IHC 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		#27
0-4-0 Switcher		#34 Pilot and Tender	#144 Pilot and Tender in a #252 Gearbox
0-8-0 Switcher	#148	#5 (NO.5®)	#28, #58 or #118, #119, #158
2-6-0 Mogul (Mehano)		#38 Pilot #27 Tender	#148 Pilot in a #252 Gearbox
2-6-0 Mogul (Mehano - Slovenia)		#38 Pilot #38 Truck Mount Tender #28 Truck Mount Tender	#148 Pilot in a #252 Gearbox
2-6-0 Camelback Mother Hubbard		#26 Pilot #28 Tender Talgo Type
2-8-0 Consolidation (Mehano - Slovenia)	#148 Tender	#39 Pilot #5 Tender	#149 Pilot in a #252 Gearbox
2-8-2 Mikado		#38 Pilot #27 Tender	#148 Pilot in a #252 Gearbox
4-4-0 American (Mehano)		#29 Pilot #28 Tender
4-4-0 American (Slovenia)		#29 Pilot #28 Tender
4-6-2 Pacific (Mehano)		#38 Pilot #27 Tender	#148 Pilot in a #252 Gearbox
4-6-2 Pacific (Slovenia)	#148 Tender	#31 Pilot #5 Tender	#141 Pilot in a #252 Gearbox
4-6-4 Hudson	#148 Tender	#36 Pilot #5 Tender	#146 Pilot in a #252 Gearbox
4-8-2 Mountain	#148 Tender	#36 Pilot #5 Tender	#146 Pilot in a #252 Gearbox
ALCO C-415		#33	#143 in a #252 Gearbox
ALCO C-628		#29 Truck Mount
EMD E-8/9 A and B Units (Mehano - Slovenia)		#26 Pilot #27 Rear
SD-24		#38
EMD SD-35		#23
EMD SD-40		#22
GG-1 Electric		#37	#147 in a #252 Gearbox
GG-1 Electric (New Production)		#27
MDT Switcher (Mehano)		#31	#141 in a #252 Gearbox
Center Cab Switcher (Mehano)		#27
Thunder Bolt Set (Mehano) SD-40 Loco		#22
Thunder Bolt Set Cars		#28
Crane Car and Boom Tender (Mehano)		#28 Truck Mount #22 Body Mount
Log Car (Buggy)	#148	#5 (NO.5®)	#28, #58 or #118, #119, #158
Freight Cars	#148 Truck Mount in a #212 Talgo Adapter	#27 Truck Mount #28 Truck Mount	#147 in a #212 Talgo Truck Adapter
(New) Old Time Freight Cars (Mehano)	#148	#5 (NO.5®)	#28, #58 or #118, #119, #158
Heavyweight Passenger Cars 6 Wheel Trucks		#505
Heavyweight Passenger Cars 4 Wheel Trucks		#508
Tavern Lounge or Observation - Truck Mount As Above - Dummy Coupler End		#38	#148 or #158 in a #252 Gearbox
Passenger Car Truck, (Mehano) 6 Wheel Die Cast Metal (After Market)		#505

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.