009 Porter Loco by Koala Creek

Here is how I fitted working buckeye couplers to my Porter, that are compatible with Microtrains ones. Trying to fit actual Microtrains couplers would require major surgery to the end beams, so as an alternative I used some Dapol N gauge magnetic couplings.
http://dapol.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path =177_62_154_197
I've used the medium length ones, as that's what I had. They need to be modified to fit into the model as below.


The link and pin couplers on the model need to be modified as follows. Remove the centre part carefully, without breaking the other two parts. Remove some of the material that was behind this part, to create room for the modified coupler to fit. The idea is that a brass rod inserted through the holes will hold the coupler in place. If necessary file the coupler to shape to fit.


I used a piece of 0.5mm brass rod, with some gel super glue (CA) to keep the coupler straight.


These photos show it working with a Microtrains 1015 fitted vehicle.

Some other tips.
Paint the motor and flywheel black, it then looks like the firebox.
Fill the saddle tank with lead, it's mostly hollow.
I also filled the cylinders with 'fluid lead' , before fitting covers made from some thin plastic.