Just got done puttin up a HO layout around the Xmas tree. Used Kadee on most of the cars, but a couple have accumates. Whats your preference? I have always liked the Kadee.
This sounds like one of those grandpa tales, which I am, but I have used Kadee for many years, won't use anything else. I kept a few of the Accumate couplers installed on some Atlas cars I bought, after two of them drooped and derailed on a switch, and effectly demolished the coupler too, I adopted a new policy, which is simply each new piece of equipment gets two things coming in the door. Metal wheel sets (if it doesn't have them) and Kadee couplers, no matter which brand is installed.
Nope, nothing but Kadees, especially with the new #58 out. These are smaller and more prototypical than the #5s, just as strong, and still couple with #5s!! All my new equipment and anything that needs repairs will get #58s. ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society, NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
All 400+ cars on the Saline,Ann Arbor & Yuma are KD'd been that way since 1965 or so- can't beat 'em.
Anybody interested in hundreds of mostly #5s? With the #58 i see no reason to buy #5s anymore(haven't bought em in awhile anyway though) but i'm still waiting for the Accumate Proto- which is still gonna look better than the #58. My problem with the Kadees is the slack- way too much. I'm hoping the #58 has way less. I'm gonna pick up a couple pair tomorrow if i can just to check em out. While i am leaning toward the Proto Accumate for appearance(especially with the scale width draft gear) i still would prefer a metal coupler... So i'll just have to see.
Done McHenry, Intermountain, and Accumate- 'still like Kadee. A recent article in Model Railroader did a comparison between the brands of couplers, and Kadee came out on top. Why mess with anything else?
My local hobby shop, which I use often, put the bite on me to try McHenry. Said, I wouldn't have to futz with the springs, etc. of Kaydee. That was true. But trying to open or close the "brake line" was a real pain with those plastic couplers. It was back to Kaydee, no reason to change. If it ain't broke why fix it!!! ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
Kadees are still the bestconrail on the market and the most reliable as well. ------------------ Paul the 2nd Paul Van Herwegen HO Rappannahock Terminal Railway G Emerald Valley RR http://users.pandora.be/paul.van.herwegen/
Kaydees may have some problems (especially dealing with those little springs) but they work consistently and well (once they're installed properly). They have none of the "memory" problems of plastic springs. And the support of the company is great with various styles and information for all the various mounting needs. My Bachmann 2-8-0 came with (I think) Accumate and I had to change them out because they wouldn't let go (under any circumstances)-- so it's Kaydee for me. Now I too am very interested in the new scale size couplers that are supposed to mate with "regular" KD's as well -- the future is FUN!
Like most of the people who have posted here, I'll stay with KD. The others I have tried lack reliability on one way or another--slopy mount, breaks easily, etc. This question for tunnel88. When you speak of slack with the KDs, in scale inches, how much would you estimate that slack to be? ------------------ Peirce Behrendt Southbury, CT peirce@ibm.net
<font color="336633">i have allways used Kadee, i have a few accumates and proto 2000 ones but i have never used them as they are just sitting in the box, although i noticed that the accumates on my atlas 53' boxcar have allready aquired a "set" possition just by laying on its side... i will also try out these kadee #58's and if they work ok i will be getting rid of all the over scale ones (#5's etc) but for me i like ro rely on matal springs not plastic....</font> ------------------ Matthew wheres all the C636's???? stickymonk.com Matts Photo gallery TrainBoard member #257
Peirce, the slack i'm talking about is that between the knuckles. I'm cool with drawbar slack(or the action), but when you got a couple scale inches between pulling faces i'm not down with that! That's one advantage of the Seargent, in that the knuckles are tight. I'm hoping thae #58 is much tighter than the #5.
When I got back into MR I used Kadees on all my cars. But now I use what usually comes in the kits, P2Ks, Accumates, Intermountain. So far I havent really noticed much difference. I do modify all my coupelers by cutting off the 'airhose', and use a manual uncoupeling tool.....Mike
Most of the factory installed P2K couplers (I have)with the plastic finger instead of KD type metal spring have gone south; couplers in open position after a year or so. "NY&W operating procedure: Replace with KD. Period." Steve www.NYandW.com ------------------
Kadee for me, all the way. I experimented with the E-Z mate, Accumate and other "clones" that have been coming with the new freight cars lately, and was disappointed. They just can't hold up in club operations! Kadee's have been the most reliable, and their new #58's look and operate great...any new equipment I get that can use them will definitely get them! Kadee is the only way to go, IMHO! Paul #3 ------------------ Have A Nice Day!
I concur with the use of Kadee's. I have tried most of the others and they have ended up on nearly static models that see very little use. I haven't tried the Kadee 58 yet, but I certainly intend to. Roger Roger Hensley - rhensley@anderson.cioe.com == http://cid.railfan.net/eci_new.html == == East Central Indiana Railroad ==
I did pick up a couple pair saturday... They are a nice improvement over the #5, but i wasn't quite blown away~ The main body of the coupler is really nice, but the knuckle projects a little too much i think. Overall, they are quite nice though... Did anyone see that article in Great Model Railroads on that CNW layout with the 50+" curves and Sergent couplers? Wow is all i can say...
Hi all, I use KaDee exclusively. They work good, last a long time ,and I got bigger fish to fry than worrying about couplers. Ultimately, any prob I've had turned out to be my fault, LOL, so I go with what I know. Goin' to RENO tomorrow, maybe I can get significant other to let me in a train store or two. TIS THE SEASON Bobby ------------------
<font color="336633">these Kadee #58's how close to scale are they?</font> ------------------ Matthew wheres all the C636's???? stickymonk.com Matts Photo gallery TrainBoard member #257
