What are Kadee Couplers?

[Anonymous]

I've seen these mentioned from time to time. I assume that these are the top-of-the line couplers? I've never actually seen them before, and for them to cost extra compared to the reular type couplers they seem like a great value.

[tschmidt]

Also, is it hard to change them over and are they expensive?

TomS

[Roger Bielen]

They are a brand of coupler that are true scale rather than the oversized normal Lionel type. Kadee is dominant in the HO scale with the O-scale being a larger version, I believe they are used mainly in the 2 rail O-scale branch of the hobby.

[Roger Bielen]

P.S. They are also body mounted rather than truck mounted. Therefore if a car is not pre-made to accept the coupler some modification is probably required. With being body mounted they also require larger radius curves.

I don't know the cost involved.

[Anonymous]

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page177.htm

[IRONROOSTER]

Kadee couplers are scale and semi scale knuckle couplers that have a simulated air hose that hangs down from the coupler. When the couplers are postioned over a magnet with slack action the air hoses are pulled to either side opening the knuckles and allowing uncoupling to take place. When open the couplers can be pushed together in the open the position. This allows the locomotive to pu***he car to a desired location and then pull away leaving the car behind.

Price depends upon the scale - about $2.95 for two pair in HO.

If body mounted they are not compatible with the sharp curves used in toy trains but should work with O72 curves if the cars aren't too long. If truck mounted and extended from the body they can be used on sharper curves. Some high railers have used them.

You can change over fairly easily if you body mount them. I don't think they can be easily truck mounted with Lionel trucks.

Visit Kadee's site http://www.kadee.com/ for more info.

Enjoy
Paul

[tschmidt]

Thanks for the info.

TomS