Converting the Hornby Q1 to Kadee couplers

so some butchering of both the original coupling and the new one provided enough parts to make a stepped coupler as shown.

A good selection of plasticard helps when adapting couplings and allows fine tuning to the correct height saving work on the original coupling in the event it is to be changed back at a later date

QUOTE (David Lay @ 21 Aug 2008, 02:58) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Inspired by Doug's excellent photos I have been converting my wagons to Kadees. For the Q1 I obtained a type 20 NEM coupler, but the NEM pockets on the model are too low. Fortunately the discrepancy is the thickness of the shaft, so some butchering of both the original coupling and the new one provided enough parts to make a stepped coupler as shown.

hadn't noticed it on my Q1 but will check - the same principal can be used for NEM mounts that are set too high (Bachmann Mk1's, Heljan 33s etc). Found that the rear coupling on the Bachmann standard 4 tank needed an extra deep step - use a stepped tension lock as supplied by Bachmann with the Mk1s etc as a basis for mounting the NEM

the different hights of the pockets has been the most frustrating thing in using kadees . Where have you obtained such small screws to make the changes?

QUOTE (Daz @ 22 Aug 2008, 02:38) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>the different hights of the pockets has been the most frustrating thing in using kadees . Where have you obtained such small screws to make the changes?
I have no idea. I always keep the bits left over when I build things and I salvage parts from broken toys; I have an assortment of small screws, nuts and bolts.

QUOTE (Daz @ 22 Aug 2008, 10:38) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>the different hights of the pockets has been the most frustrating thing in using kadees . Where have you obtained such small screws to make the changes?

*** Send me an email off list and I'll send you a catalog - I have a large range of micro screws from 1.6 x 8mm down to as small as 1mm x 3mm

Richard

Good work. I haven't had my Q1 out in ages. Probably why I haven't come across this problem.

I'll add this topic to our Kadee on UK stock guide.

I have had problems with the fish tails of the couplers being loose in the vertical plain in the NEM box causing coupler sag and drop. I have fixed this by sliding and glueing a plasticard shim inside the box below the coupler and this both lifts it a touch and removes the sag. This is a qucker and less drastic fix where the coupler is only somewhat too low and/or loose in the box.
Andrew

Hi

Forgive my ignorance' but I cannot access your pictures of the modified kadee coupling stepped to fit to a Hornby Q1. I can understand the logic, how did you fix the pieces?

Puzzled by this thread as my two Kadee fitted Q1s worked heavily on a exhibition layout without any modification of the couplings being needed. Sometimes a NEM Kadee may droop too low and as note above that can be fixed by sliding a suitable item (a metal offcut from an etching for example) between the underside of the Kadee and the inside top of the NEM mount.

QUOTE (butler-henderson @ 18 Dec 2019, 21:03) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Puzzled by this thread as my two Kadee fitted Q1s worked heavily on a exhibition layout without any modification of the couplings being needed. Sometimes a NEM Kadee may droop too low and as note above that can be fixed by sliding a suitable item (a metal offcut from an etching for example) between the underside of the Kadee and the inside top of the NEM mount.

Yes that's what I've done with mine and they work fine with no other modification.

This thread dates from 2008 so I doubt whether the pictures are still available. The thread starter (David Lay) was last seen on the forum in 2012.

Hi Many thanks for the replies. I resolved the Q1 with a coupling head mounted on the tail piece of another for the tender, and a piece of kadee shim on the front inserted under the coupler tail in the nem pocket.
Thus emboldened I shimmed the tender coupling on my Merchant Navy, and was able to fit a no 20 coupler Unmodified in the front bogie.
The kadee gauge is a godsend and paying attention to it enabled a happy half hour shunting, which was the whole point of going down this road.
As an aside, you can't fault the quality of the engineering in kadee kit, I especially like the snap together gear box, which really does, every time!