can you use Kadee #5 and #58 couplers together on a layout. like some somes cars have #5 and some have #58. I have both but not enough of either one to convert all cars. They all have McHenry now. Just wondering before i get neck deep in the conversion and then realize it won’t work.
Yes, you can mix them as you like
Yup
David B
McHenry copied the Kadee coupler, so it should work - up to a point.
For reliability, match couplers - Kadee with Kadee, and McHenry to McHenry.
MOST users replace their copycat knuckle couplers with Kadee over time but some will use whatever came for free - as long as it works - and that, exactly, is the problem.
I’ve tried many different couplers and have eventually replaced all of them with Kadees. Even InterMountain - which had a plastic knuckle coupler - has switched to KD’s.
KNUCKLE COUPLERS depend on ‘handshake’, and too a lesser extent, centering spring tensions, so I match KD types together - 40’s & 5’s* and 30’s to 30’s etc., wherever possible .
Going through turnouts, spring tension comes into play. Any cars with ‘Talgo’ mounted couplers run as a separate group, for the same reasons.
- same spring.
Kadee couplers are compatible with all other Kadee couplers and most other knuckle type couplers. One notable exception are the Sergent couplers which are not compatible with other knuckle type couplers.
As has been mentioned above Kadee couplers will be compatable with most knuckle couplers. All the Kadee couplers are compatable with each other.
Personlnaly I use only Kadee couplers. The imposters are not much to write home about. They go in the trash. Save your money and use the Genuine Kadee.
When using knuckle couplers be sure to use a Kadee gauge to set the height. Mount the couplers as per the prototype and leave access for repair should it be needed.
I got the Kadee #5 and they are working very well along woth the height gauge. finally a good train day :-)[tup]
The height gauge is well worth the investment. You can have all your cars converted to Kadee’s but if they don’t match up in height or the trip pin is to low then your still going to have problems. Good move getting the gauge.
Now that we got you settled on the number 5’s are you tired of that small seperate spring peice yet? Try the 148 whiskers.