How To Fix a High Coupler the Easy Way

In this video, a too-high coupler is replaced by a Kadee #142 knuckle coupler.
Items seen or discussed in this video:
Athearn Genesis ES44AC - your local hobby retailer or your favorite internet site or Athearn Genesis at www.athearn.com...
Kadee Coupler Height Gauge and Kadee Magne-Matic Knuckle Couplers - your local hobby retailer or your favorite internet site or Kadee Quality Products Co. at www.kadee.com/
Gear
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6I
Microphone: Rode VideoMic GO
Tripod: Vivitar
Video Editing: Adobe Premiere Elements
Full Disclosure: I do not participate in affiliate marketing and I am not paid to endorse any product or vendor. If you see a product or vendor in this video, it is a product or vendor that I like, use and recommend.

[@larryjanson4011]

just rework a shim. i have reworked many a shim to fit a specific spot. i get my couplers to be at 99% or better contact to all others.

[@larryjanson4011]

i just got done rebuilding a number of lesser open top hoppers. even filing the frames a bit. i still had to use these off-set shank couplers. they are great little guys.

[@crabbinmoose8583]

Athearn RTR and blue box diesel locomotive frames are notorious for being slightly bent up or down, just forward or aft of the fuel tank (middle). This is the very condition that causes couplers to either be too high or too low right out of the box. However, this simple condition can be easily fixed by grasping the frame (with the shell off) and pushing slightly up or down on the offensive end to get the right height. If that doesn't work, by all means install an over or under shank coupler to meet the need.

[@nssherwoodsub]

Thanks for your comment. When one pays top dollar for an Athearn model, at least the coupler height should be correct...Harold

[@crabbinmoose8583]

@@nssherwoodsub I agree 100%. Paying for basic quality is getting to be a joke these days. However, I've studied the problems that occur in the models that I and my friends run. That's why I've come up with these remedies and practical work arounds to keep the models running and people happy. Fixing expensive crap is almost like having a hobby within a hobby.

[@davestrains6816]

Great info, thanks for sharing. Dave

[@bartholomewsorrentino9013]

Thank you, this was most helpful!

[@nssherwoodsub]

Thanks...Harold

[@tonycraig6984]

I have the reverse problem. Loco is to low for passenger cars. Will Kadee #147 Overset shank work? I'm using Kadee # 158"s on the passenger cars. I need to raise the loco to the passenger cars. Thanks !!!!

[@larryjanson4011]

not a cheat. but a saver. i am up grading a number of lesser cars( 10 of them) need to use a off set shank couplers here. but not for locos. but to adjust coupler hight on rolling stock. shave off some plastic on the truck/ bottom of the car, truck spacer washers ( kadee product,). wheel dia. coupler box shims. high/ low shank couplers.

[@edsel6818]

Excellent job😉👍

[@nssherwoodsub]

Thank you...Harold

[@davidr6585]

Would have been interesting to see you compare the stock coupler that you replaced with both the Kadee's you have.

[@nssherwoodsub]

Perhaps a subject for another video. As a matter of practice, I use Kadee couplers on all rolling stock...Harold

[@davidbarrera308]

Every piece of my equipment gets checked before layout use, no exceptions.

[@nssherwoodsub]

I do the same. It just makes sense...Harold

[@wobblinwheel]

Never heard a diesel horn sound quite like that...🤔

[@thetrainboard2772]

im looking to purchase mth premier passenger cars which have been converted to kadee couplers. all of my engines have only the regular lobster claw couplers. will I be able to run the cars without uncoupling . my cuves are all 072 atlas track, and I dont have a transition car with the regular claw coupler on one side and kadee coupler on other. Im worried about uncoupling from the engines, especially when going thru atlas switch tracks. is there a height difference between the kaydee and claw couplers. what do I look for on the kaydee cars ? are kadee couplers normally higher than regular claw couplers?

[@nssherwoodsub]

Thanks for your question. Without familiarity with "claw couplers" and 072, I'm not able to answer all of your questions. Whatever coupler combination you are using, the couplers should all be at the same height to avoid unexpected uncoupling. What I would recommend to everyone is to adopt one coupler type (my preference being Kadee) and use that type on all locomotives and rolling stock...Harold

[@Robkpickle]

Wondering where you find the very small screws used with the wheels and couplers? I've lost a screw from one of my coupler boxes, so I need that one and would like to have a few on hand, just in case...

[@nssherwoodsub]

Thanks for your question. I have accumulated some in my parts box. If you have none you could: 1) steal some from unused rolling stock or 2) buy some. They are normally 050 (I believe). You may also need an 050 drill bit and a 256 tap...Harold

[@Robkpickle]

@@nssherwoodsub Thank you!, I appreciate the help...

[@nssherwoodsub]

@@Robkpickle You are welcome...Harold

[@buentaste]

Whaat FUCKING scaaaaallllle !!!😮 Why you guys assumed the newbies know automatically the scale you are showing.......

[@kentjohnson873]

This is HO. You nailed on of the biggest problems in model railroading. That being the unyielding hostility toward anyone who hasn't been doing this for 40 years. Old, fat, white men at their worst.

[@michaelbimonte9112]

use a # 142 NOT A “SHIM” no brainer imo

[@ddblink02]

That's an ES44DC.

[@nssherwoodsub]

Thanks for your comment. You're correct...today, this locomotive is an ES44DC. At the time of recording, it was (technically) an ES40DC as Norfolk Southern had de-rated some 4,400 HP locomotives to 4,000 HP. NS later reversed this so that today's version has 4,400 HP...Harold

[@ddblink02]

@@nssherwoodsub Actually, they came from GE rated at 4000 hp. Around 2013, NS determined that there was little or no cost savings to keeping them turned down, so they began turning them up to 4,400 hp. They were all completed between October 2013 and August 2014.

[@nssherwoodsub]

@@ddblink02 Ok...thanks for the clarification...Harold