Coupler brand preference?

[Anonymous]

Wondering what brand of couplers members of this forum prefer? And why?
Also do you use an automatic uncoupler or do do it manually? Do you use body mounted or truck mounted?

[Marty Cozad]

I started using body mount because I back long trains into the shop for storage . Plus I have large curves and the Kadee #830s set the cars closer so they look better. Plus I sell the stock couplers $1 each to others who like them. Thus cuts my cost on Kadees. I order a few couplers when ordering other itmes so they can be put in the box with the car. Thus saves shipping.
I cut my wire hanging down cause it looks better with out and if I do switching I use long screw driver cause I am there with the car anyway.
Roofer Marty

[Anonymous]

I'll have some comment on this on Friday, when my first set comes in.

[TonyWalsham]

I use body mounted USA Trains® knuckle couplers.
They are cheap and readily mate with Bachmann®, Delton® and Lionel®.

Depending on the height they are set they will also couple with LGB® and some Kadee's

They will not match with AC® which I don't like because AC® couplers (and some Bachmann®) do not handle backing trains very well.

My preferences have the capabilty of "pulling the pin" just like in the prototype so I use hand operated cut bars.

Tony Walsham (RCS).

[smcgill]

My fleet uses K-dee truck mounted.
My 1:29 scale has them,along with my 1:20 scale.
I use the magnet to uncouple.

[Anonymous]

Hi
My trains currently have LGB style couplings YUK!! they work well but the ants keep moving in too the manual uncoupling ramps and the LGB syle coupling look terrible.
So I am going over to 16mm scale center buffer and three link chain for passanger coaches and link and pin with steel pins for the freight wagons I can get localy made ones cheaper than any other brand of realistic looking coupling.
regards John

[vsmith]

Using B-mann knuckles and some Link and Pin. There cheap plentifull and only need a little modification to mount.

As time goes on I see myself going to L&P exclusively but not just yet!

[jebouck]

I use body mounted KD 830's on all my rolling stock. They couple securely, look good, and perform as the real prototype.[^][^]
My locos use various KD's as to difference in mounting methods. I uncouple with a long flat bladed screwdriver.
John

[Anonymous]

smcgill Posted: Today, 05:35:55
My fleet uses K-dee truck mounted.
My 1:29 scale has them,along with my 1:20 scale.
I use the magnet to uncouple.

Smcgill, are your magnets electro or bar type you just pull cars over slowly to have them uncouple?

[bman36]

Hi all,
So far it's Bachmann and Aristo truck mounted. Haven't decided which one i want to standardize with yet. Probably Bachmann since I plan to install the cut bars. Then I'll make a simple tool so I can pull the pin while standing. I enjoy doing things manually. After hand bombing off a trailer load of freight at McD's I don't feel like bending over too much! Later eh...Brian.

[smcgill]

They are the dohickies that stick to the track and the aristo track cleaner pulls up! [}:)]
They consist of two magnets and two pieces of metal(I dont know why) I just glue down the first mag. and the second sits on it.(Hot Glue)
You then slowwwwwly move the cars over and they uncouple ( I hit the train engineer's reverse button)
I like them because you can put them on any piece of track. then move them if you like.
I take the top mag. of when running track cleaner.

[wallyworld]

Some years ago I retrofitted all of my equipment to LGB because it was painless and they are reliable. If you are into a more prototypical look, they may not be your cup of tea.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I wi***hat all the manufacturers would agree to supply a standard coupler to their products and that they supplied them with either hook & loop fitted with knuckles to transfer to or vice versa. Any body going down the kadee, loop & pin route could go on from there. It ain't rocket science - or is it??
Cheers,
Kim

[Anonymous]

I guess so far I like Smgill's set up kadee's with moveable magnets. Has anyone else tried this?

[Anonymous]

Our line uses Bachmann & K-D couplers; haven't decided on a standard. Our daughter uses the hook & loop on her Toon Town Train.

I have several sets of AMERICAN FLYER replacement couplers (these are not "S" scale) that I will be evaluating over the summer. The AF couplers are about the same size as the K-D.
Go to the F.Y.I. thread and take a look at them full size.
I'll let you know what I think of them a little later on this summer.

OLD DAD

[BudSteinhoff]

Started out with Aristo knuckle couplers and now have over 120 mixed mfg. cars and 20 various loco's equipped with them.
They are a little large but they work and stay connected.
Also reasonably priced.
Bud[8D]

[Anonymous]

Old Dad, I already have a AF couplers they are attached to my AF trains though.[:D]

[Anonymous]

Hi Matt; My concern with the AF couplers is the draft gear box....will the centering springs and coupler shank hold up on the larger and heavier "G" equipment.
What would be your educated guess?

[Anonymous]

Old Dad, Other than the UV light question I would say yes. My couplers are original and ave taking abuse from coupling quite hard ( kId operators) and alot of Af cars are heavy like my metal Budd Dome passenger cars.