Micro Ace tank steam loco MT conversions

> main > modeller's corner > couplers > Micro Ace > E10 tank loco

Micro Ace E10 tank loco (steam)

Skill level: Very high!

Coupler used: MT1129

Conversion by: Phil Hendry

A wonderful model of the famous E10 banking loco, but very hard to convert to MT couplers. Phil Hendry managed to do so, but it was a tough job.

The result of the hard work

In the preparation stage of this conversion, Phil discovered that this conversion will be a tough one, he ended up in building a new coupler pocket attached to the loco's coal bunker. It is well possible that there are other ways to put an MT-coupler to this locomotive.

I scratchbuilt a new coupler pocket (very tricky to do!), into which I fitted a #1129, and glued the assembly  to a block glued inside the bunker on the loco, making sure it was not going to foul the wheels on curves (the old coupler pocket has to be removed from the trailing truck before fitting).

It works well, but the overhang (i.e. distance from centre of rearmost driving wheel to coupler face) is large (approx 35mm!!!), so though it couples and uncouples perfectly reliably, it tends to derail the leading car on moderately tight curves (less than 12"/300mm).  It looks a little odd too (but no worse to my eyes than a standard Rapido coupler!), sticking out at the rear of the loco. I haven't put the paint on yet, but I expect it'll look a lot better once I do.

Rear view of MT-fitted Micro Ace E10 tank loco. Some black paint will be needed to make the coupler pocket less visible.

Back to the Micro Ace MT conversions

Modelling Layouts Modeller's Corner Train Simulators Various