The fact that they don't close on their own is why I don't like them, they open nicely though.
cudaken Easy to tell, people with Kadee are hooked up. Other brand users are trying to figure why there cars will not stay coupled.
Easy to tell, people with Kadee are hooked up. Other brand users are trying to figure why there cars will not stay coupled.
Incorrect. Sergent just does the job a whole different route. And really, tit does it better because there's one less piece to fail catastropically, the coupler spring that takes to the netherlands on the Kadee is not on the Sergent Design.
Me? I started Kadee, but am slowly converting to Sergent. Mainly, because I planned to run a protoypical length Ringling train and didn;t think that the Kadee springsa could handle the stresses of a 60' long train. I eagerly await their passenger coupler type H.
And really, the lcoal club uses Kadee, so any engiens I run there will need to be converted back, or run with a conversion. Though actually, most of the stuff I bring won;t couple to the club stuff anyway, so it does A Sergent WILL mate with A Kadee. All you have to do is open the Sergent an coerce it closed around the Kadee knuckle,
-Morgan
I have used Kadees in various numbers since early 1960, have a large investment in them, no interest, no reason, to change them now. I am satisfied with the appearance, in fact, the couplers are the last thing to catch my eye when examing a model.
Oh, did I mention the Kadees are dependable. Sergeant may be also, but I don't care and I don't want to change. As far as being prototypical vs not prototypical, there are a lot of compromises made in the hobby, switch throws, most signals, the spikes I use to lay track, and on an on, but I still enjoy my layout.
Bob
I've yet to find the perfect answer. The standard Kadee knuckle, while oversize, works well and is easy to install.
In the '70s, I started using the Kadee #711 "Old Timer", which has a much better looking knuckle for my TOC rolling stock. However, #711 is not nearly as easy to install, and it can have a slinky action if the trucks are really free rolling. The same is true for the #714, which is the same coupler with an HOn3 trip pin.
The Sergent coupler is more realistic looking than even the Kadee #711, but is not the right shape for pre-1930. The earlier MCB couplers were smaller and more rounded.
Like a few others, I find the scale telephone pole held by the giant hand disturbing the realism of the scene. I prefer magnetic uncoupling, even doing the Kadee delayed dance, if need be. Personal preference.
The Kadee trip pins are no better or worse than unconnected air hose details in a moving train to my eye. Again, personal preference.
For my HOn3 use, I have bought and am trying out a few pair of the MT N couplers. These are closer to scale size for my prototype than the #714, and have improved coupling and slinky characteristics if I stick to the MT 1016 style. But I am not sure they are big enough to stay coupled consistently on my steep grades and 15" radius curves.
Still experimenting with couplers.
Fred W
....modeling foggy coastal Oregon, where it's always 1900....
Modeling HO Freelance Logging Railroad.
davidmbedard Your right, why would some people actually want a realistic coupler? I guess they are willing to compromise and use Kadees. Kadees are NOT realistic. Sergents operate like the prototype.
Your right, why would some people actually want a realistic coupler? I guess they are willing to compromise and use Kadees.
Kadees are NOT realistic. Sergents operate like the prototype.
Yes, at work we always uncouple our cars by sticking a large magnet on the end of a telephone pole between the cars.
Dave H.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Kadee if it is actually going to get used!!!!!!!!!!!
Everything sooner or later gets Kadee.......
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
MotleyNo reason to use anything BUT Kadee
Amen and pass the Kadee's...
There's never time to do it right, but always time to do it over.....
I use Accurail Accumate Proto:HO they have automatic coupling and if you want magnetic uncoupling like Kadees and none of the problems of Sergents.
Try them you will like them.
Harold
davidmbedard said:
"Your right, why would some people actually want a realistic coupler? I guess they are willing to compromise and use Kadees.
David B"
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Do you find any operational problems with Sergents as one person above stated?
Kadee for me. I've been using the #58's for quite some time now. I like the smaller knuckles, and I find they work fine with other cars that still have #5's on them.
I'm one of those guys who doesn't like the "Hand of God" swooping down from the sky to uncouple cars or throw turnouts, so I put a lot of effort into planning and installing magnetic uncoupling, too.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MotleyNo reason to use anything BUT Kadee.
No reason to use anything BUT Kadee.
Ditto
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
This.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
I use Kadee's. #5, #148, #119. I tried Sergents on a trail basis and found them to be not to my liking.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I hate Rust
While they have made S scale couplers in the past, they are currently not in their product line. But I'm pretty committed to Kadee, so I doubt I'll switch even if they become available again.
Enjoy
Paul
Good luck!
Mark (Kadee user)
Just comparing notes.