close coupling

StickyMonk Apr 4, 2000

  1. StickyMonk

    StickyMonk TrainBoard Member

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    when will american manufactures finally catch up in coach quality of the european ones, if anyone compairs a Roco or Lima coach to almost any of the american ones they will see the difference, the biggest thing that i find astonishing is the fact that no american coach has close coupling, unlike the continental ones i hate seeing gaps between coaches, Roco makes a close coupling mech to fit to others looks like thats what ill have to do.....

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    wheres all the C636's????
    stickymonk.com
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  2. ChrisDante

    ChrisDante TrainBoard Member

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    You have piqued my curiosity.
    Do Roco or Lima make US heavyweight passenger cars?
    What about coupling with a short shank Kadee coupler?
    If you close couple, how do you neogiate an 18 inch or smaller curve?
    See all kinds of neat questions.


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    When in doubt, empty your magazine.
     
  3. StickyMonk

    StickyMonk TrainBoard Member

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    no roco dont make american prototypes, ill try to explain how it works

    the couplers fit into pockets which is on a pivoting arm which slides in a gull wing shaped slot in the base of the car, when the cars are on straight track the couplers are at their closest point and diaphrams are touching, as the cars enter a curve the slot in the floor moves the couplers outwards so the diaphrams move apart. the tighter the curve the more they move apart.

    on the continental layout one of the members had a french 10 car push pull express train that he used to run both ways at a scale 90mph round tight corners with no probs!!! there is not many coupling systems that allow that....

    if you can get hold of a roco catalogue it explains it in there, in all it is a very simple and extreamly efective system

    i forgot to add roco makes retro fit ones

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    wheres all the C636's????
    stickymonk.com
    Matts Photo gallery

    [This message has been edited by StickyMonk (edited 05 April 2000).]
     
  4. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    When I was modelling European HO scale, we took close coupling for granted. Only when picking up second-hand stock from train fairs might I get one that was not fitted. These I made some from brass and plastic, however, I did have some Roco coaches to get the shape of the gull-wing cut-out needed.

    But it is really quite simple, and is amazing that the system is not used in US models.

    If you can get your hands on a couple of Roco coaches, the method will become clear, so the retro-fit ones Roco make could be used. You could then sell the Roco coaches.

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    Alan

    www.ac-models.com
    http://Andersley.homestead.com
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  5. SD80MAC

    SD80MAC E-Mail Bounces

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    I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RETRO FIT MCHENRY COUPLERS INTO THE EUROPEAN STYLE COUPLER BOXES AND IT LOOKED PRETTY GOOD ON A ATHERN STREAMLINER
     

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