K-Line Santa Fe F7 Coupler

There should have been a pair of doors insert and the scale knuckle in a small bag in the foam packaging.  Did you try Brasseur's part listings?  I'll see what I have in the parts bin.  In the meantime, you may want to contact the seller....

Hello, thanks for the response. I emailed the seller and he didn’t have the coupler. I told him I could probably use the Lionel coupler, but didn’t realize it wouldn’t fit. It is the k-25301 model so it didn’t have a scale coupler with it. I emailed BrAssure, but didn’t get a response and didn’t see it on the parts list. Probably looking for a needle in a haystack.  

The coupler on the lead unit should be the same style as the one on the trailing unit. Take a photo of the one on the trailing unit and post it. Most surely Lionel has one that will fit.

Pete

I bought this Lionel one and here is a picture of the original. When I install the Lionel one, the Armatur won’t sit straight and seems too low. I’ll try to install it again to show you. It looks like a perfect match, I don’t know why it’s not working

when I install it, it doesn’t sit flush for some reason

Assuming those pins have a place to go you just have to remove the armature and bend it up.

Pete

The only F-units that had extra couplers or fixed one were the very last group of these engines made by K-line. All others didn't have different fronts. Some came with two extra fronts and some came with only one. Not sure if the Santa Fe silver was made at that time. This is the Milwaukee Road with closed fixed. It also came with a scale coupler. Your Santa Fe is an early version without the added detail. Don

One other note, the fixed coupler are mounted differently that the operating one so I don't think they would work on your early F unit unless you made new screw holes. The one on the right is your front, the left one is made for the newer version of these units. I think you would be better off finding the right coupler. Don

Or save the $$ and fill the hole with balsa, plastic, etc, and paint the pilot - will look a hack of a lot better that the huge 'claw' that should have come with it! 

I emailed the seller to explain another issue and asked if I can return it. So while running the front engine separate to test the coupler, the back wheels are slipping. I can spin the wheels freely like they are not attached to the back motor. The front wheels don’t move at all. I don’t think I noticed it at first because I never ran the front engine by itself. Plus, the rail sounds were on and the unit has 6 motors so it’s hard to notice one not working.

Ok the seller Ok’d the return. There is another Santa Fe F7 k-line set, k-25305. Anyone have this set? Does the B unit smoke too? I think I’m going to get this one. The MtH one looks nice too the older one from the late 90s but they do not smoke and only one unit is powered.

@Trainguy86 posted:

Ok the seller Ok’d the return. There is another Santa Fe F7 k-line set, k-25305. Anyone have this set? Does the B unit smoke too? I think I’m going to get this one. The MtH one looks nice too the older one from the late 90s but they do not smoke and only one unit is powered.

This is the upgraded version with some additional details like scale pilots, lighted marker lights, cruise etc. You will indeed have smoke unit in the B unit.

The Erie version made for February Fair Days is one of my favorite engines. The cloth diaphragms are annoying but other than that these later F7s are great.

Thanks for the info, I think it’s a good option. What price do they usually sell for?

@Trainguy86 posted:

Thanks for the info, I think it’s a good option. What price do they usually sell for?

The price is a tad high but not that far off. The seller is Grzyboski (ignore what the sign says). Give them a call and try and negotiate a better price. Its been done.

Pete

That’s good to know. I emailed them on eBay and didn’t get a response yet. I can call them tomorrow when they open. I was also considering an Mth 30-1465 Santa Fe northern steam engine, but I didn’t see any for saw now.

Thanks, he had the train. I talked to him and negotiated a price. With the refund from the other one it’s not too much more for this one. Looking forward to the smoke and I think they will look real nice.

@Alex W

Do you know how the cruise control works? I have a new Lionel zw with two 180 power packs. So I need something else to use it?

thanks

Mark