Kadee vs. McHenry Couplers

[bn7026]

I've been using kadees longer than I care to remember - tried others, but always come back to the old #5. Nowadays I don't use the magnetic feature (it's not prototypical anyway) so I also cut off the curved trip pin and use skewers for uncoupling.

[Anonymous]

I've had experience with installing KD's and though I find the coupler spring setup a bit frustrating at times, it's a lot better than unwanted uncouplings that I get regularly from the McHenry's the LHS talked me into getting. (He was out of #5's) I just ordered more 5's so I can quickly put the McHenry's where they belong. In the junk pile next to the freight car repair facility!

[Anonymous]

Stuck on KD's for 2 main reasons.[:D]
1st, plastic couplers dont store well. if the car slides in the box and puts tension on the coupler, it will take a "set" and basicaly.,its junk from there.[V]
2nd, we regularly run 75-100+ car trains. Plastic couplers will not live long like this. So why bother with them.[;)] Ever hear of a KD being pulled apart???

[Anonymous]

hey timbowa -- I gotta kid you on this one - you state that you "cut off the curved trip pin because it isn't prototypical anyway and use skewers instead". Since when are 'skewers' (or 1 : 1 scale fingers) prototypical? Please note that I intend to continue doing same thing as I add more rolling stock to my new layout in the making. . .

[EMDSD40]

I have used Kadee #5's on all my HO equipment for the past 25 years with 100% satisfaction. I tried some McHenry type couplers on Walther's ore cars with very poor results. They we're replaced promptly with Kadee couplers. Also had good performance with the conversions for AHM/RIVAROSSI passenger cars. My fleet of rolling stock numbers in the 600+range and locomotives in the 250+ range all equipped with Kadee couplers. I would recommend them hands down. Hope this helps in your decision making process.

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by HighIron2003ar

Fergmeister... Your use of the word "Memory" is fantastic. You probably wanted to show that the plastic has fatique and loses tension to the point of being no good.

Thanks for the compliment but case in point since writing the earlier post I bought a Bachmann Silver Series Train Set (passenger Cars). The engine and cars were fitted with Accumates. I hauled the train, up my 6' x 5% curved grade and just as the engine hit the crest, I had a runaway train, Man those coaches go like stink! Anyway after inspecting the couplers and realizing that they were a bit "sloppy" out they came and were replaced by Kadee's. I still had problems and after further inspection realized the Bachmann coupler arrangement, which was linked with the trucks and swivelled when the trucks swiveled[%-)] were slack and moved in an up/down arc. A shim between the coupler box and the car body has solved this. Regardless I haven't much faith in plastic couplers as they are easily fatigued and can't handle the rigours on the MESS.

[Anonymous]

Nothin' beats Kadees...'nuff said.[^]