Installing A Micro Trains Z Scale #905 Coupler On The Front Pilot Of A Spectrum 2-8-0

Installing A Micro Trains Z Scale #905 Coupler On The Front Pilot Of A Spectrum 2-8-0 And The Rear Of The Tender Frame

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Installing a Micro Trains Z scale #905 coupler on the front pilot of a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 isn't difficult at all if you follow the following directions. First the MT Z scale #905 coupler is more prototypically correct than a traditional N scale coupler. Previously used was a MT #1015 coupler box with a MT #2004 coupler which when completely installed on the front pilot was quite over-sized in relation to the rest of the locomotive.

The front pilot of the Spectrum 2-8-0 requires surgery to properly install a MT Z scale #905 . First you remove the dummy coupler which slides out after releasing it from the back of the pilot. Then take a very thin diamond cutting instrument and gradually widen the opening in the front pilot where the dummy pilot was placed. You want to make the opening in the front pilot to look like a thin rectangle. Use the MT Z scale coupler box as a guide. You will be cutting away some of the detailing on the pilot as you shape the space for the coupler box. You want to taper the opening so you can slip in the MT #905 coupler from the front of the pilot. You must taper the new coupler box opening so it is slightly wider in the front pilot area so the preformed #905 coupler easily slips into the opening. Then check the coupler height with a gauge or with another car and if correct glue glue the MT Z scale #905 coupler in place. in place. I done this installation on most of my older Spectrum Consolidations.

This technique can also be used for the Spectrum Light Mountain 4-8-2 and the Spectrum 2-6-6-2 Articulated Mallet as well as the Bachmann 4-6-0 ten wheeler. The front pilot with the MT Z scale #905 coupler in place is a great improvement over the factory installed dummy coupler on the front pilot ( See Photo  # 1 & Photo  # 2 ).

You can also body mount the MT Z scale #905 coupler on the rear of the tender frame. The MT Z scale coupler mates well with N scale couplers provided you mount it properly.

The knuckle of the MT Z scale coupler must be positioned so it rests in the center of the N scale coupler knuckle. The MT Z scale coupler if properly mounted on the rear of the tender will maintain the pulling performances of the Spectrum 2-8-0, 4-8-2 Light & Heavy Mountains and the 2-6-6-2 Articulated Mallet.

                 Photo  # 1 Bachmann 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler On Left; Three Spectrum 2-8-0's Follow And A Spectrum Southern Light Mountain On The Right.

Photo  # 2 Old "Platinum" Photo Of A  Bachmann 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler On Left; Three Spectrum 2-8-0's Follow And A Spectrum Southern Light Mountain On The Right.

Photo  # 3 Old "Platinum" Photo Showing The MT Z Scale Coupler Mounted On The Rear Of The Tender Frame. Three Spectrum 2-8-0's Are On The Left, Two Bachmann 4-6-0 Ten Wheelers Follow And A Spectrum Light Mountain On The Far Right. The New Spectrum 2-8-0 Is The Third Locomotive From The Left.

Photo  # 4 Old Color Photo Of A Original Run Spectrum WM  2-8-0 Released In 2002. A Mt Z scale # 905 Coupler Is On The Front Pilot The Locomotive Was Detailed With A Feed Water Heater And Extra Piping. The Original Coal Load Was Replaced With A Custom Coal Load And There Is A Lenz 0521W Decoder Hardwired In The Locomotive Boiler.

Photo  # 5   Closeup Of The Front Pilot Of The WM Spectrum 2-8-0 Showing A MT Z Scale # 905 Coupler Installed In The Front Pilot. This MT Z Scale # 905 Coupler Was Installed In 2004.

The same procedure should be followed on the new release of the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 with DCC installed at the factory. To install a MT Z scale coupler on the rear of the tender frame, you must first remove the very large factory installed coupler. This coupler just screws out. You must remember that the frame of the tender is metal. Once the coupler is removed, you must cut off the metal screw post with some metal pliers nippers. Then file the base of the coupler pocket with fine files to smooth the metal coupler pocket base. Once this is done you can set the MT Z scale # 905 coupler in the coupler pocket. You won't need a shim for the # 905 coupler on this locomotive. Since you can't tap a very small screw into the coupler pocket, cement the # 905 coupler in place with some CA cement. Just use a very small dab of cement as you don't want to have the coupler freeze up when the cement sets up completely. After 30 minutes make sure the coupler swings freely from side to side. Let this set up for 24 hours. When the coupler is completely set in the coupler pocket, you can build  up the coupler pocket with some small pieces of Styrene strips to cover the coupler  frame where you would normally use a screw to tighten the coupler. When the Styrene  coupler pocket is completely built up and set, you can paint the Styrene with Polly Scale grimy Black.

You should try this modification. You'll certainly be pleased with the results.

Stay cool and run steam.........