Adding an ElectroCoupler to the front of a steam engine.

There's no technical reason you can't add an electrocoupler to any of those.  There may be cosmetic and/or mechanical reasons they won't work well, but the electrical connection for the electrocoupler exists in the locomotive.

I have added front electrocouplers to the following steam locomotives:

Weaver PRR H10s 2-8-0

Williams PRR L1s 2-8-2

Weaver PRR L1s 2-8-2

3rd Rail I1s 2-10-0

My method is to use a short coupler (like the Atlas Erie-Built coupler) and screw it to the top of the pilot truck on the locomotive.  It then becomes like the couplers on freight cars in that it swings with the truck.  I can post some more photos if you're interested. 

Here is a photo of a Weaver L1s 2-8-2 with a 3-rail compatible dummy coupler mounted to the front.  This coupler is a Selley casting from Bowser.

 Here is a Williams L1s 2-8-2 with an electrocoupler mounted on the pilot truck so it swings with that truck.

Be aware that a conversion like this is not for the faint of heart.  You'll need to remove some of the pilot material with a Dremel in order to provide clearance for the coil on the coupler to swing.  There is no going back since you will grind away the scale dummy coupler pocket and the inside footboard supports.  I did the relatively inexpensive Williams first and worked my way up to 3rd Rail.  Also, coupler swing is limited.  It is good down to O54 curves but might derail on O42. 

I use the 2-8-0, 2-8-2's and one of the 2-10-0's on local freights.  The other 2-10-0 is used as a pusher on the rear of trains going uphill.

Bob,

That's great that you were able to add the ElectroCouplers to your engines, and the Williams looks pretty good.  I have one industry switch that is 0-42; the rest are 0-54/#4 or larger.

I really don't want to mess with my 3rd Rail L1, but I'd like to do this mod to my H10 and L2.  I'll pick up a couple of different length couplers at York and see what works.  Or maybe I'll find someone to do the mod (interested?).

Ron