Tender Coupler
As shown in a previous article, I installed a Micro-Trains N-scale coupler on the tender before. However, my fleet standard is Z-scale couplers, so while I was working on this locomotive I figured I'd upgrade the coupler at the same time. The N-scale coupler was installed with Walthers Goo, which made it easy to remove the previous coupler. A bit too easy, I think.

The first thing to do is to check the tender frame's rail height against the Micro-Trains gauge to make sure that the coupler will wind up sitting at the right height. It was a perfect match.



There appeared to be a slight lip at the end of the underbody, so I filed it down to provide a smooth, flat surface against which to mount the coupler.



Using a small drill bit and a tap, I made a hole at the right location for the coupler.



The next two photos show the coupler installed from below and from above. The screw does show a bit on the top, but a bit of black paint will hide that.





The coupler in action.



Front Coupler
I also wanted to install a working coupler on the front of this locomotive. After careful studying, it turned out to be very easy to do with the Micro-Trains Z-scale coupler. The first photo shows the original parts, the dummy Kato coupler. The line drawn on the photograph points to the part that needs to be popped off the pilot deck. Once that's done, the dummy coupler can be removed.



The next photo shows the top and bottom view of the pilot deck with the coupler installed. I had to glue a thin piece of styrene (transparent) to provide an even surface for mounting the coupler. I carefully drilled a hole just behind the grill.