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AHM (Pre 1993 Rivarossi) HO Scale Coupler Conversions

The perfect solution for all of your coupler woes. Thanks to our extensive list of HO Scale coupler conversions, it's easier than ever to fit Kadee® Couplers onto your locomotives and rolling stock. Our conversions typically require the least modification to your model, and the How-To Instructions and diagrams make fitting your new couplers a breeze. Remember to always check your coupler heights with our #206 Coupler Height Gauge. We've done the hard work for you, so find the perfect coupler in the list below.*

 
  Whisker® Metal Coupler Standard Coupler Other Coupler Options

0-4-0 Dockside (Early model)

0-4-0 Dockside (Early model) Conversion

 

#34 Pilot

#31 Rear

 #144 Pilot or #141 Rear
in a #252 Gearbox

0-4-0 Dockside (Late model)

0-4-0 Dockside (Late model) Conversion

 

#34 Pilot

#34 Rear

 #144 Pilot or #144 Rear
in a #252 Gearbox

0-4-0 Switcher w/Tender

0-4-0 Switcher w/Tender Conversion

 

#37

 #147
in a #252 Gearbox

0-8-0 Switcher

0-8-0 Switcher Conversion

#148 Tender

#158 Tender

#38 Pilot

#5 (NO.5®) Tender

#58 Tender

 #148 or #158 Pilot
in a #252 Gearbox

2-4-0 Bowker (Tender only)

2-4-0 Bowker (Tender only) Conversion
 

#34

 #144
in a #252 Gearbox

2-8-4 Berkshire

2-8-4 Berkshire Conversion
 

#34 Pilot

#26 Tender

 #144 Pilot
in a #252 Gearbox

2-10-2 Santa Fe Class

2-10-2 Santa Fe Class Conversion
 

#38

 #148 or #158
in a #252 Gearbox

2-8-8-2 USRA Mallet

2-8-8-2 USRA Mallet Conversion
 

#33 Pilot

#27 Tender

 #143
in a #252 Gearbox

4-4-0 Genoa or Reno (Tender only)

4-4-0 Genoa or Reno (Tender only) Conversion
 

#34

 #143 Pilot
in a #252 Gearbox

4-6-0 Casey Jones (Tender only)

4-6-0 Casey Jones (Tender only) Conversion
 

#37

 #147
in a #252 Gearbox

4-6-2 Heavy Pacific

4-6-2 Heavy Pacific Conversion
 

#33 Pilot

#27 Tender

 #143 Pilot
in a #252 Gearbox

4-6-4 J3a Hudson

4-6-4 J3a Hudson Conversion

#148 Tender

#28 Pilot

#5 (NO.5®) Tender

  
4-6-6-4 Challenger
 

#33 Pilot

#27 Tender

 #143 Pilot
in a #252 Gearbox

4-8-8-2 Cab Forward (Early model)

4-8-8-2 Cab Forward (Early model) Conversion
 

#34

 #144
in a #252 Gearbox

4-8-8-2 Cab Forward (Late model)
 

#33 Pilot

#27 Tender

 #143 Pilot
in a #252 Gearbox

4-8-8-4 Big Boy

4-8-8-4 Big Boy Conversion
 

#33 Pilot

#27 Tender

  

Heisler (2 & 3 truck)
 

#32 Body Mount

#21 Truck Mount

 #142
in a #252 Gearbox

Alco C424
 

#31

 #141
in a #252 Gearbox

Alco RS-2

Alco RS-2 Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)

 #28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

EMD BL-2

EMD BL-2 Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)

 #28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

EMD E-8/9

EMD E-8/9 Conversion
 

#27 Pilot

#24 Rear

  

EMD GP-18

EMD GP-18 Conversion
 

#21

  

EMD SD-40

#153

#148
 
  

Fairbanks Morse ‘C’ Liner

Fairbanks Morse ‘C’ Liner Conversion
 

#31 Pilot

#37 Tender

 #144 Pilot or #147 Rear
in a #252 Gearbox

GE 1000
 

Modified #20 NEM 362

  

GE U25C

GE U25C Conversion
 

#38

  

GG1

GG1 Conversion
 

#37

 #147
in a #252 Gearbox

Krauss/Maffi

Krauss/Maffi Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)

 #28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Plymouth MDT Switcher

Plymouth MDT Switcher Conversion
 

#27

  

Whitcomb Switcher

Whitcomb Switcher Conversion
 

#38

 #148 or #158
in a #252 Gearbox

All Freight Cars - Talgo Trucks

All Freight Cars - Talgo Trucks Conversion
 

#37 Truck Mount

 #147
in a #252 Gearbox

All Freight Cars - Body Mount

All Freight Cars - Body Mount Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)

 #28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Old Time Freight Cars

Old Time Freight Cars Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)

 #28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Old Time 4-Wheel Passenger Trucks

Old Time 4-Wheel Passenger Trucks Conversion
 

#508

  

4-Wheel Passenger Trucks

4-Wheel Passenger Trucks Conversion
 

#508

  

6-Wheel Passenger Trucks

6-Wheel Passenger Trucks Conversion
 

#505

  

Tavern Lounge or Observation -
Truck Mount As Above -
Dummy Coupler End

Tavern Lounge or Observation
 

#38

 #148 or #158
in a #252 Gearbox

4-Wheel European Passenger Cars

4-Wheel European Passenger Cars

 
 
 #18

Anywhere a NO.5® is listed, the #28, #58 or #118, #119, #120, #158, #148 Whisker® Coupler can be used in its place.

Newer models with factory-installed knuckle couplers are easily converted using our standard head #148 or scale head #158 Whisker® Couplers.
If you need a longer coupler, use the #146 or scale head #156 Whisker® Coupler.

Shallow cast-on gearbox fix: If you have a Kadee® Coupler that is not moving freely back and forth in a shallow cast-on gearbox. This is because some clone knuckle coupler manufacturers started molding shallow cast-on gearboxes on their models to fix the problems with their drooping clone knuckle couplers. The fix is a simple one. You have to file the top of the coupler shank a few strokes with a file, usually just enough to remove the black coloring to make the Kadee coupler function correctly in the non-standard shallow cast-on gearbox.

*Our conversions are based on only one model from a production run; there may be inconsistencies in a model’s production run that require a different coupler or model modifications to achieve the proper coupler height for coupler function.

** Metal Coupler Note: It is not recommended to use a metal coupler directly on a metal surface to avoid the possible electrical crossover or shorting that may cause damage.