Life-Like Trains 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 Old Time Tea Kettle		#28
0-4-0 Tank (Dockside)		#27
0-4-0 Switcher		#27
EMD F-7 A	#147 Truck Mount with a #212 Talgo Adapter	#37 Pilot, #35 Rear Body Mount or #27 Rear Truck Mount	#147 Pilot or #145 Rear with a #252 Gearbox
EMD F-7 B	#147 Truck Mount with a #212 Talgo Adapter	#35 Body Mount or #27 Truck Mount	#145 with a #252 Gearbox
EMD F-40PH	#148 Truck Mount with a #212 Talgo Adapter	#28 Truck Mount
EMD GP-38-2	#148 Old Truck Mount with a #212 Talgo Adapter	#28 Old Truck Mount
EMD GP-38-2 (New Production)		#33 New Body Mount
Truck Mounted Freight Cars	#147 Truck Mount or #148 Truck Mount with a #212 Talgo Adapter	#27 Truck Mount or #28 Truck Mount
Body Mounted Freight Cars	#148	#5 (NO.5®)	#28, #58 or #118, #119, #158
Passenger Cars	#148 Truck Mount with a #212 Talgo Adapter	#28 Truck Mount
Observation (Back End)	#146 Truck Mount with a #212 Talgo Adapter	#26 Truck Mount

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.