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Athearn Genesis 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

USRA 2-8-2 Lt. Mikado (Road Pilot)

USRA 2-8-2 Lt. Mikado (Road Pilot) Conversion

#148 Tender

#36

#5 (NO.5®)
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

USRA 2-8-2 Lt. Mikado (Step Pilot)

USRA 2-8-2 Lt. Mikado (Step Pilot) Conversion

#148 Tender

#36

#5 (NO.5®)
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

4-6-2 Pacific

4-6-2 Pacific Conversion

#148 Tender

#36

#5 (NO.5®)
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

4-8-8-4 Big Boy

#148

or

#158

Both Ends
 
 

4-8-8-4 Big Boy - Closer Coupling

#153
 
 

4-8-8-4 Challenger

#148

or

#158

Both Ends
 
 

4-8-8-4 Challenger - Closer Coupling

#153
 
 

Steam Locomotives with Factory Knuckle Couplers

Steam Locomotives with Factory Knuckle Couplers Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

4-8-2 Mt-4 4-8-4 FEF 4-6-6-4 Challenger

EMD F-3, F-7 & F9 “A”

EMD F-3, F-7 & F9 “A” Conversion
 

#36 Pilot

#38 Rear
#146 Pilot or #148 Rear
in a
#252 Gearbox

EMD F-3, F-7 & F9 “B”

EMD F-3, F-7 & F9 “B” Conversion
 

#38
#148 or #158
in a
#252 Gearbox

EMD SD-70, 70I, 70M, 75I, 75M

EMD SD-70, 70I, 70M, 75I, 75M Conversion
 

#28

use

#26

w/ Plow

  

Diesel Locomotives with Factory Knuckle Couplers

Diesel Locomotives with Factory Knuckle Couplers Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

EMD SD80MAC GEN2.0 EMD SD90MAC-H GEN2.0 SD-70ACU EMD F2 EMD F3 EMD F7 EMD F9 EMD FP7 EMD F45 EMD FP45 EMD SDP40F GEN2.0 EMD GP7 EMD GP9 EMD GP18 EMD GP15-1 EMD GP15T EMD GP38-2 EMD GP39-2 EMD GP40-2 EMD GP39X EMD GP49 EMD GP50 EMD SD45-2 EMD SDP45 EMD SD60E GEN 2.0 EMD SD60I EMD SD60M EMD SD70 EMD SD70I EMD SD70M EMD SD70MAC EMD SD70ACe EMD SD70M-2 EMD SD75M EMD SD75I EMD DDA40X EMD MP15AC Switcher GE Dash 9-44CW GE AMD103/P42DC GE ES44AC GEVO GE ES44DC GEVO GE Slab Side Turbine GE U50

Auto-Max

Auto-Max Conversion

#142

#22
 

5161 cu ft Trinity Hopper

5161 cu ft Trinity Hopper Conversion

#178
 
 

Other Rolling Stock

Other Rolling Stock Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Rolling Stock with Factory Knuckle Couplers

Rolling Stock with Factory Knuckle Couplers Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

Auto-Max NACC Boxcar PC&F with Landis Doors Boxcar PC&F with Youngstown Doors Boxcar PC&F with 10' Plug Door Boxcar PC&F with 14' Plug Door Boxcar Sieco Boxcar PC&F RBL All Configurations Boxcar Berwick Boxcar FMC Boxcar Gunderson Boxcar ICC Boxcar PS Auto Parts Boxcar ICC All Configurations Caboose ACF 4600 3-Bay CenterFlow Hopper 5161 cu ft Trinity Hopper GATC 2600 Airslide Hopper 89' F89F Flat Car 89' F89F Auto Rack Flat Car 57' FGE Mechanical Reefer 13,600 Gallon NACC Acid Tank Car 50' GATC 20,000 Gallon Tank Car 33,900 Gallon LPG Tank Car TankTrain Tank Car

Passenger Cars with Factory Knuckle Couplers

Passenger Cars with Factory Knuckle Couplers Conversion

#148

#5 (NO.5®)
#28, #58
or
#118, #119, #158

77' Chair Car

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.