With some new equipment comming out with scale
couplers what does one do? Can these new items
be converted to the standard ? Any thoughts on this
subject. Yes the scale couplers do look better but
everything I have is equipt. with the [Kadee] standard.
Thanks for your comments—Tomas in Durango[%-)]
In HO scale, the “scale” couplers that come on from the factory on models will couple with the standard Kadee compatible knuckle couplers. For example, all of the recent Kadee cars have come with #58 couplers. These will work fine with #5 and similar, if you have good track work. They are roughly half as high, and thus much more sensitive to vertical alignment.
I am not aware of any company offering factory equipped Sargent couplers, which are truely scale.
Most companies offer 'scale ’ couplers. I would stick with Kadee # 58s. I am using them on all new equipment & on the front of locos & rear of cabooses,where they show the most. You could also hold out to see if Kadee will offer the " whisker " model in scale size
The decision I made on this subject was more a function of operation. The ones they claim aren’t “scale” are only about 15 to 20% too large. I like to run long trains on long, curving grades (also known as a helix), so I ran into a problem with the plastic couplers. They’ll bend under load and slip coupling. The Kadee all metal (40 series) are what I’m using almost exclusively now, and have eliminated this problem.
If all your cars have the supposedly “oversized” couplers, it’s really unnoticible, especially since they’re between the cars and not easily seen anyway.
I found Kadee #5 has a better “hit rate” on coupling as #58. The standard is simply larger and will tolerate more missalignment as #58.
I will replace the #58 on Kadde cars with standard #5 for sake of smooth operation.
Nothing but Kadees. Their all-metal construction just lasts longer. The Accu-Mate and other couplers use a piece of plastic to keep the knuckle closed wear out and constantly uncouple. Buy yourself a Kadee coupler gauge and an NMRA gauge to keep your wheels in gauge for years of happy railroading. [:)]