kadee coupler problem

[gabbyhayes]

Have mounted KD's to some aristocraft wagons.   The distance between them when coupled is 4Ft (1:29)   Is that too far apart?   They look ok coupled.    Had to put spacers in as well to get the correct height and i think i have bought the couplers out too far.  What should the correct distance be?

Gabby Hayes

[cacole]

I usually try to match the Kadee coupler distance to the ones that I'm replacing.  How far they should stick out depends on how tight the curves are on your layout, too.

[tangerine-jack]

Much of what we do in the world of Garden Railroading depends on your point of view.  If you are a scale nut, then no, 4ft won't do.  If you are not a scale nut, then 4ft is OK if it "looks right", not OK if it doesn't.  As was pointed out, there is a compromise of your minimum radius, it doesn't matter how they look if they don't work!

KaDees, at least in G world, are very forgiving with tolerances.  Shim as required to get them to work, but don't worry so much about the last  Nth of a millimeter of adjustment, it won't matter.

In the end, you, and you alone, are the only one that can determine what is best or right for you. 

[gabbyhayes]

Don't know if i'm doing this right but thanks gang for the answers.   As was suggested they look right then they are.   the test will be when i get them running i guess.

Gabby hayes

[Marty Cozad]

I used to try to set the cars closer, but as time goes on and I see 1:1 trains with lots of space between them. I gave up worry about it as long as they work good.

[Greg Elmassian]

Gabby, you did not state if you used a truck mount or body mount. Since you did not mention shimming the draft gear box, which is necessary on Aristo cars, I'm assuming you went truck mounts.

If you just removed the original coupler and mounted the Kadee to the existing tang, it will be way too long. Cut the end of the tang off flush with the larger part, drill a new hole, and I think you have a good compromise between close coupling and clearances required for model curves.

I went all body mounts, and then mounting the coupler box flush with the end of the car body gives a nice prototypical look. Need about 10' diameter min radius to keep cars from hitting each other.

Regards, Greg 

[gabbyhayes]

Greg

I did them body mount but had to shim them to get the right height to the gauge.   I think where I went wring was bring the shims too far foward.   As I said though they look alright as they are and won't know for sure until I can run them.   I am looking at at least 8ft (more if i can obtain it) radius - maybe more.

Gabby hayes