The Railway Classics N scale Denver Zephyr cars were designed to accept the
MicroTrains #1023 (assembled) or #1025 (unassembled) coupler. Assembling the
#1025 kit is greatly facilitated with the assembly jig that MT sells. When
installing the MT 1023 coupler...with the car upside down, GENTLY bend the
brass steam line about 1/4 inch upward, away from the car bottom. Move it JUST
enough to insert the 1 mm screw thru the 1023 and into the car coupler plate
which is tapped for 1 mm. After installation, push the steam line back into
place. Voila!
If the MicroTrains passenger truck is being considered, there are some caveats:
1) the shoulder around the truck bolster hole will have to be shaved down or
the car will ride too high; 2) the MT coupler on the truck can't be used
without removing the car steam line and coupler retainer (this means
permanently removing brass details); 3) installation of alternative couplers
such as Red Caboose (formerly Unimate) dummy knuckle couplers, other MT
couplers (any body-mounted style, I.e. #1015).
The Kato truck (Budd style) might be do-able (never thought of it), but the
drawback is that the Kato truck has a vertical pick-up wiper in the middle of
each side-frame that would have to be removed, or total short-out would result.
Unless great care is exercised in removing the contacts (used for car lighting
and anti-sway), if the car body does sway while in motion, momentary shorts
could be experienced.
Some of the factory trucks have exhibited rolling friction. The usual fault is
that the truck side-frames are not vertical. Careful bending to straighten the
frames solves most of the difficulty. I did this to the pilot model diner I
have, and it rolls quite freely (not as good as MT or Kato trucks, but good
enough). A pair of Kato E8's makes easy work of this.
If you need the 1 mm mounting screws, let Dave or me know. I supplied the
remaining DZ sets with them several months ago. There are enough extras to go
around; again, let Dave or me know and we'll include some packs in the next
delivery to you.
In summary: use MT #1023( or #1025). It is a drop-in solution.
Joe Valerio
Railway Classics
N Scale Guru
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