This subject may have been dealt with before but I haven't been here in a long while so I must ask.
What is the solution to solving coupler height problems between Atlas O scale SD40's with new couplers and Atlas O freight cars?
I have both numbers of Illinois Central SD40s (6005 & 6002). These couplers are very low compared to the height of all of my cars. I have 50'6 ACF boxcars, Trinity hoppers, PS 4750's, PS 4427 and Trinity Corn syrup tank cars and Evans 53' boxcars.
I need major help.
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I'm not familiar with this exact engine. I have had a few that needed some type of mod. On my MTH GP. I had to grind the body down a bit to raise the pilot. It seemed like the easiest way out as the pilot is diecast. MTH has fixed that problem on newer releases.
Maybe this coupler would help if you don't want to modify anything?
http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page747.htm
I'm pretty sure Atlas uses a shim between the pilot and the body. Maybe U could just grind that down thinner? or make a thinner one?
Would it be possible to grind the coupler mount?
The long term approach is to get an Kadee Coupler height gauge. Then set all the stuff you have to that height. Anything new that you buy, check the height and adjust. That way you are working to one target. If you try to adjust one piece of equipment to another, you don't know which is correct, or if either are. So you may adjust the second one and find that they next piece you buy is wrong also.
The Kadee gauge sets on the track and you mount a coupler to it. The back side has a gauge to indicate where the underside of the car body should be.
The solution may be as simple as converting to Kadee couplers and draft gear boxes. Indeed, I suspect that the factory-installed Atlas draft gear box is your culprit.
I converted a pair of three rail versions of these (Atlas SD40s) to fixed pilots and installed Kadee 806s, and the coupler height came out exactly right with no shimming. But the Atlas draft gear box has a much thicker top panel than does a Kadee box, so had I used the Atlas set up, the coupler likely would have mounted lower. So switching to Kadees will help, if not solve, your problem. Mounting your own Kadee draft gear boxes also permits you to bring the coupler closer to the pilot. The box extends too far out on the Atlas stock two-rail SD40 models I have seen.
I used Kadee 806s (the short shank coupler) I think because it's pretty tight under the pilot (at least it was where I mounted the draft gear box) and I needed the short draft gear box. But if it will fit, the relatively new Kadee 747 with the under set shank would also raise the coupler head. But I suspect that you won't need to use that and that just getting rid of the Atlas draft gear box and going with the Kadee 743 or 806 will put your coupler in spec. (And yes, get a height gauge).
Now if I could get rid of that third rail, I'd be in business, but that ship has sailed....
Good luck,
RM
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