This is one of the reasons for the U-Link-n-Pin system use on the Pacific Coast Air Line Railway. It is nearly impossible to reach in 18 inches and operate the separate links and pins of the prototype three piece system. ( Click image to enlarge)
The stock Bachmann On30 car with HO EZ-mates. The coupler will be converted into a U-Link-n-Pin Drawbar.
The other reason for the U-Link-n-Pin is the misalignment on the 18" radius curves of the railroad. Close coupling is impossible and coupling cannot be done without extended links.
The magnetic "gland hand" is pulled out of the coupler and the knuckle removed.
Trim the coupler body to a symmetrical configuration and clip off the spring ears.
Glue the coupler bodies to a piece of .040 thick styrene with ACC. Sit them aside to dry thoroughly.
Cut a coupler body from the gang and square the face with the body.
Drill a .047 pilot hole in the center of the face.
Elongate the hole with a 1/16 diameter drill, making an oval shaped opening.
The oval opening should be centered on the face.
Bevel the edge the oval with a conical burr.
After beveling, shape the face into an oval.
Open up the frame above the coupler pocket. A 1/8 diameter cylindrical burr in a motor tool works really well.
Cut away the coupler pocket.
Carefully slice off the coupler locating lug. Make a washer out of .020 thick styrene. Drill a clearance hole in the washer for the Bachmann coupler screw. Thread the lug onto the screw.
Massage the coupler pocket area to look more like individual frame members.
Fasten the coupler using the screw. Paint the coupler face and washer a burnt umber or roof brown.
Our U-Link-n-Pin Drawbar and a prototype picture.
(Click above image to enlarge)
The converted couplers make close coupling possible. A 3/16" link works with the converts.
Engineer Bill says, "You're gonna lose a finger with those babies"
I use a 10" Stainless steel tweezer with the tips reground. This seems to work the best. Magnetic tweezers do not work.
This system isn't for contest models. It does make operational way freighting possible with a Link and Pin look. I am sure someone will tell me that they are using the three piece links and pins with Nn3 and what is my problem. I am happy for anyone who can do this, but I can't and have developed this idea to compensate for my lack of dexterity.
The problem with the EZ-Mate is the "chicken neck" appearance.
Eliminating the Pencil Neck
Not wanting to fuss with converting all my equipment to the higher coupler a way of eliminating the thin neck of the EZ-mate was needed and to use the original draftgear box. D-OH!!!!!! Why not wrap a piece of tape around the coupler shank. The coupler has to be rigid anyway.
(Click Image to Enlarge)
Electrical tape was wrapped around the shank, one and a half turns. The gaps were filled with ACC Gel.
The knuckles can be removed from the EZ-Mates and used as interim Link-n-Pins. A piece of doubled electrical tape was put in the coupler box to eliminate swing.
Shown here on a S-turn thru Atlas No. 4's. Notice the mismatch. The loco is a Bachmann 2-8-0.
If the coupler can swing it will slide over into the pilot beam derailing the cars. The couplers have to be stationary.
Tight model turns will require modified "U" pins for locomotives due to the mismatch. This is the one made thru trial and error for my Bachmann 2-8-0. Long links are required for locos.
