Oddly enough, even though I model in N scale, I picked up a set of four of those "scale" Kadee couplers because I just like the way they look. I can't use them on my equipment, of course, but just for the record they will mate with an N scale Micro--Trains coupler. Go figure.
i just posted here, but it somehow got deleted. anyway...
pick one type of coupler and use it to standardize your fleet. IMO, the "standard coupler" for the hobby should be scale size.
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my years of experience have taught me that mixing couplers of any two or more types does not work out well. having begun with the old basic kadee number 5, i have stayed with it. some of the later copies work fairly well but nothing beats the old standby number 5. the kiss of death seems to be when you mix couplers. for instance, the "acu joke" and other johny come lately's have a somewhat weaker centering spring and the magnet tends to pull both couplers to the same side of the centerline so they don't uncouple at all. also, try running into a 25 car cut at anything above scale walking speed and watch the 2 piece plastic couplers split like ripe melons. i tore up enough stuff when i worked on the 12" equals 1' railroad and i don't need that prototypical aspect now. bottom line, what ever type you choose to use, stay with it exclusively if you want consistent, dependable operation. that advice includes the horn hook or nmra style which is consistent in the fact that they seldom work at all and probably drove more people out of this hobby than anything else..
grizlump
trainnut57Has anyone had any problems when attempting to connect one car with the slightly smaller "scale" couplers to the standard KD's, McHenry, E-Z Mate, etc couplers? I have been having trouble not only coupling but uncoupling, either automatically or by use of the 5-fork skycrane method (my hand). I understand the "scale" couplers are more prototypically correct, but the question is are they realy worth the effort when 330 out of 345 freight cars in my growing pool have either Kd"s or other standard couplers. It just seems that the scale couplers do not seat well with the standards or am I doing something wrong
Has anyone had any problems when attempting to connect one car with the slightly smaller "scale" couplers to the standard KD's, McHenry, E-Z Mate, etc couplers? I have been having trouble not only coupling but uncoupling, either automatically or by use of the 5-fork skycrane method (my hand). I understand the "scale" couplers are more prototypically correct, but the question is are they realy worth the effort when 330 out of 345 freight cars in my growing pool have either Kd"s or other standard couplers. It just seems that the scale couplers do not seat well with the standards or am I doing something wrong
The most important thing to check is the height. Check the centerline (top to bottom) of your couplers against the Kadee height gauge.
I hope this helps.
Vernon
Vernon in Central Indiana
I've switched from #5's to #58's as my standard upgrade/replacement couplers. So, I have a mixed bag of these, plus a few crummy plastic knuckleheads which haven't failed yet.
I have no problems with interoperability of #58's and anything else. I do make sure all of my couplers are properly set up with the Kadee coupler gauge. I use mostly magnetic uncoupling, and that works well, too.
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