Kato Rhätische Bahn Bernina Express couplers

[kusojiji]

I am looking for knuckle couplers that fit the Bernina Express cars and GE4/4. They came with these really close couplers that are incompatible with anything else. The cars are beautiful and sticking to my run what you brung motif, I'd like for one of my steamers to be able to pull these coaches.

 

I went to the Kato website (Japan) and bought two sets: Z01-0282 and Z01-239 and these do not fit. 

 

Hope someone has experience.

[disturbman]

Not sure many have attempted to convert these to knuckles. Where is the issue? You might simply have to modify one of the two types of knuckles you ordered to fit. Could be simpler than looking for the elusive perfect match.

There is a https://ngauge.jp/ post somewhere, that offers a view of all Kato knuckle couplers. Maybe you could match one visually with the base RhB close couplers. I just don't have that link at hand.

[kusojiji]

The couplers that I bought are too thick. The way they are made is that the tongue fits inside a slot in the hook at the base. Not much room to grind off. I tried to go through what is available at the Kato website, but they post pictures of the couplers in the bags, so no good visual.

 

Thanks for the link, I'll take a look.

[kusojiji]

I think I found the thread. In case someone else needs help.

 

https://ngauge.jp/n/processing/z05-0746_knuckle/

 

Edited Sunday at 09:29 PM by kusojiji

[kusojiji]

After looking at the ngauge thread, I remembered that I have the body mount close coupling that was being used for the front of the steamers. I had done this mod a while ago when I saw the Shigemon video. The shank of it is very thin, so I gave it a try.

 

It fits and the two spring parts land in the bogy coupler mount to actually work, but they are a bit stiff. The couplers are a bit long. I have included pictures of the spacing differences.

 

The Kato US part is 800002 while the Kato JP is z05-0746.

 

I have another set of couplers coming in and hope they fit better. They're for the C11. I actually found that part by going through all of my steamer parts listings: D51, C62, C11, C12, C56. Still taking a gamble on the C11 part. If it doesn't fit, I will probably go with the 800002.

 

Oh and BTW, there is a youtube video on how to change the couplers to the close mount. Do not follow his procedure to remove the bogy from the chassis. He pries them off. The correct way to remove the bogy is to remove the chassis from the body and turn the bogy left or right. It will pop off with no damage from prying.

[kusojiji]

For the GE4/4-II loco, the Z01-239 coupler fits but is a bit long. The Z04-224 is a bit shorter, so may look into that.

 

For the open air car, I had to use the same coupler as the other cars. I don't see any issues with the stiffness as they go around the track. Again waiting for my other set to arrive.

[kusojiji]

The C11 coupler arrived. They do fit better but a new issue with the centering spring not having a way of remaining in  place at full deflection. The spring pops out of place and the coupler gets stuck. But, it looks better.

[chadbag]

Are you just replacing one coupler on one end of one car as a sort of conversion car or are you trying to replace all?  I’d leave all the cars couplers as is and just charge the end coupler on the end car to interface with your steamer or other locomotives.  

Edited yesterday at 06:21 AM by chadbag

[kusojiji]

Hi I replaced them all. This way I don't have to worry about which order the coaches need to be in. It is a pain when the coupler spring gets out of whack.

 

I have to do that with my Caledonian 0-4-0 (formerly known as Smokey Joe) as I haven't figured out how to get rid of that molded on coupler, so I have a Hedleys wagon following it around everywhere it goes (I really hate that tension lock coupling system).

 

I received my new short coupler for the GE4/4 and it is much better. Direct fit like the other one, but much shorter.

[chadbag]

That red paint on your workbench looks like blood.  Messy job changing couplers.

 

[kusojiji]

Haha, yeah. Might be from when I exorcised the demons out of that GF class 08. Document holders do a good job of protecting the desk, kinda like the plastic on the ground in that one movie.