coupler upgrades

[DSalsberry]

Could anyone help me with upgrading my couplers. There are so many to choose from. My cars and locos are by vaious manufacturers. In H.O. Scale is there one brand (i.e.) kadee, mchenry, that will serve my needs and which model would that be. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

You can't go wrong with the KD's.
They have been around for 30+ years
and generally the #5 fits most freight
cars/diesels.
KD produces 40+ different coupler and
hardware sets in both metal & acetal plastic,
conversion kits, shims, washers, coupler height
gauge, trip pin, wheelsets and uncouplers.

The #5 or the similar #58 may not be applicable
to all equipment and KD has developed the off-set
20-series, 30 series, 40 series and the 452, 453
and 454 to cover those special situations where
the #5 or #58 is not applicable.

KD publishes an HO conversion list and it's also
in the Walther's reference book.
You can also go to
www.kadee.com/conv/list.htm

If you have a MR April 01 edition, you can read up on the new #58 or go to
www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/001/551ytafb.asp
Put you pointer over the coupler picture and CLICK for an enlargement.
Lots of luck.

[DSalsberry]

Thanks for you help Charles. I do have the MR issue you referenced and I'll read it more thorougly. The myriad of choices available made it confusing, but your experience has answered some of my questions.

[Anonymous]

Should you wi***o e-mail KD, go to www.kadee.com
and on the left side, under Company Infor, click on
contact infor and their e-mail form pops up.

You may send it to the attention of Sam Clarke, coupler coversion specialist if you get stuck or can't get an answer from us.

They will bend over backwards,

Happy railroading.

[Anonymous]

I look at the choices this way:
McHenry for most of my equipment, seems the best of the less-expensive types.
KD #58 for those special, super-detailed cars, and locos. I use KD for some special situations that need higher/lower shanks.
A very convincing reason to go with KD all around is coupling on curves. So, I use KD for things that get coupled and uncoupled a lot, like locos and cabooses. I figure the more coupling, the more likely I'll try to couple on a curve, and want the KD. But, that works best if the car you are coupling to also has a Kadee!