HO Couplers

[Anonymous]

I am new to the model railroading scene and I was wondering who makes the best couplers. The train set I bought was a Bachmann. I have since bought a rail car at a train show and the couplers don't match up. The coupler that came with the rail car was the same as the ones I had as a kid (which was a tyco set from about 1980) I have also noticed already that the couplers I have seem to come uncoupled more frequently than I would like. Any help on picking out the best couplers for me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
model railroading newbie

[Anonymous]

Hi,
Personally I think the #5 kadee couplers work the best. I have them on almost all of my cars and engines.

[Anonymous]

I agree. Kadees work best for me also. I've tried them all and the old reliable #5 always seems to come out on top. That being said, I think coupler set-up on each piece is even more important than what coupler you use. Getting little or no vertical play, the knuckle at the proper height, and the trip pin adjusted for the right clearance makes all the difference.

Terry (Ohio)

[Anonymous]

There are seven different knuckle couplers on the market, mostly clones.
IMO, the superior coupler is the Kadee coupler who makes couplers for forty different applications.
The most popular is the KD #5,then the 58 which is closer to scale and then the 78.
To read up on the 58 go to
http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/001/551lytafb.asp

Kadee also has a coupler conversion list for all those hundreds of cars and locos.
www.kadee.com/conv/list.htm

Also by going to www.kadee.com under product 1-79
just click on any of the coupler #s, such as the #5 and up pops an exploded view, description/instructions.

You should also get a coupler height gauge,# 205
just click on the # and also a trip pin pilers, #237

Ask, we all can help you. We all went thru this.

Happy railroading.

[Anonymous]

i just wanted to thank all of you for your comments and to any yet to come. I appreciate the help. This forum appears to contain a vast knowledge of model railroading being shared, which is refreshing to someone just starting out. Altough you learn from your mistakes it is nice if you can do it right the first time. Note to charles i am also from the grand rapids area.

[Anonymous]

Got to get together. A little show & tell goes a long way.

[e-mail]
Off 44th & KZ

[Anonymous]

i lived in that area this last spring when i moved down here. it was off 44th and breton. i am now off ada drive west of ada.

[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

I know the area. Have been helping a senior citizen resurrect his HO set made for the Lionel Company. He's off of Ada Dr and that new Clements
Mill Dr area.

[Anonymous]

i know the area, i am live in clements mill subdivision