Diesel Drawbars

The prototype EMD FT's were attached by drawbars, actually (in A-B sets, I believe).

 

The drawbar's length can be determined best by trial and error; place your units

on the smallest diameter curve that you intend to use. Measure between your

mounting points on the trucks (where the couplers are now screwed in) when you have the units as close as you'd like without interference. Make a drawbar from brass or aluminum stock of sufficient thickness, and drill some holes on each end. If the truck design allows it, you can adjust the length as needed to accept some diaphragms and give 

a good appearance.

 

This is a fiddle-with-it project, and requires compromise, but it's easy. I just did it

on an FA set that I upgraded (both units powered, etc) and I did not want to install

an 8-wire M/F plug for my tether. So, no uncouple, please!

Mario, If you mount the drawbar on the trucks on an F3 I know you can negotiate 042 with the diaphragms touching. I'm not using drawbars but Kadees. I suspect the radius would be even tighter with drawbars as their swing would be less restricted.

 

Pete

I close coupled my Lionel sharks. I used fixed K line couplers and K line aluminum pasenger car diaphragms. Both from brouser supply. Not sure of the spelling.  I posted a photo of the pair , you may want to look it up. Works fine, looks great.  The diaphragms needed a little trimming to fit, but they stay in without any glue, that allows me to sell the Sharknose  if I want to later. I always like to have the option of returning whatever I modify back to factory specs. This was easy. Fred

Thanks, everybody...

I read the other thread and eberyone's looks great. I love the Kadees, but I'm not there yet.

So, Audi, you just used 1 3/16" fixed couplers for the Sharks and Presto! They're close coupled? I'm really not interested in electroo-couplers between units, so I'd just replace them all.

I know the MTH PAs I have also have fixed couplers, do you know how long those are and if they'd be drop-in?

Thanks, Mario.