I'm looking at a switcher and am wondering, does this mean the couplers don't work?
My couplers are almost all Micro-Trains medium Magnet-Matic couplers.
https://www.trainworld.com/manufacturers/model-train-specials/specials-n-scale/specials-engines-3/spetrum-n-scale-ge-44-ton-diesel-switcher-dcc-on-board-painted-unlettered-yellow-81851/
Often on the front of steamers in the hobby (by no means is this universal, just on some brands and levels of details/cost), a non-functioning coupler is just a molded piece of plastic meant to look like a working coupler from a distance. You can shove things with them, especially up a grade, but it's hard to get Kadees and McHenry types to glad-hand with them.
It's a cast-plastic version of a coupler head, precise to dimensions (usually in the closed-knuckle position). Some of these will couple to 'scale' knuckle-style couplers; some won't. I doubt the action of most Magne-Matic' couplers would work with most dummy scale couplers without some tinkering and/or modification. They should mate with each other fairly consistently (if accurate to scale).
i am not sure why, if I read the post correctly, someone would put these on both ends of a switcher intended for operation.
Is there such a thing as an operating dummy coupler?
The picture DOES appear to show dummy couplers.
I think the most likely explanation is that they leave it to the modeler to install "couplers of his/her choice".
In pre-NMRA X2f days, some kits came with dummy couplers. As opposed to supplying two of every kind available.
Ed
Back in the day, many modelers were not so much into switching, and one of the coupler choices was dummy couplers.
A number of brands supplied them with their kits. The rolling stock on my first layout had them until I converted to Kadee.
In that application the couplers swing from side to side, but have no centering springs, and cars are coupled/uncoupled by simply lifting the car and sliding one coupler into the other.
Varney, Athearn, Walthers and list of others included them for many years.
Cal Scale from Bowser still has brass ones that will fit in the common coupler pocket today.
I still have a bunch of them..........
Sheldon
In HO, Accurail makes dummy couplers whose head is almost exactly the same size as a Kadee No.5. I think they list them as being for unit tank trains, but I use on Walthers ore cars - groups of four cars connect to each other with the dummy couplers, but the "outside" two cars have a Kadee on one side so each group of four is switched as a group.
maxman Is there such a thing as an operating dummy coupler?
You mean like a powered dummy locomotive, or a moving still-life painting? Jumbo shrimp, military intelligence ... all the other fun with oxymorons. 'Dummy' means it doesn't operate...
Yes, 'non-operating dummy' is redundant, in my opinion.
The early issues of the N scale Bachmann 44 ton had dummy couplers. They were later offered with MTL compatable working coupelrs.
Link on EBAY with MTL compatable "E-Z Mate" operating couplers https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-Industries-GE-44-Tons-DCC-Equipped-Switcher-Painted-Unlettered-Train/202133422828?epid=1120012732&hash=item2f101742ec:g:JCUAAOSwUMVaIuJb
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
A lot of kits came with them back starting in the 50's..over the yrs. a lot of kits had them in different shank designs. square to fit in coupler pocket so they would not move and some with a round ring designed to be used with a centering spring, which all the Athearn multi-packs had. I have a few 5-car hopper sets that came with them. (at least the ones I have are...they were not RTR) These were meant to use a centering spring and would couple with a Kadee scale #58 coupler. The knuckle's were the same size. Would save You money for a 30/40 car train that you would not normally uncouple all the time.
The couplers in foreground are Kadee #58 and dummy:
Athearn multi-packs:
https://www.trainworld.com/manufacturers/athearn/ready-to-roll-ho-scale/athearn-athearn-freight-car-multi-pack-1/athearn-79639-bethgon-coalporter-w-load-csxt-1-5-cars/
Take Care!
Frank
BLI provided a dummy coupler with their Reading T1, I was able to modify the coupler to mate with a Sergent E-type coupler. All that was required was a little filing on the knuckle and a few other spots.
Every Athearn Genesis 2-8-2 Mikado I have came with a dummy front coupler. I was very disappointed that a relatively new production loco, from the top of Athearn's line had a dummy front coupler.
Jeff White
Alma, IL
Thing is, with those pointy cowcatcher thingy's, the curvy wire that sticks out the bottom of couplers these days can't engage the coupler anyway. So, if you can't use it, why not have one that looks more real.
Now, with a Sergent, that's not a problem.
7j43k Thing is, with those pointy cowcatcher thingy's, the curvy wire that sticks out the bottom of couplers these days can't engage the coupler anyway. So, if you can't use it, why not have one that looks more real. Now, with a Sergent, that's not a problem. Ed
I've bought a number of kits that came with the dummy couplers. I've never used them in any of my rolling stock. The only reason I keep them is to maybe paint them a rust color and use them to put in an engine shop or in a gondola.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983