Athearn Roundhouse HO Scale Coupler Conversions

The perfect solution for all of your coupler woes. Thanks to our extensive list of HO Scale coupler conversions, it's easier than ever to fit Kadee® Couplers onto your locomotives and rolling stock. Our conversions typically require the least modification to your model, and the How-To Instructions and diagrams make fitting your new couplers a breeze. Remember to always check your coupler heights with our #206 Coupler Height Gauge. We've done the hard work for you, so find the perfect coupler in the list below.*

  Whisker® Metal Coupler Standard Coupler Other Coupler Options

Alco RS-3 Locomotive

Alco RS-3 Locomotive Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

EMD Model 40 Critter Locomotive

EMD Model 40 Critter Locomotive Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

EMD F7 A/B Locomotive

EMD F7 A/B Locomotive Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

EMD GP35 Locomotive

EMD GP35 Locomotive Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

EMD GP38-2 Locomotive

EMD GP38-2 Locomotive Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

EMD GP40-2 Locomotive

EMD GP40-2 Locomotive Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

EMD GP50 Locomotive

EMD GP50 Locomotive Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

EMD GP60 Locomotive

EMD GP60 Locomotive Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

GE C44-9W / DASH 9-44CW Locomotive

GE C44-9W / DASH 9-44CW Locomotive Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

GE AC4400CW Locomotive

GE AC4400CW Locomotive Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Auto Loader Freight Car

Auto Loader Freight Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Old Time Boxcar

Old Time Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Wood Boxcar

Wood Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Single Sliding Door Boxcar

Single Sliding Door Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Grain Door Boxcar

Grain Door Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

High Cube Boxcar

High Cube Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Ribbed Boxcar

Ribbed Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Double Sliding Door Boxcar

Double Sliding Door Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

FMC 5283 Boxcar

FMC 5283 Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Outside Braced Plug Door Boxcar

Outside Braced Plug Door Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

ACF Smooth Side Plug Door Boxcar

ACF Smooth Side Plug Door Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

ACF 5077 (RailBox) Boxcar

ACF 5077 (RailBox) Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Single Sliding Door Boxcar

Single Sliding Door Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Offset Double Plug Smooth Side Boxcar

Offset Double Plug Smooth Side Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Single Plug X-post Boxcar

Single Plug X-post Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Single Plug Smooth Side Boxcar

Single Plug Smooth Side Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Single Plug Waffles Side Boxcar

Single Plug Waffles Side Boxcar Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

30' 3-Window Caboose

30' 3-Window Caboose Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

30' Outside Braced Caboose

30' Outside Braced Caboose Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Drover's Caboose

Drover's Caboose Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Bay Window Caboose

Bay Window Caboose Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Cupola Caboose

Cupola Caboose Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Eastern 2 Window Caboose

Eastern 2 Window Caboose Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Eastern 4 Window Caboose

Eastern 4 Window Caboose Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Wide Visio Caboosen Caboose

Wide Visio Caboosen Caboose Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

ACF 4 Bay Centerflow Covered Hopper

ACF 4 Bay Centerflow Covered Hopper Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

PS2 2003 Covered Hopper

PS2 2003 Covered Hopper Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

40' Flat Flat Car

40' Flat Flat Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

40' Pulpwood Flat Car

40' Pulpwood Flat Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

50' Flat Car

50' Flat Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Heavy Duty Flat Car

Heavy Duty Flat Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

40' Gondola

40' Gondola Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

50' Gondola

50' Gondola Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Ore Hopper

Ore Hopper Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

2 Bay Composite Side Hopper

2 Bay Composite Side Hopper Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

2 Bay Offset Side Hopper

2 Bay Offset Side Hopper Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

2 Bay Rib Side Hopper

2 Bay Rib Side Hopper Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

4 Bay Offset Side Hopper

4 Bay Offset Side Hopper Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Meat Reefer

Meat Reefer Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Wood Ice Reefer

Wood Ice Reefer Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Steel Ice Reefer

Steel Ice Reefer Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Express Reefer

Express Reefer Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Outside Braced Mechanical Car

Outside Braced Mechanical Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Smooth Side Mechanical Car

Smooth Side Mechanical Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

36' Old Time Stock Car

36' Old Time Stock Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

40' Stock Car

40' Stock Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Chemical Tank Car

Chemical Tank Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Single Dome Tank Car

Single Dome Tank Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Three Dome Tank Car

Three Dome Tank Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Standard Heavyweight Passenger Car

Standard Heavyweight Passenger Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Baggage Passenger Car

Baggage Passenger Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Coach Passenger Car

Coach Passenger Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Diner Passenger Car

Diner Passenger Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Observation Passenger Car

Observation Passenger Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Pullman Passenger Car

Pullman Passenger Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Railway Post Office (RPO) Passenger Car

Railway Post Office (RPO) Passenger Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Streamlined Passenger Car

Streamlined Passenger Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Vista-Dome Passenger Car

Vista-Dome Passenger Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Observation Passenger Car

Observation Passenger Car Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Iron Horse Train Set

Iron Horse Train Set Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

First Responder Train Set

First Responder Train Set Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Warbonnet Train Set

Warbonnet Train Set Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Steamliner Train Set

Steamliner Train Set Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Anywhere a NO.5® is listed, the #28, #58 or #118, #119, #158, #148 Whisker® Coupler can be used in its place.

Newer models that have factory-installed knuckle couplers are easily converted by using our standard head #148 or scale head #158 Whisker® Couplers.
If you need a longer coupler, use the #146 or scale head #156 Whisker® Coupler.

Shallow cast-on gearbox fix: If you have a Kadee® Coupler that is not moving freely back and forth in a shallow cast-on gearbox. This is because some clone knuckle coupler manufacturers started molding shallow cast-on gearboxes on their models to try to fix the problems with their drooping clone knuckle couplers. The fix is a simple one. You have to file the top of the coupler shank a few strokes with a file, usually just enough to remove the black coloring to make the Kadee coupler function correctly in the non-standard shallow cast-on gearbox.

*Our conversions are based on only one model from a production run; there may be inconsistencies in a model’s production run that require a different coupler or model modifications to achieve the proper coupler height for coupler function.

** Metal Coupler Note: It is not recommended to use a metal coupler directly on a metal surface to avoid the possible electrical crossover or shorting that may cause damage.