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Walthers Mainline 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

Locomotives

#148

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

EMD F7 A EMD SW1 - EMD SD70ACe - GE ES44C4 Evolution Series GEVO GE ES44AC Evolution Series GEVO EMD GP9 Phase II with Chopped Nose EMD GP9 Phase II with High Hood EMD F40PH EMD NW2 Phase V EMD SW7 Alco PA EMD F7 A-B Set Alco PA - PB Set

Freight Cars

#148

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

40' Association of American Railroads AAR Modernized 1948 Boxcar 40' AAR 1944 Boxcar 50' ACF Exterior Post Boxcar 40' PS-1 Boxcar 53' Railgon Gondola - 34' 100-Ton 2-Bay Hopper - 50' Pullman-Standard PS-2 CD 4427 Covered Hopper 60' High Cube Plate F Boxcar 40' USRA Wood Boxcar 40' Early Reefer 60' Pullman-Standard Flatcar 59' Cylindrical Hopper 60' NSC 5150 3-Bay Covered Hopper 50' ACF Exterior Post Boxcar 60' High-Cube Plate F Boxcar 57' Mechanical Reefer 60' Pullman-Standard Bulhead Flatcar (48' IL) 40' ACF Welded Boxcar w/8' Youngstown Door 50' Pullman-Standard PS-2 2893 3-Bay Covered Hopper 50' Pullman-Standard PS-2 2893 3-Bay Covered Hopper 37' 2980 Cubic-Foot 2-Bay Covered Hopper 60' High-Cube Plate F Boxcar 57' Mechanical Reefer 53' GSC Bulkhead Flatcar International Bay Window Caboose - International Extended Wide-Vision Caboose -- 50' Evans Smooth-Side Boxcar 40' Well Car

Passenger Cars

#148

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

Passenger Cars
with a double swing gearbox
without an attached gearbox lid.

#26
 

85' Budd Large-Window Coach 85' Budd Baggage-Lounge 85' Budd 10-6 Sleeper 85' Budd Diner 85' Budd Small-Window Coach 85' Budd Baggage-Railway Post Office 85' Budd Observation 85' Budd Baggage-Lounge 85' Budd Diner - 85' Budd Small-Window Coach 85' Budd Large-Window Coach 85' Budd Baggage-Lounge 85' Budd Dome Coach - 60' Thrall Material Handling Car MHC-2 85' Budd Large-Window Coach 85' Budd Baggage-Lounge - 85' Budd 10-6 Sleeper - 85' Budd Dome Coach - 85' Horizon Fleet Coach - 85' Horizon Cafe/Club Food Service Car -

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.