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Bachmann Spectrum 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

0-6-0 Tank Switcher

0-6-0 Tank Switcher Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

2-8-0 Consolidation

2-8-0 Consolidation Conversion
 

#36 Pilot

#38 Tender
 

2-10-0 Russian “Decapod”

2-10-0 Russian “Decapod” Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

4-6-0 Ten Wheeler

4-6-0 Ten Wheeler Conversion

#148 Tender

#22 Pilot

#5 (NO.5®) Tender
 

4-6-2 Pacific (new)

4-6-2 Pacific (new) Conversion

#148 Tender

#32 Pilot

#5 (NO.5®) Tender
 

4-6-2 K4 Pacific

4-6-2 K4 Pacific Conversion
 

discontinued


#4 Pilot

#38 Tender
 

4-8-2 Mountain

4-8-2 Mountain Conversion
 

#39 Pilot

#33 Tender
 

Shay-Three Truck

Shay-Three Truck Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

EMC Gas Elec Doodlebug

EMC Gas Elec Doodlebug Conversion

#148

#38 Rear

#5 (NO.5®)
 

EMC Gas Elec Doodlebug
on Small Radius Track
 

#31

with

#454
 

EMD DD40AX

EMD DD40AX Conversion
 

#38
#148 or #158
in a
#252 Gearbox

EMD F40PH

EMD F40PH Conversion
 

#27
 

EMD GP-30

EMD GP-30 Conversion
 

#37
 

EMD DD40AX

EMD SD-45 Conversion
 

#33
#143
in a
#252 Gearbox

FM H16-44

FM H16-44 Conversion
 

#34
#144
in a
#252 Gearbox

GE 44-Tonner

GE 44-Tonner Conversion
 

#33
 

GE 70-Tonner

GE 70-Tonner Conversion
 

#21
 

GE 70 Ton Switcher

GE 70 Ton Switcher Conversion
 

#22
 

GE Dash 8-40C

GE Dash 8-40C Conversion
 

#37

#31 Front
w/ Plow
#147 or #141 Front w/ Plow
in a
#252 Gearbox

GE Dash 8-40CW Wide Cab

GE Dash 8-40CW Wide Cab Conversion
 

#37

#31 Front
w/ Plow
#147 or #141 Front w/ Plow
in a
#252 Gearbox

Locomotives or Rolling Stock
with Factory Knuckle Couplers

Locomotives or Rolling Stock with Factory Knuckle Couplers

#148

#5 (NO.5®)
Any Medium Centerset Coupler

Schnabel Car Maintenance of Way

Observation Car

Observation Car Conversion
 

#27 Front
#27 Rear
in a
#232 Gearbox

Passenger Cars (1998 Production)

Passenger Cars (1998 Production) Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Passenger Cars (All Others)

Passenger Cars (All Others) Conversion
 

#27
 

Passenger Cars (All Others)
on Small Radius Track

Passenger Cars (All Others) on Small Radius Track Conversion
 

#36

with

#454
 

Acela Set

Acela Set Conversion
 

#118

#252

with

#454
 

Train Sets with Factory Knuckle Couplers

Train Sets with Factory Knuckle Couplers

#148

#5 (NO.5®)
Any Medium Centerset Coupler

electric Train sets - DCC

Anywhere a NO.5® is listed, the #28, #58 or #118, #119, #120, #158, #148 Whisker® Coupler can be used in its place.

Newer models with factory-installed knuckle couplers are easily converted 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 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.