These cars a best judged at end sills, even though at close distances, the strikers are very evident.
USING CAD DRAWINGS a thorough evaluation is made.
First the car must be measured. The striker to end sill reference is .032" = 2.787", while the common prototype distance is 4 1/2". The coupler box front is .104" behind the striker. The striker to post front is .204" and the post OD = .118" for striker to mounting center = .202". The box is .415" long.
Found from Measuring Couplers, the 5 pulling face to stud rear = .540". The pulling face to mounting center with this box is .540 - .057 = .483". Of note the play between Kadee coupler hole = .132" and post is a very sloppy .014", pointing out the inconsistency of box design.
The heavy line is the end sill reference and the solid line to the right is the model striker.
Based on prototype data, at the bottom dashed in are inside to the left at 1 1/8" for plate and sheathing . and to the right at 4 1/2"is the striker. The far right dashed line is the pulling face at 15" from the striker. The prototype pulling face to reference is 19 1/2" for 39" separation.
Note: Adjust brightness and contrast for optimum viewing.
KADEE 5 WITH 43.55" SPACING
The pulling face to reference = .250" = 21.78" for 43.55" spacing or 4.55" too wide.The striker is .041643" = 3.627" less than the prototype. The box front is .062" behind the prototype striker distance.
Since the pulling face to striker = .192, to achieve prototype spacing, only the Accumate Pro can be mounted
Note: Adjust brightness and contrast for optimum viewing.
ACCUMATE PRO WITH 43.875" PROTOTYPE SPACING
After removing the center post, the Accumate Pro box can be slid in. The striker to mounting center = .159". Since The coupler box front is only .009" beyond the striker. the box lip must be removed.
The same technique can be used with other flats by measuring the striker to endsill distance. Due to design inconsistencies, they vary drastically.
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