BLI Class A pilot coupler

Well, I got a KD coupler working in the pilot, but I don't know what I used.

It is an old style KD, one with an indent on the back of the shank for a small spiral centering spring, a tiny brad for the pivot, and a straight pin for the uncoupling pin. I removed the straight pin. It is a little loose in the swing mount and droops a little. I will have to work on shimming it up. I also had to grind the back of the shank down a little so it would fit in the swing mount. The pin to hold the mount and coupler fit quite nicely and is snug. The only drawback to this is that the coupler can not be closed up behind the pilot, and there is no way to center the coupler.

Ah well, at least it is a live coupler.

Sounds like the K-4. Today you can get the MKD-4 with the same shank and the curved uncoupling oin.

TTX had some information about a M1 coupler that might help.

Thanks for the link, but the set up is very different.

I hope that BLI re-thinks to put active couplers on the pilots of their steam engines.

Frank,

BLI is indeed rethinking things about pilot couplers. The Union Pacific

4-8-2 they are bringing out is listed as having an operating coupler on the pilot.

Bob Rule, Jr. Hatboro, Pa.

4-8-2 they are bringing out is listed as having an operating coupler on the pilot.< I think the others are to far along in the production phase to change now!

I take it all back as on the BLI site it states the ATSF 3751 will have an operating front coupler!