Walthers Proto 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

Locomotives

Any Medium Centerset Coupler

EMD GP7 EMD FP7 EMD F7A EMD F7B EMD GP9 Phase II EMD GP9 Phase II High Short Hood

Freight Cars

Any Medium Centerset Coupler

Jordan Spreader Russell Snowplow - 89' Thrall Enclosed Tri-Level Auto Carrier 89' Thrall Bi-Level Auto Carrier 50' Evans Cushion Coil Car 56' Thrall All-Door Boxcar - 55' Evans 4780 Covered Hopper -

Passenger Cars

Any Medium Centerset Coupler

Passenger Cars
with a double swing gearbox
without an attached gearbox lid.

 

63' Railway Post Office 74' Baggage Car 74' Pullman-Standard Baggage Car 74' Pullman-Standard Steam Generator Car 75' Express Car 85' 10-6 Sleeper 85' 11 Double-Bedroom Sleeper 85' 30-Seat Parlor Car 85' 36-Seat Diner 85' 4-4-2 Sleeper 85' 68-Seat Step-Down Coach (forward seats) 85' 68-Seat Step-Down Coach (reverse seats) 85' ACF 48-Seat Diner 85' ACF Dome Coach 85' ACF Dome Diner 85' Amfleet I 84-Seat Coach 85' Amfleet II 59-Seat Coach 85' Baggage-Dorm Transition Car 85' Budd 10-6 Sleeper 85' Budd 46-Seat Coach 85' Budd 68-Seat Step-Down Coach 85' Budd Big Dome Bar Lounge Dormitory 85' Budd Hi-Level 72-Seat Coach 85' Budd Hi-Level Diner 85' Budd Hi-Level Sky Lounge 85' Budd Pine Series 10-6 Sleeper 85' Hi-Level Diner 85' Hi-Level Sky Lounge 85' Pleasure Dome Bar Lounge 85' P-S Hotevilla 4-4-2 Sleeper 85' P-S Valley 6-6-4 Sleeper 85' Pulllman-Standard Baggage-Dormitory Transition Car 85' Pullman-Standard 36-Seat Diner 85' Pullman-Standard Indian Series 11-double Bedroom Sleeper 85' Pullman-Standard Pleasure Dome Bar Lounge 85' Pullman-Standard Regal Series 4-4-2 Sleeper 85' Pullman-Standard Super Dome 85' Skytop Lounge Rapids Series

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.