Kadee Couplers: #5's or #58's

[Anonymous]

I'm just getting back into the hobby after being out for 10 or so years (since I was a kid).

I just bought a Kadee coupler height gauge, and it came with a #5 and a #58 coupler. Why would everyone not convert over to the #58's? They're smaller, and I assume work just as well.

Also, are people really still using magnetic uncoupling ramps? I'm thinking about going with #58's, and chopping off the metal "air hose" on all of my equipment.

One last question: Are the #5's compatible with the #58's? A local hobbyshop owner told me there are, but I haven't tested them myself yet - still need to put them on cars.

[bsteel4065]

The #58 is a smaller version of the #5 to be more prototypical. The old #5's are quite large in scale terms. As we are becoming more demanding with scale sizing so Kadee brought out the #58. I've only got #5's and haven't tried #58's but they should be compatible, I would be surprised if they were not. I wouldn't chop off the air hose. They are an integral part of the uncoupling if you use a magnetic uncoupler. If you want any more info, then go to www.kadee.com
Hope this helps.

[dekemd]

The #5s will work just fine with the #58s

[bsteel4065]

Hi kevlar9296 ... have a look on the MR web site (where we are now) under

Modelling ...
Maintenance ..
Fine tuning HO knuckle couplers.

Could be helpful too.

[Anonymous]

If your track is not perfectly level, you may have vertical problems using both
the #5 and the #58 since the #58 has a smaller head.

http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/001/551ytafb.asp

[willy6]

i have coverted to #58's and never had a problem, however i contacted KADEE and they said they do not plan to sell #58's in the BULK pack in the near future.

[rogerhensley]

I have tried the 58s and they work quite well with my 5s. Do I plan to convert my fleet? Oh, my, absolutely not. I have far too many cars and locos using number 5. Will I use the 58s on new stuff? Yes. They look better and work just as well as far as I can tell. I suspect that eventually, most of the equipment that I operate will have the 58s.

[Anonymous]

I use a mixture of these. I plan to convert all my passenger cars to use #58s, but most freight stock will keep the #5s that it was fitted with when built. I have fitted #58s to a few other cars, and they do work ok with #5s, but I'm not sure if they're quite as robust - my equipment travels about a bit in boxes, so it needs solid couplers. I have fitted #58s to Athearn Bombardier Bilevel cars so far - need another 7 packs or so to do my Walthers CNW bilevels, Superliners, and Express Boxcars/MHCs. These will be bought as and when I can afford to do so!