally posted by Rich Montague:

quote:

The majority of my cars are 40' and I am using Atlas 45 curves. I have also read where the coupler can be attached to the trucks but prefer to have them body mounted.

Its possible to modify the coupler shank and the box if necessary to get some more lateral movement. With such modifications, this car will negotiate 072 (36 inch radius curves).

By the way, this is a very good thread. Do we dare post a link over on the three rail forum?

Hi Rich, In the picture of this Atlas 89 footer, what number Kadee coupler are you using? On the prototype size cars, the coupler look's like it has a long shank and a short draft gear box. I suppose this is because of the extreme length of the trailers they carry and their overhang. I'm in the process of lowering my car using Athearn trucks and NWSL 33" wheelsets. The Kadee web site use to have dimentioned drawings for their couplers, but I can't find any for the 800 series. Any info you have will be greatly appreciated. BASEMENTBILL

quote:

Originally posted by Trevize:
I use these shims

Pete to date I haven't had a single truck come apart. While it is certainly possible that it can come apart with those screws out, I've never had an occurrence. With the high end atlas cars I'm buying there's a lot more that would break under rough handling anyway :-).

And... sure you've seen it before...

Why I like kadee couplers video

Apparently, Micromark no longer carries the Kadee shims based on the page that pops up when clicking on the link above. Might have to find something else or make your own shims.