Prototype sized couplers-Have you used 'em?

BC Rail King Sep 15, 2000

  1. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    Hello all you HO, and non-HOers out there!

    I was wondering if any of you have used prototype size couplers from Kadee or any one else? I saw some functutioning and have to admit I kinda prefer the bigger ones! They seem easier to handle and fix ect..
    They are almost N scale size (he he he).

    So, for any of you who have used them, or atleast seen them, any comments?

    Happy Railroading!!

    Dane N. [​IMG]

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    BCRailKing@Canada.com

    Teen Association of Model Railroaders-
    for information, contact Dane N. at TAMR2860@Canada.com
    http://www.tamr.org

    "I was DC, and went DCC!"
     
  2. tunnel88

    tunnel88 TrainBoard Member

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    I haven't tried any yet, even though i'm their biggest proponent! [​IMG]

    I don't like the Kadee ones becuase i don't like the look of a spring on a 'scale' coupler... Hence my support of the nonexistant(as of yet) Proto accumate.

    As i mentioned earlier, i haven't tried the Sergent's due to their limitations...

    If anyone here has tried any scale couplers, i'll eat my boots- or something! [​IMG]

    If they are almost N scale i shudder at the thought of how oversize those N scale couplers are! [​IMG]
     
  3. With all the talk about scale couplers, I have the feeling that they will not be as popular as most of us hope. If you wanted 'scale' (very close) couplers, you could have used the Kadee narrow gauge coupler 711 (I believe) and achieved the look and feel of scale couplers. That was only an option for a few people because they aren't as forgiving as the larger coupler when it comes to track imperfections. There is nothing like the feeling you get when your train goes into a tunnel and only half of it comes out. :)

    Nature always sides with the hidden flaw. Oh, well.

    Roger

    Roger Hensley - rhensley@anderson.cioe.com

    == http://cid.railfan.net/eci_new.html ==
    == East Central Indiana Railroad ==
     
  4. tunnel88

    tunnel88 TrainBoard Member

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    I sent Accurail an email last night regarding the Proto Accumate and am eagerly awaiting news...
     
  5. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    I can not back into a car and couple with either McHenery, KD, or Acumate, unless I run around to a magnet somewhere, and even then it doesn't always work. The Sergent coupler works just as great as a real coupler does. Back in 1938 or 9 my dad made several pair almost exactly like Sergent's, with the exception, that dad's had a tilting bar inside, instead of the steel ball Sergent uses. Yes they look 'real' and to scale. You do have to do a little very fine filing and assenbly, but the effort is well worth it. They work well on DCC bur can short on engine to engine on two rail DC; just like the old Mantua loop and hook type did. I still use the Mantua only because I do a lot of coupling, and it is the only one I can creep into, make a couple, and not move a flat car. Dad used the Smiley patent drawings and I think Sergent used the Bailey or some later prototype. Sergent couplers are not self centering. If uncoupled on a curve, they will recouple on another (same radius) curve. Just like the real ones, you have to have the knuckle open, and align with the pickup car. When Sergent developes the remote wand un-coupling, they will be totally hands off, so just might take the market. Who knows ??

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    Watash
     
  6. tunnel88

    tunnel88 TrainBoard Member

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    Good points, but i don't want to build 500 couplers that aren't nearly as simple as say Kadees or Accumates...
     
  7. StickyMonk

    StickyMonk TrainBoard Member

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tunnel88:
    Good points, but i don't want to build 500 couplers that aren't nearly as simple as say Kadees or Accumates...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    <font color="336633">I have the same thourghts exactly, i would rather stick with the normal Kadee ones than have to build hundreds.....</font>


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

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Me too. Since my dad and I started out settling on the Mantua's, I have far too many to have to change now. To each his own. I do have one car with a KD #5 on one end for use when a fellow wanted to come run with me. But that layout was built under the floor of a pier and beam house out in west Texas. I am not meaning to 'shoot down' today's couplers. I just haven't found a design that performs what I want to do. I'm no longer in a club, this last layout is just for me alone.

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    Watash
     
  9. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    I tried backing into a flat car with KD couplers on both (A diesel) engine. The car just got bumped and coasted away. [​IMG] I added weight to the flat, and hit it faster; still no couple. [​IMG] After adding 2# of plumber's lead on the flat car, and crashing into it at a scale 110 mph, the couplers, broke, and the lead fell off, but still the knuckles did not open to couple. I don't want to have to go slip a magnet under a car across the room, just to couple onto it, That's why I use Mantua couplers, they are reliable. I made sure: I used the pulse power and made a couple with Mantua's and did not actually touch the other empty flat car; then pulled it away! The car was on a 30 radius curve, miles away from the nearest uncoupling ramp too.

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    Watash

    [This message has been edited by watash (edited 28 September 2000).]
     

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