Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

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easycap
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13 years 6 months ago #10857 by easycap

Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers was created by easycap

I just recieved some AZL funnel tank cars this morning. They are really little jewels. A close inspection found the couplers looked great. When I placed them on the layout, which is more of a switching layout then a running layout, I found that they did not couple smoothly with the MTL equipment. Has anyone changed out the couplers on the funnel tank cars from AZL to MTL couplers?

Thanks

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shamoo737
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13 years 6 months ago #10858 by shamoo737

Replied by shamoo737 on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

Yes I have, but I change the whole truck. I used the MTL roller bearing trucks, but I had to shim the bolster. The AZL coupler pocket is lower then the MTL'. The coupler pockets will rub against the body if you dont shim it.

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easycap
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13 years 6 months ago #10860 by easycap

Replied by easycap on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

When you say "but I had to shim the bolster", did you mean that you used the MTL bolster washer that comes with the MTL trucks, or did you have build the bolster truck interface some other way?

Thanks Ed

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shamoo737
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13 years 6 months ago #10861 by shamoo737

Replied by shamoo737 on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

Ed, I use a brass washer that I found in the local hobby shop, but you can make one from plastic.

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ZFRANK
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13 years 6 months ago #10868 by ZFRANK

Replied by ZFRANK on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

Did anybody ever just changed the guts of an AZL coupling for MTL? Not sure whether it can be done, though.

/Frank

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Mr.JA
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13 years 6 months ago #10875 by Mr.JA

Replied by Mr.JA on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

shamoo737 wrote:

Ed, I use a brass washer that I found in the local hobby shop, but you can make one from plastic.

John... please post a photo or two of what you are describing. ThankZ!

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shamoo737
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13 years 6 months ago #10876 by shamoo737

Replied by shamoo737 on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

The first two picture is of a MTL truck on a AZL tank car. The third picture is a AZL truck with MTL coupler guts.

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Mr.JA
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13 years 6 months ago #10877 by Mr.JA

Replied by Mr.JA on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

ThankZ for the photos, John.

With adding the brass washer... Was the bolster pin still long enough to keep the truck attached? :huh:

For the pieces of AZL rolling-stock that I am not selling off... I have replaced most with Full Throttle Bowser Bucklers.

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shamoo737
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13 years 6 months ago #10878 by shamoo737

Replied by shamoo737 on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

Alex,you will have plenty of leght in the bolster pin.

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ZFRANK
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13 years 6 months ago #10881 by ZFRANK

Replied by ZFRANK on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

Thanks John for showing the AZL truck / MTL coupler marriage !

/Frank

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ZFRANK
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13 years 5 months ago #11059 by ZFRANK

Replied by ZFRANK on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

John,

I did swap the AZL guts with MTL for my Robert Ray center beam, did sand off the small notches from the MTL guts. It does couple, but does not work like MTL intended for switching...

Hopefully MTL also needs a roller bearing truck with longer shaft soon....

/Frank

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shamoo737
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13 years 5 months ago #11060 by shamoo737

Replied by shamoo737 on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

Frank, it takes some adusting, but it can work. The coupler doesnt swing as much as a normal MTL coupler, but it still can be used for automatic uncoupling. Try to add grease em to the coupler and adjust the height of the trip pin. Also, did you cut the AZL coupler box locking tabs. I had to cut them off and use a soldering iron to seal them. I took a video of modified coupler a while back.

www.youtube.com/user/shamoo737?feature=mhee#p/u/12/OmoRnztlzXI

John

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ZFRANK
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13 years 5 months ago #11062 by ZFRANK

Replied by ZFRANK on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

John, got it. Greasing with the graphite helped. As you said, doesn't swing as MTL, but ist works good enough to spot the car.

/Frank

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dominique
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13 years 4 months ago #11160 by dominique

Replied by dominique on topic Re: Changing out AZL couplers to MTL couplers

Shamoo737 (What a nice callsign, even if I'd have preferred 747!

), please could you confirm the MTL trucks you're using on your AZL car is unmodified? As myself I'm a switching guy as well I consider the same.... :unsure: