Probably the most common group of freight cars, these cars come close to prototype close coupling.
USING CAD DRAWINGS a thorough evaluation is made.
First the car must be measured. The striker to end corner reference is .038" = 3.310", while the common prototype distance is 6 15/16". The coupler box front is .0.020" behind the striker. The box front to post front is .184" and the post OD = .113" for box front to mounting center = .241". 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 .019", pointing out the inconsistency of box design.
The heavy line is the end corner reference (end sheet) 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 6 15/16"is the striker. The far right dashed line is the pulling face at 15" from the striker. The prototype pulling face to reference is 21 15/16" for 43 7/8" separation.
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KADEE 5 WITH 45.12" SPACING
The striker is .041643" = 3.627" less than the prototype. The box front is .062" behind the prototype striker distance. The pulling face to striker = .214" 18.64", which will accept any common drop-in knuckle . The pulling face to reference = .259" = 22.561" for 45.12" spacing or 1.246" too wide. This may be an acceptable tolerance.
If the center post were 1/8" as in the Kadee box, the pulling face to reference would be a very close .252" = 22.08" for 44.16" spacing, or .285" too wide. None of the ring adapters by Kadee or Bowser fit post.
The Kadee 23 will provide too close coupling.
To achieve prototype spacing, a ring may be cut from a strip of .006" brass shim. The post may be removed and a cut down Kadee lid may be screwed in place with box end to mounting center = .244".
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KADEE 5 WITH 43.875" PROTOTYPE SPACING
With a horn to striker clearance of .019", some light beveling of striker may be required for sharper curves. If you have a large number of these cars, the latter would be a lot of unnecessary work for so little gain.
After removing center post, Accumate Pro can be mounted easily.
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ACCUMATE PRO WITH 43.875" PROTOTYPE SPACING
The Athearn box end to mounting center = .137", while the AP box will extend .031" = 2.70" beyond the striker. The striker to mounting center = .117"
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