Athearn 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 Shelf Coupler "Scale" Coupler Other Couples

0-4-2 T "Little Monster"

0-4-2 T Little Monster Conversion
#118, #119
or
#120
#58
or
#158
#28

0-6-0 Switcher with Tender

0-6-0 Switcher with Tender Conversion
#118, #119
or
#120
#58
or
#158
#28

4-6-2 Pacific

4-6-2 Pacific Conversion
#118, #119
or
#120
#58
or
#158
#28

Alco PA-1 & Alco PB-1

Alco PA-1 & Alco PB-1 Conversion
 

or

     

AMD 103 P 40 and P 42

AMD 103  P 40 and P 42 Conversion
 
     

Baldwin S-12

Baldwin S-12 Conversion
 
     

Budd RDC

Budd RDC Conversion
 
     

EMD CF7

#118, #119
or
#120
#58
or
#158
#28

EMD DD40X

EMD DD40X Conversion
       

EMD F-7A & B (Rubberband drive)

EMD F-7A & B (Rubberband drive) Conversion
#141
in a #252 Gearbox
     

EMD F-7A & B (Gear drive)

EMD F-7A & B (Gear drive) Conversion
#147
in a #252 Gearbox
     

EMD F-45 & FP-45

EMD F-45 & FP-45 Conversion
#148
in a #252 Gearbox
#118, #119
or #120
in a #252 Gearbox
#158
in a #252 Gearbox
 

EMD GP-9

EMD GP-9 Conversion
#148
in a #252 Gearbox
#118, #119
or #120
in a #252 Gearbox
#158
in a #252 Gearbox
 

EMD GP-30

EMD GP-30 Conversion
#148
in a #252 Gearbox
#118, #119
or #120
in a #252 Gearbox
#158
in a #252 Gearbox
 

EMD GP-35

EMD GP-35 Conversion
#142
in a #252 Gearbox
     

EMD GP-38-2

EMD GP-38-2 Conversion
 
     

EMD GP-40-2

EMD GP-40-2 Conversion
#148
in a #252 Gearbox
#118, #119
or #120
in a #252 Gearbox
#158
in a #252 Gearbox
 

EMD GP-50 & GP-50 Phase II

EMD GP-50 & GP-50 Phase II Conversion
#148
in a #252 Gearbox
#118, #119
or #120
in a #252 Gearbox
#158
in a #252 Gearbox
 

EMD GP-60

EMD GP-60 Conversion
#148
in a #252 Gearbox
#118, #119
or #120
in a #252 Gearbox
#158
in a #252 Gearbox
 

EMD SD-9

EMD SD-9 Conversion
 
     

EMD SD-35

EMD SD-35 Conversion
#147
in a #252 Gearbox
     

EMD SDP-40

EMD SDP-40 Conversion
#147
in a #252 Gearbox
     

EMD SD-40-2

EMD SD-40-2 Conversion
#147
in a #252 Gearbox
     

EMD SD-40-2 Snoot Nose

EMD SD-40-2 Snoot Nose Conversion
#118, #119
or
#120
#58
or
#158
#28

EMD SD-40T-2

EMD SD-40T-2 Conversion
#147
in a #252 Gearbox
     

EMD SD-45

EMD SD-45 Conversion
#147
in a #252 Gearbox
     

EMD SW-7 & SW-7 Calf

EMD SW-7 & SW-7 Calf Conversion
#118, #119
or
#120
#58
or
#158
#28

EMD SW-1000

EMD SW-1000 Conversion
#148 (Late) or #147 (Early)
in a #252 Gearbox
#118, #119
or #120 (Late)
in a #252 Gearbox
#158 (Late)
in a #252 Gearbox
 

EMD SW-1500

EMD SW-1500 Conversion
#118, #119
or #120 (Late)
in a #252 Gearbox
#158 (Late)
in a #252 Gearbox
 

FM H 24-66 (Trainmaster)

FM H 24-66 (Trainmaster) Conversion
 
     

GE Dash 9-44CW

GE Dash 9-44CW Conversion
 
     

GE U28B

GE U28B Conversion
#147
in a #252 Gearbox
     

GE U28C

GE U28C Conversion
#148
in a #252 Gearbox
#118, #119
or #120
in a #252 Gearbox
#158
in a #252 Gearbox
 

GE U30B

GE U30B Conversion
#147
in a #252 Gearbox
     

GE U30C

GE U30C Conversion
#148
in a #252 Gearbox
#118, #119
or #120
in a #252 Gearbox
#158
in a #252 Gearbox
 

GE U33B

GE U33B Conversion
#147
in a #252 Gearbox
     

GE U33C

GE U33C Conversion
#148
in a #252 Gearbox
#118, #119
or #120
in a #252 Gearbox
#158
in a #252 Gearbox
 

GE AC 4400

GE AC 4400 Conversion
 
     

Hustler

Hustler Conversion
#118, #119
or
#120
#58
or
#158
#28

Freight Cars - Generic (Metal/wood)

Freight Cars - Generic (Metal/wood) Conversion

with

 
     

Box Car 86' Hi-Cube

Box Car 86' Hi-Cube Conversion
     

Caboose ATSF Type

Caboose ATSF Type Conversion
     

Caboose Bay Window

Caboose Bay Window Conversion
     

Caboose Extended Vision

Caboose Extended Vision Conversion
     

Container Well Car

Container Well Car Conversion
     

Flat Car 86'

Flat Car 86' Conversion
     

Husky Stack Gunderson GWF-10

Husky Stack Gunderson GWF-10 Conversion
     

ImpackEnd Car or Unit

ImpackEnd Car or Unit Conversion
     

Stock Car

Stock Car Conversion
     

Tank Car, 62'

Tank Car, 62' Conversion
     

TOFC, 86'

TOFC, 86' Conversion
     

Other Rolling Stock

Other Rolling Stock Conversion
#118, #119
or
#120
#58
or
#158
#28

Work Caboose on Flat

Work Caboose on Flat Conversion
     

Passenger Car Heavyweight

Passenger Car Heavyweight Conversion
#118, #119
or
#120
#58
or
#158
#28

Passenger Car Streamlined

Passenger Car Streamlined Conversion
#118, #119
or
#120
#58
or
#158
#28

Passenger Car Streamlined Observation

Passenger Car Streamlined Observation Conversion
     

Passenger Car Streamlined Diner

Passenger Car Streamlined Diner Conversion
#118, #119
or
#120
#58
or
#158
#28

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.