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Have you tried the Kadee #118 SF Shelf couplers?
https://www.kadee.com/118-ho-scale-sf-shelf-whisker-metal-couplers-medium-932-centerset-shank

Len

No, I will purchase 12 sets and start testing them, Good idea.

We started the test by retrucking and installing body mount couplers on some old Tyco rolling stock.
1.)    Accurail Roller Bearing Trucks.    P/N:165
2.)    Kadee Universal Insulated Gear Box .    P/N:242
3.)    Kadee #118 SF Shelf couplers.
4.)    Intermountain 33" Metal Wheelsets    P/N:W40050






We installed Kadee #118 SF Shelf couplers on some Accurail 8900 Series 89' TOFC Flat Cars.



We installed Accurail #1017 standard size coupler boxes straped, Kadee #118 SF Shelf couplers on some Bachmann DD40AX Centennials.




We installed Accurail #1017 standard size coupler boxes, Kadee #118 SF Shelf couplers on some Bachmann SD40-2.




We assembled a midsized unit train and preformed the fallowing trial runs.
1.)    Step 0 to 128 (103 smph) forward for an hour on 100ft of  ez track on the R&D shop floor for maximum
        unevenness.
2.)    Step 0 to 128 (103 smph) backwards, that lasted longer than I thought it would.
3.)    Switching.
4.)    Coupling and uncoupling

Once properly rigged everything worked quite well using the Kadee #118 SF Shelf couplers, no car separation due to coupler creep.

This is stock footage of some highspeed trials.

Split gear repair:

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,38101.msg278975.html#msg278975

Try this link, I've upgraded several Bachmann DC GP40's, and DC SD40-2 to DCC sound using this method.


https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,38200.msg279496.html#msg279496

for rigging the running gear:








For the axels On mine, I used the same method for reattaching the axels as repairing split gears:

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,38101.msg278975.html#msg278975

NOTE: Git you're rigging right first, then apply the Loctite 271 one wheel at a time verifying the rigging as you go.

NOTE: Bachmann HO US 4-8-4 Replacement Axles & Gear - V2:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/VFFJSVRL7/bachmann-ho-us-4-8-4-replacement-axles-gear-v2?optionId=231823000&li=marketplace

NOTE: for working 3D gears see:

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,38055.msg278679.html#msg278679

1.) clean your track, they have a hard time getting power on curves due to the D-D trucks(8 wheels per truck).Ues a Mr. Clean MagicEraser(found in your kittchen) with denatured alcohol.
2.) clean your wheel sets, denatured alcohol and a Q-tip.DD40AX's are twin engine power hungry, and are sensitive to dirty track.
3.) if cleaning is not working, remove the shell and check power train for proper movement.(do not remove wires, hold shell of to the side during this check).
4.) check gearboxes for split gears (pop the tab on the back and remove two littel scews in the center).




5.) for split gear repair see.

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,38101.msg278975.html#msg278975

6.) Weight and running see.

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,38127.msg279155.html#msg279155

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,37929.msg278006.html#msg278006

You can use which ever it takes to take the droop out, as long as it doesn't bind. grey is a good start point.

[DROOPING COUPLERS.]

If your trip pin hangs down and has a habit of catching on the ez-track turnouts causing derailments or car separation you might try a couple of things.

DROOPING COUPLERS.
               
1. DROOPING COUPLER (FIG.1).               
2. TURN CAR UPSIDE DOWN AND PLACE ON A MAINTENANCE CRADLE.               
3. REMOVE GEAR BOX LID (FIG.2).               
4. INSTALL KADEE 0.010 GRAY INSULATING FIBER WASHER ON COUPLER (FIG.2).       
5. FOR NEW CARS INSTALL KADEE 0.010 GRAY INSULATING FIBER WASHER ON COUPLER (FIG.3).       
6. REINSTALL GEAR BOX LID (FIG. 4).               
7. USING A KADEE #206 HO INSULATED MULTI-PURPOSE COUPLER HEIGHT GAUGE FOR HO STANDARD, CHECK CLEARANCE (FIG.5).
8. IF TRIP PIN IS BELOW FOOT PLATE, WITH BLUE BOX CARS ADD ONE KADEE 0.010 GRAY INSULATING FIBER WASHER AND ONE
   KADEE 0.015 RED INSULATING FIBER WASHER ON THE KING PIN BETWEEN THE FRAME AND TRUCK (FIG.6).
9. FOR TYCO BODY COUPLER UPGRADE, ADD TWO KADEE 0.015 RED INSULATING FIBER WASHER ON THE KING PIN BETWEEN THE
    FRAME AND TRUCK (FIG.7).
10. WHEN THE TRIP PIN IS ABOVE THE FOOT PLATE, CHECK FOR CLERANCE ON THE KADEE #321 BETWEEN-THE-RAILS CODE 100
    DELAYED-ACTION MAGNETIC UNCOUPLER (FIG.8).
11. CHECK FOR CLEARANCE ON THE EZ TRACK TURN OUT (FIG.9).

           
FIG.1


FIG.2


FIG.3


FIG.4


FIG.5



FIG.6
   


FIG.7


FIG.8


FIG.9

I like to use the gray kadee washers to take the droop out.

Nothing wrong with the Cuplers. Its the track that is not perfectly level, and that's using a Lazer level to 0 ± 0.018.
When the train slows down and stacks up the couplers find level on the section of track there setting on, which starts the coupler creep. When resuming forward speed, the couplers are locked in that offset position until the cycle is repeated. The push pole cycle is in milliseconds. I believe the #118 HO Scale SF Shelf Whisker® Metal Couplers - Medium (9/32") Center set Shank will solve the problem.

No, I will purchase 12 sets and start testing them, Good idea.

You are 100% correct, however kadee couplers have one flaw when operating large unit trains. Coupler creep. long trains at speed have a push pole effect, causing the couplers to ride up and down until They uncouple with a loud pop. Our consist consists of four DDA40X lashed together for a length of 5 ft±, the rolling stock is another 65ft±. When the lead engine running at speed hits some dirty track it momentarily slows down, causing a ripple effect throughout the train pushing the rolling stock up against the lead engine, lead engine picks back up stretching the consist back out, this whipping happens in milliseconds. The Kadees are not caged, they don't like it and the train eventually will come apart from Coupler creep. So, we are obliged to use the caged couplers that are on the market and still in production. If Kadee can come with a caged coupler, I would be happy to purchase a thousand of them. 

I do a lot of large-scale switching, 100 cars+ using X2F couplers (horn hook) and have no problems with them. There is nothing wrong with the equipment, it's how you're using it. Couplers are specialized equipment. Find your type of operation and use the proper couplers for that Operation.

NOTE: One type of coupler cannot always meet all the different types of operational requirements.

Installing decoders is simpler than you think, see this step by step install.

https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,38200.0.html

Answering your question. We are in the high desert of southern Idaho, and the layout is only 592.75 feet of track.
13 Left turnout #5, 11.5". (remote)
13 Right turnout #5, 11.5". (remote)   
3 Left crossover #6, 21.25". (remote)   
3 Right crossover #6, 21.25". (remote)   
2 Bridges spanning 5.25 feet each.