Hi. Long-time lurker here...
I have:
Kato Unitrack.
A Model Power 7402 4-6-2 USRA Pacific W/Std. Tender.
(http://store.modelpower.com/productimages/N_SCALE_LOCOS/7402.jpg)
(Rapido coupler on the Tender)
Various rolling stock (mostly Atlas), some Bachmann. Some of the stuff goes back to the 1970's. All have Rapido couplers. The cars don't like to stay connected. So...
I would like to switch all of the trucks/couplers to Micro-trains stuff. For the rolling stock, I think I should buy either:
Bettendorf Trucks with short extension couplers (10 pairs)
(http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/v/vspfiles/photos/mtl-00310021-2T.jpg)
or Roller Bearing Trucks with short extension couplers (10 pairs)
(http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/v/vspfiles/photos/mtl-00310031-2T.jpg)
So, my questions:
1: Is the difference between the Bettendorf and Roller Bearing trucks just cosmetic?
2: Should I buy Medium or Long extension couplers instead?
3: What adaptor should I get for the Tender to work with Micro-trains couplers?
4: Am I making some huge mistake?
Any replies appreciated. Have a Merry Christmas, (and thanks in advance.)
1. Yes. Newer cars(1960's on) were built with Roller-Bearing, older ones with Bettendorf, and really old ones(pre-1930's) with Arch-Bar.
2. It depends on the particular model you are using it for. I might go with medium extension, just to be safe.
3. Micro-Trains recommends body-mounting a #1025 coupler.
4. Not really. Just make sure to check Micro-Trains conversion suggestions on their website (http://www.micro-trains.com/conversions_n.php)
Timothy
Roller bearing trucks came into mass use in the early 1960s.