I’m starting the process of converting all my rolling stock to Kadee couplers. When looking in the Walthers 07’ catalog for the appropiate type of coupler to purchase for my rolling stock, it says i can use #5, 58, or 148 type couplers for all my Accurail rolling stock. What is the difference between the three? Should I only use one type, or can I mix and match those three types in my fleet? I appreciate the help everyone. Jason
The # 5 is the old standby but over size. The #58 is more to scale and #148 uses the new metal wisker spring and no draft gear spring. All will work. If you are starting out look at the #148, less parts to install. All are compatible.
[#ditto] The #148 is the easiest. My LHS doesn’t stock it, so I use #5’s or #58’s.
Kadee #5’s are their default standard, and include centering spring and coupler box.
Kadee **5’s in bulk (**for ‘drop in’) are # 10, #11.
‘Series 40’ are #5’s with various (longer/shorter/higher/lower) shanks.(Example: #43 for closer coupling, #46 for longer).
Kadee #58 are smaller semi-scale 5’s. #148’s have ‘built-in’ centering springs. Above are all metal knucle type.
Yeah ! but are they all compatible ? Meaning with kato and spectrum couplers ?
To me, the answer is “who cares?” The right thing to do is replace all of your couplers with Kadees. Yeah, even on brand new, right-out-of-the-box equipment. Kadees really are that much better.
The technical answer is “Yes, they will all play together nicely.” At least until the others break.
ALL Couplers mate with themselves. Competing brands - same thing. Intermixing is hit and miss. Some do, some don’t.
- Brands out to compete with Kadee, make compatibility a selling point. 2) Kadee - being the leader - is more concerned with (their brand) performance.
RESULT: Kadee to Kadee is #1. Tests by MR confirmed this. Why would Kadee worry about quality of mating with imitators out to steal business? (They don’t). ALL of Kadee’s HO coupler types mate.
I always replace everything with Kadee number 5’s except my locos unless they are acting up.
Just my opinion.
Like everybody said, Kato, P2K, Athearn etc are all compatible with Kadee’s but the problem with using those is that they tend to stretch and cause uncoupling problems when your pulling long trains. They do work well out of the box but their reliability drops the longer they are used. Thats why people swap them out for Kadee’s before the loco or rolling stock hits the layout, swap them and forget about them.