K-Line Engine Coupler Replacement

Brasseur's bought out the inventory of K-Line parts many years ago. They had an extensive listing on their website, which is now gone. So I can't look up the correct part number. It would be either a number starting with 2300- or 2100- since the S-2 shared parts with the Alco FA. (Just for reference, the complete truck assembly is the same for the K-Line Alco FA, S-2 and RDC Budd car, although the coupler arm for the RDC is different). The motor truck assembly for the MP-15 (though very similar in appearance) is also completely different... everything: the gears, the housing, the coupler assembly, etc. You can't fit a MP-15 truck onto a S-2 switcher without major changes. The coupler arm is longer in length for the MP-15, but could be used.

BUT Brasseur's sold out of the coupler arms for the S-2 switcher many years ago, and so have been long unavailable, save for seeing them on ebay, or other parts vendor listings. Lionel under the K-Line by Lionel banner remade the S-2 switcher in Erie, Western Pacific and maybe a couple others. Lionel's part number for the S-2 coupler arm is different, but it doesn't matter as Lionel too has been long sold out of that particular part.

I've been cobbing couplers using other brands for the S-2's for quite some time. Lionel dummy couplers work the easiest, but you have to have a Dremel tool to do some grinding. You could use the coupler arm for the RDC or the MP-15, but they will stick out from the engine much further. Another issue is you may lose the "self-centering" function of the coupler arm depending on what other replacement you come up with.

I have no idea what item that 2600- coupler arm is from.  I'm assuming the one you found is from Trainz.com.

NOTE:  EBAY LINK DELECTED PER TOS.

It appears they bought out an inventory of K-Line parts either from Brasseur's or someplace. But looking at your photos, notice that the round end of it that inserts into the truck assembly is thicker than that of the 2600-. So you may have to find some small washers for spacing, But they'll need to be wide enough to allow the coupler armature arm to insert into the hole, and yet narrow enough to fit. Also that long thin piece that goes off the back of the coupler arm - that's the "self-centering" arm. On the K-Line S-2 coupler, the end of that arm is "L" shaped, and off the top of that "L" shape, there's another "T" shape. That 2600- has neither.

You might try calling or messaging Trainz.com to see what the 2600- coupler arm is from. They also might be able to recommend a somewhat suitable replacement, though like I said, chances are it will stick out from the truck much further that the original S-2 coupler.

I am sorry to hear about Brasseur closing.  BUT, I did print out the complete K-Line Parts inventory listing several years ago and put it in a binder.  I would gladly offer to copy the pages and send to anyone that would need it.  I'll also spend some time scanning the listing to a PDF that may be emailed as well. 

Just another crack in the K-Line history book.

I believe the 2600 coupler fits the MP15 switcher.

Thanks, everyone, for your quick and thorough response. The bottom line, it sounds like I'll need to find a junker somewhere to scavenge a coupler. In the meantime, I'll run the engine in reverse to pull cars.

Ahitpy ---- would you happen to have in your binder the actual part number I need for the #2314 engine? May not help me if parts aren't available, but it could help to locate one.

@Ahitpy posted:

I am sorry to hear about Brasseur closing.  BUT, I did print out the complete K-Line Parts inventory listing several years ago and put it in a binder.  I would gladly offer to copy the pages and send to anyone that would need it.  I'll also spend some time scanning the listing to a PDF that may be emailed as well.

Just another crack in the K-Line history book.

Curious as to what you use to scan to PDF. After trying a few utilities, I settled on a free/opensource app called "NAPS2" (literally 'Not Another PDF Scanner 2') and have so far scanned hundreds of pages of documents, all with OCR so they have searchable text embedded within them. Cropping, rotation, brightness/contrast adjustments, page re-ordering and merging with existing PDF documents are supported too.

---PCJ

I use the HP Scanner app that is on my All-in-one printer/scanner/fax.

Try looking for K2100-1. That is the coupler for the Alco and should fit the S2 also. I don't see it listed on the Trainz web-site. You could contact them to see if they have it. Brasseur's had a lot of parts that aren't listed on Trainz. It may be that they haven't finished listing everything yet.

The coupler Trainz has listed as K2600 looks like a K2200 which is used on the MP15. It will not work in the S2. They are completely different types of couplers with different mounting ends.

RAF, the listings I have show the following:

K2100-09-09-04  Dummy coupler (Replaces K2100-09-01-02 Operating Coupler S-2 K2300 Front & Rear/Alco K2100 Flat End Only)

Try going to a local train show and find a parts guy...they might be able to help you.

Good Luck, Good Hunting!

Please find attached the K-Line parts list from Brasseur's before the website was shut down.

The K2600 coupler is used in the RDC. The RDC uses the same truck as the Alco and S2. K-Line used a special screw adapter to mount them in the truck. You could use the K2600 if you can find the adapter screw. I don't know the part number for the screw.

You might be able to find a 3D print design, even if you don't have the equipment to print you could outsource a few. Or if you feel adventurous you could take one for the team and do a design.

WOW! This thread proves that members, and train enthusiasts, of OGR are suberb! I specifically want to thank each of you again for providing a brief update of K-Line, possible sources to locate K-Line parts, PDF of entire K-Line parts numbers, and exact part numbers that will work in my S2 engine. I truly appreciate your guidance and help.