MTH 400E coupling to 200 series boxcar

Hi,

   The wheels on the tender are smaller than the 200 series cars, anyway you can

switch the wheels on the tender to the larger wheels, that's real odd they don't

match up, give MTH a call and see what they can do for you.

 

Tin

If all else fails, bending the couplers, if carefully done with SMOOTH-jaw pliars, is really not a big deal. Just bend one UP slightly, and the other DOWN till they mate with some slack so there is a little "free play" between them.

Or replace at one end of the freight car a longer coupler and bend that at a angle

that will match the tender.

 

Tin

Bend the coupler on the 400E. Make it straight that will come close. The coupler on the car is bent up a little so just bend it down to line that with the straightened one.

 

Maybe there is a straight shank coupler in the box with the engine.

Thanks guys for all the info. I know in tinplate everyone runs what they want but I thought since the 400E is the largest steam standard gauge engine that 200 series boxcars would be what looks best. Now that I line everything up it is a bit confusing. The 500 series car wheels, frame and coupler match even the top of the car sit about level as the tender but the car box looks really small. The 500 series car wheels match the tender so that looks nice. I guess everyone does what they want but can you guys tell me what size boxcars do you run with your 400E? I did check the engine box for another coupler that would be straight which would work but no luck. I am going to email the hobby shop and MTH just to get feedback. Either way, I LOVE my new engine. I think I caught the tinplate fever and even going to sell some of my O gauge trains that I have not been using to purchase more tinplate. Thinking about the Super 381 engine next. Thanks again, this forum has been great! Frank

from the MTH catalog:

"While the 400E is best known for pulling the Blue Comet passenger set, it is also one of only two steamers to be cataloged with the large 200-series freight cars."

The 400E was made to run with the 200's, so you're correct in thinking they look right together and the 500's are a little small for it.  Anything you can do to get them to match up would be okay.    You might save that tender coupler to use with other cars (passenger sets?) and get yourself another long straight shank coupler to fit the 200's, that would be your quickest and easiest solution.  200 series trucks under the tender would be another possibility but more expensive and probably unnecessary.

MTH should include a straight shank coupler and a bent coupler. It is meant to pull 200 series cars and Passenger cars. Blue Comet and State cars run on 500 series wheels and have a coupler height lower than 200 series cars.

 

The problem exists on this engine and a 408E because both engines were meant to pull passenger and freight cars.

I have been told that the original 400E's were shipped with either a straight shank coupler or a bent shank depending on whether they were in a set with 200 series cars or Blue Comet cars. I cannot confirm this, can one of the expert collectors jump in here?

Would there be a CLEARANCE problem with the 200 series' wheels on the 400E tender?

 

Never tried it, so I honestly do not know!

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I don't know a lot about standard gauge since I just got into it but I don't think the 200 series wheels will work on the tender because then the front drawbar will be higher where it connects to the pin of the engine. I am going to purchase a straight coupler and change out the one on the tender. I am still going to contact Side Track Hobbies where I purchased the engine and MTH. I will post what info I get from them. Thanks, Frank

That true, go for a different coupler.

 

Tin

The draw bar would not be flat. Lionel put 200 series trucks on a 390X tender to raise the coupler to accept 200 series cars.

 

I doubt the wheels would look very good on either tender.

 

I went down stairs and straightened the coupler. This was down in less than a minute. I will go back and take the wave out.