Old HO Coupler Conversion

[jakell]

Hello, all. I'm new here!
I'm very beginner, so I apologize ahead of time if I use the wrong terms. Also I've done some google searches and a search of this forum and so far have come up empty.

A couple of years ago, my father brought over some old boxes from storage and in one of them was his train set from the early sixties. The whole story and some pictures can be found here -- http://www.alexandsarra.com/kellblog/?p=620
(I really apologize if running trains around a Christmas tree on the bare floor is horrifyingly cliche to any of you! I'm working towards a real layout, honest!)

My current question is referenced therein. The old train cars have a coupler that looks like this:

And, of course, all newer couplers have that horn-hook dealio. My current solution is to use a little piece of metal wire, but obviously that's not optimal. Any ideas?

[Eastern Roads]

Hmm, I haven't seen those couplers in a Loooonnngg time! (They almost look like Marklins) Getting the different couplers to work together is gonna be a problem. Years ago (back in that time frame- the Sixties) every manufacturer had a different type of coupler before the NMRA "standard" horn-hook coupler came into use.
If you look at the new RR cars, they use couplers that look like the prototype. So there's basically two types of couplers common today, as opposed to forty+ years ago, when there were like seven different kinds out there.

So in answer to your question- To make the cars couple together using different couplers.....is gonna be a trick! I've seen where some guys will put one kind of coupler on one end of the car, and another on the other end. (A transition car.) Hooking them together as they are and being compatible isn't going to happen.

Your other option is to change out the couplers and make them all the same for your RR, or...Take the oldies and put them up on a shelf for display like I did my old stuff.

In regards to your other comment about running trains on the floor. Well, hey, you have to start somewhere, and the floor works fine if that's all you have. Not everyone in the world is a "Pro" with a hobby that requires learning and doing to make it look GOOD.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

[jakell]

Thanks for the reply!
They are Mantua trains from, I believe, 1962, or thereabouts. The passenger cars are Streamline 509s and one 507. Maybe, it's a little hard to tell.
Here's a link that talks about them a little.
Streamline Passenger Cars (Lost trains section at the bottom)
Here are some pics of the actual cars:
Flickr Photo Download: StreamlineCoaches
Here's a box and brochure:
Flickr Photo Download: MantuaBoxBrochure

I looked into removing and replacing them, but they're not screwed on. More like riveted? And it's all one piece. I can't just slide out the old coupler and snap a new one in. As you say, I may have to leave these as museum pieces and pick up something new. I like the transition car idea. Maybe I can pick up a generator car or something that wouldn't look too out of place and doctor up the couplers.

[domiluk]

If I were you I'd put then on a shelf and save them they might be worth some money if they are 1960 that make them antiques and 40 some years old.

[ThoroughBreed]

I have a pair of SRR cars like those, with the paper insert inside it with the light bulb and real moving doors. I thought they were riveted on also, but mine had screws in it and I replaced the upper portion of the coupler box with a kadee box and put #5's on them. I don't know if you can do the same, but thats what I did.

[Puppyfang]

There is a tyco fourm that you may have better luck at how to convert those or the best to do with them, they are old mantua's and these folks know those cars well at tyco came out of mantua... they maybe able to help you out... I have some very old manuta that I just display from the early 60's, they are slowly increasing in value to some collectors, and are worth more as is... there is the site... Tyco Collector's Forum to the Tyco Trains Collector's Forum[/url] hope this helps...Garret "the fanged one"

[jakell]

Thanks, Puppyfang. I read through those links, but decided to leave those particular cars as-is. I did, however, buy a truck kit thingy and converted one of the old boxcars to go from Kadee to the old couplers. Thanks for that suggestion, Eastern Roads. It works great!
I still have the original trucks in case I ever want to change it back. At this point, it's just swapping out a screw.

[Eastern Roads]

Jakell, I'm glad I was able to help out. Have fun with them! It's a little more nostalgic when you know how old they are.