Question about couplers

[Anonymous]

I'm kinda new to model railroading, and had a quick question. I'm running HO scale on a large shelf layout, see my post in the layout forum....anyway, i'm limited in a few areas and have some extreme change of grades along the line. I can run the train now, pretty long actually with not much trouble, but once in a while, which is way too much for me, the rolling stock will seperate as the train levels from a grade, up or down. Is there a coupler out there that will keep the cars together better? I'm using all Bachmann (?) couplers that are a bit more prototypical, but really dont care if they look accurate, as long as they keep the train together....

any help would be appreciated!

[cacole]

I assume from your statement about extreme change of grades that you mean sudden changes from level running to up or down hill, such as a sudden "kink" at a rail joint. No coupler is going to give good results if your track is like this, especially on long rolling stock where one end tends to raise up or drop down because of the sudden transition. When I first joined a local HO-scale club several years ago, the layout had several areas like this in it, and no amount of re-working or patchwork could cure the problem. We eventually tore the whole thing out and started over. I realize this might not be an option for you, but you may have to resort to at least re-working the grades to eliminate sudden transitions, and make them as smooth as possible.

[Anonymous]

A possible solution would to be trying out the Kadee 20-series couplers
that either raises or lowers the knuckle height on those cars that are problematic.

You need adobe-acrobat reader to open the file.

www.kadee.com/html/20serh.pdf

[Anonymous]

The problem likely is not the grade, but the transition to grade. The couplers will come undone as the angle between the two cars gets too extreme.

The solution is unfortunately to smooth the transition. This requires starting a lower grade sooner and gradually increasing the incline.

[Anonymous]

in addition to the excellent suggestions, you should purchase an official HO GUAGE. these devices have a coupler height guage that checks to see if all your coulplers are at the right level. you may find that some of your couplers need adjustments.

[Anonymous]

As the last post said, Get a height gauge. This was the most useful piece of advice given to me when I started in HO, so I went out and bought the Kadee version. Very easy to use, and also can be used to set the height of the uncoupling magnets.

[Anonymous]

If all else fails:

Duct Tape!

Seriously; I have had similiar problems and have found "jagged" or abrupt changes in track will cause run-a-way trains, with spectacular results!
Nothing worse than 30+ cars tangled in a heap at the bottowm of a grade and stuffed in a tunnel.

Other causes, the coupler, I use Kadee as I have had problems with the plastic ones. And yes a NMRA track guage is a definite must, not only for heignts but also track and tunnel clearances.

[Anonymous]

Go to www.kadee.com and scroll down to "List by product #"

Then scroll down to 80-249 and CLICK

Scroll down to #205 and click on this number for an exploded view of a Coupler height gauge.

Scroll down to #237 and click on this number for an exploded view of a Trip pin piliers.

[Anonymous]

I have a simmilar problem with my sons 11.5" passenger coaches. The only differance is his uncouples when it goes around corners. Have not figured it out yet but the duck tape doesn't sound bad! Him and I both get pretty frustrated!!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the input!

A bit more detail: It is the 'transition'. I used the Woodland Scenics grades, the foam 'ramps' that create the grade. It's a short grade as well, maybe 24" start to the bridge, and then about 18" down the other side. I also noticed the problem starts when you add that one extra freight car! I'm good til about the 10th car or so. I can run the train all day....then add one more boxcar and it's all over :)

I tried supergluing the couplers so they wouldn't open, it worked ALOT better! I am using the Bachmann couplers now, they only have the little piece of plastic that keeps the knuckle closed (?). they just seem a bit weak?

thanks again guys!

[Anonymous]

The bachmann couplers are probably the problem - the springs on these seem a little weak to me. I'd suggest you replace them with Kadees. I fit Kadees to all my freight stock as I build it, and I've never had a problem with uncoupling. Try to use the all-metal Kadees such as the #5s, #58s and #40 series - I suspect these are probably stronger than the plastic versions. Also, you may need a pack of their grey or red washers to adjust the height of your couplers - get a height gauge to make sure you have set the couplers at the correct height.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! that's what I needed to know...i'll look into trying it.