McHenry Couplers

Technical Notes

Many have requested a compatibility listing for McHenry Couplers; however, the different types of HO scale rolling stocking and unique applications available over the years makes it virtually impossible to develop a comprehensive list. In addition, manufacturers make minor kit modifications or change the trucks from kit to kit which make lists obsolete as the recommended coupler no longer fits. The standard McHenry Coupler is compatible the NMRA style draft box which incorporates a 1/8" mounting pin. The #1 and #51 McHenry couplers are standard size and are available with either a plastic leaf spring (#1) or a metal coil spring (#51) for the knuckle return. The scale size #41 coupler with metal coil spring also conforms to the standard dimensions of the NMRA draft gear. The "C" spring centering system used on McHenry Couplers works in virtually all applications and eliminates the need for the different centering spring designs used by other manufacturers.

To adapt McHenry Couplers to your model, start by mounting a standard coupler (#1, 51 or 41) to your rolling stock and observing if it is too high, too short, etc. and then select the coupler that best compensates the differences. For example, you have a car with excessive shank protruding from the draft box and the knuckle sits higher than the rest of your cars. To fix this, use a short shank coupler with a lowered head.

The following is a listing of all the critical dimensions for McHenry Couplers.

Shank length measured from the center of the mounting hole to the back of the coupler head:

Short 0.245"

Standard 0.285"

Long 0.385"

Head position:

Raised Shank is 0.045" below center line effectively raising coupler head.

Lowered Shank is 0.045" above center line effectively lowering coupler head.

The Rivarossi/IHC couplers are specialty couplers designed to be direct snap-in replacements for the truck mounted couplers supplied by these manufactures. The coupler will also fit Con-Cor coaches; although, the Con-Cor mounting pin is slightly smaller.

Shank length measured from the center of the mounting hole to the back of the coupler head for the specialty Rivarossi/IHC couplers; there are no height variations:

#52 Most 4-wheel trucks and Con-Cor 85' coaches 1.238"

#53 Most 6-wheel trucks, 4-wheel RPO and baggage and Con-Cor 72' coaches 0.908"

#54 6-wheel RPO and baggage coaches 0.685"

#56 Most locomotives and rolling stock, will not fit Heisler or close couple E-units 0.484"

McHenry couplers can be adapted to older Life-Like, Mantua, Bachmann and Model Power rolling stock which have the couplers mounted to the trucks using a 1/16" mounting pin. McHenry Couplers have a 1/8" mounting hole which makes a very sloppy fit. This is easily corrected by making a bushing from 1/8" OD plastic tube by Evergreen or Plastruct. Use a single edge razor blade and slice off a 1/16" long section of tube, place it over the pin and mount the coupler ... simple, effective and cheap! Most cars will use the #41 or #51 coupler.

Raised	Shank is 0.045" below center line effectively raising coupler head.
Lowered	Shank is 0.045" above center line effectively lowering coupler head.

#52	Most 4-wheel trucks and Con-Cor 85' coaches	1.238"
#53	Most 6-wheel trucks, 4-wheel RPO and baggage and Con-Cor 72' coaches	0.908"
#54	6-wheel RPO and baggage coaches	0.685"
#56	Most locomotives and rolling stock, will not fit Heisler or close couple E-units	0.484"