[34C]

Good solution for a permanently coupled set, worth experimenting to get the closest spacing possible.

 

[34C]

Great many ways to 'play tunes' with this method. Making the holes in the 'floor' of the gangways can offer easier access to the coupling link on gangwayed bogie coaches. Vehicle end mounting of magnetic couplers is the direction I am now going for fitted stock, Added convenience the main motivation, the benefit of the closest possible coupling and no slack in the train (other than in the pivots) is shared with the bent wire fixed link. (I have developed quite a dislike over the years to trains which should be 'tight coupled' and therefore move as one piece, which are actually 'loose coupled' in model form.)

 

[34C]

...with a bit of Physics ...

Good to know. The next time some knowlessman comes along proposing ideas that conflict with empirically proven science we can apply the boot in stereo.

 

[34C]

If the copper wire does flex, 'Florist's wire' which is iron is sufficiently stiff and forms sharp bends very neatly. Advantage, it can be lifted out by a magnet on a short stick.

 

[34C]

I used the Keen system many years ago. It did the job well but on some coaches (at that time) you had to cut away part of the bogie frame which made the wheels fall out at the drop of a hat...

Interesting. (I would have given your post an 'informative' rather than a 'like' if such an option was available. Perhaps we could agree a code meaning for the smilies: 'informative and useful', 'inventive', 'impressively skillful', 'improbable', 'I really think not' ?)

Whatever, I have seen it claimed that Bachmann didn't put a close coupling system on their BR pilot scheme DMU's for much the same reason, because it was awkward to implement on the power bogie. (That's the one missing feature I would have liked on these models, with underside access to a DCC decoder socket as next request.) Whether true or not, it is a fact that Hornby's class 30/31 does have a close coupling system installed, and in my experience the outside end of the bogies tends to splay out over time, until a wheelset drops out; unless adjustments are made when first received, based on havin had the experience ....