Model Building Tips N Con-Cor PA Coupler Swap

Model Building Tips - N Scale Con-Cor PA1 and PB1 Coupler Conversion The Con-Cor PA1 was one of the best N scale diesels available in the 1970s. It was an exceptionally smooth runner in an era when many N scale locomotives ran poorly. It was also very well built, with a solid and reliable mechanism. Older locomotives like this can still be viable models. Like most N scale model train equipment of the day, though, they came equipped with the old school Arnold Rapido style couplers. Most modern N scale model train equipment now comes with Micro-Trains compatible knuckle couplers. The newer style couplers won't mate with the Arnold couplers, so older equipment needs to be converted. Micro-Trains sells a number of coupler conversion kits for many different older N scale model trains. In this episode Dan uses one of those to swap the couplers on the powered PA1, and a different kit for the unpowered PB1. The Santa Fe PA1 and PB1 in this video belong to Dan's cousin, who recently bought some N scale trains for his son. Dan offered to swap the couplers so he could add this Alco A-B set to the roster. Dan also shows two of his own old Con-Cor N scale PA1s, painted many years ago for his fictitious North Coast railroad. These units have run so many miles (real miles - not N scale!) that they are worn out. These retired units are a testament to the durability of the N scale Con-Cor PA1 mechanism. If you have older N scale model trains with old school couplers, you don't have to give up on them. Convert them to Micro-Trains couplers and put them back on the rails!