HO couplers closer to scale

[dknelson]

Most of my trains have the standard Kadee #5 coupler, with a scattering of #4s, #6s, #8s, etc.
What is the experience of those who have tried to closer to scale couplers from Kadee and others -- do they really mate well with the older Kadees (which are close to S scale in size)? Or would I pretty much need to convert the whole collection to have smooth operation?
Dave Nelson

[Sperandeo]

Hi Dave,

I've been using Kadee no. 58s and now no. 78s on my new freight cars, but I haven't yet converted all of my older cars to the scale-size couplers. The scale couplers couple with and uncouple from the older couplers with the same reliability as the older couplers show when working with each other. The gathering range on curves is somewhat less with the scale couplers because of their smaller size, and I expect them to be more sensitive to correct mounting height because their knuckles aren't as tall. I haven' t seen any problems with that so far, but I do my best to get all my couplers mounted at the correct height.

so long,

Andy Sperandeo
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine

[BentnoseWillie]

I now use the Kadee #58 that on all new installations. Older cars gets #58's as they get serviced, and #5's I take out are "cascaded" onto cars with plastic knuckle couplers.

Mounting height is critical with the #58. I limit vertical play with a shim across the bottom of the draft gear box. That helps, though it takes somie fiddling to get the coupler height stable without increasing swing resistance.

I have a 5.5% grade on my layout, and nothing's come uncoupled yet!

Coupled solidly, I remain:
BentnoseWillie

[rogerhensley]

I use the Kadee 58s on all new cars and have had no problem mating them with the rest of the fleet using Kadee 5, etc. I tried other couplers and pulled them and returned to Kadee. Yes, I always work to get the couplers at the correct height. Perhaps that's why I've had no problems with the 58s.

I can't speak to other 'scale' or 'near scale' couplers. Kadee works well for me.

Roger

Roger Hensley – [e-mail]
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