IHC 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

0-4-0 Dockside

0-4-0 Dockside Conversion
 
 

0-4-0 Switcher

0-4-0 Switcher Conversion
 
#144 Pilot and Tender
in a
#252 Gearbox

0-8-0 Switcher

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

2-6-0 Mogul (Mehano)

2-6-0 Mogul (Mehano) Conversion
 
#148 Pilot
in a
#252 Gearbox

2-6-0 Mogul (Mehano - Slovenia)

2-6-0 Mogul (Mehano - Slovenia) Conversion
 
#148 Pilot
in a
#252 Gearbox

2-6-0 Camelback Mother Hubbard

2-6-0 Camelback Mother Hubbard Conversion
 
 

2-8-0 Consolidation (Mehano - Slovenia)

2-8-0 Consolidation (Mehano - Slovenia) Conversion
#149 Pilot
in a
#252 Gearbox

2-8-2 Mikado

2-8-2 Mikado Conversion
 
#148 Pilot
in a
#252 Gearbox

4-4-0 American (Mehano)

4-4-0 American (Mehano) Conversion
 
 

4-4-0 American (Slovenia)

4-4-0 American (Slovenia) Conversion
 
 

4-6-2 Pacific (Mehano)

4-6-2 Pacific (Mehano) Conversion
 
#148 Pilot
in a
#252 Gearbox

4-6-2 Pacific (Slovenia)

4-6-2 Pacific (Slovenia) Conversion
#141 Pilot
in a
#252 Gearbox

4-6-4 Hudson

#146 Pilot
in a
#252 Gearbox

4-8-2 Mountain

4-8-2 Mountain Conversion
#146 Pilot
in a
#252 Gearbox

ALCO C-415

 
#143
in a
#252 Gearbox

ALCO C-628

ALCO C-628 Conversion
 
 

EMD E-8/9 A and B Units
(Mehano - Slovenia)

EMD E-8/9 A and B Units (Mehano - Slovenia) Conversion
 
 

SD-24

SD-24 Conversion
 
 

EMD SD-35

EMD SD-35 Conversion
 
 

EMD SD-40

EMD SD-40 Conversion
 
 

GG-1 Electric

GG-1 Electric Conversion
 
#147
in a
#252 Gearbox

GG-1 Electric (New Production)

GG-1 Electric (New Production) Conversion
 
 

MDT Switcher (Mehano)

MDT Switcher (Mehano) Conversion
 
#141
in a
#252 Gearbox

Center Cab Switcher (Mehano)

Center Cab Switcher (Mehano) Conversion
 
 

Thunder Bolt Set (Mehano) SD-40 Loco

Thunder Bolt Set (Mehano) SD-40 Loco	 Conversion
 
 

Thunder Bolt Set Cars

Thunder Bolt Set Cars Conversion
 
 

Crane Car and Boom Tender (Mehano)

Crane Car and Boom Tender (Mehano) Conversion
 
 

Log Car (Buggy)

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

Freight Cars

Freight Cars Conversion

in a

#147
in a
#212 Talgo Truck Adapter

(New) Old Time Freight Cars (Mehano)

(New) Old Time Freight Cars (Mehano) Conversion
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Heavyweight Passenger Cars
6 Wheel Trucks

Heavyweight Passenger Cars 6 Wheel Trucks Conversion

 
 

Heavyweight Passenger Cars
4 Wheel Trucks

Heavyweight Passenger Cars 4 Wheel Trucks Conversion

 
 

Tavern Lounge or Observation -
Truck Mount As Above -
Dummy Coupler End

Tavern Lounge or Observation
 
#148 or #158
in a #252 Gearbox

Passenger Car Truck, (Mehano)
6 Wheel Die Cast Metal (After Market)

Passenger Car Truck, (Mehano) 6 Wheel Die Cast Metal (After Market) Conversion

 
 

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.