Couplings

4164 Views 12 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Ruffnut Thorston, Nov 27, 2008

alans

Discussion Starter · Oct 9, 2008

Hi Mike

Being fairly new to the hobby, I'm a bit confused by the various couplings available (Hornby, PECO, NEM etc). How about an article describing the various types, which are compatable, the pros & cons of each and how to change them. I've a few old Triang coaches with the old type couplings, I want to change them, but they are fixed to the bogey and it looks like a major job to me. I'm sure there are others readers who would find such an article useful. Great magazine by the (permanet) way!

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7113

· #2 · Oct 9, 2008

Alan

A small point, NEM in itself is not actually a coupling, it is a pocket, made to agreed standards, which enables the operator to fit couplings of his choice to his stock. The NEM pocket has been common in continental circles for many years - I believe they were first used in the mid 80's. It is only recently that Bachmann and Hornby have switched to their use. (and not without some problems)

Regards

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Brian Considine

· #3 · Oct 9, 2008

QUOTE (BRITHO @ 9 Oct 2008, 16:21) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The NEM pocket has been common in continental circles for many years - I believe they were first used in the mid 80's.
An early version of the NEM pocket was used by Rowa in the mid/late 70's & at about the same time or a little later by Ade.

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BVM

· #4 · Oct 9, 2008

QUOTE (alan13 @ 9 Oct 2008, 16:01) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Mike

Being fairly new to the hobby, I'm a bit confused by the various couplings available (Hornby, PECO, NEM etc). How about an article describing the various types, which are compatable, the pros & cons of each and how to change them. I've a few old Triang coaches with the old type couplings, I want to change them, but they are fixed to the bogey and it looks like a major job to me. I'm sure there are others readers who would find such an article useful. Great magazine by the (permanet) way!

Always a useful topic but while you are waiting for Hornby Magazine if you have access to old Model Rail magazines the following had articles on couplings;

Jan 2000
April 2000
April 2001
July 2001
Feb 2002
March 2003
Marcg 2005

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Doug

· #5 · Oct 9, 2008

It has been done before, but as it is an ongoing issue, it doesn't hurt to bring it up again especially with the latest locos and rolling stock from popular brands and the latest coupling systems available.

I have had problems with coupling compatibilities and have basically standardised on Kadee couplers (see the article here in our Resources section). I do run other couplings on smaller locos and other scales and some locos that only run with specific stock, but for general use, I put Kadees on most stock and am very happy with the results.

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nevardmedia

· #6 · Oct 10, 2008

I agree, alot of people would find this interesting.

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Thermos

· #7 · Oct 15, 2008

I'd love an article on couplings. Explaining styles, compatability, replacing and all the jargon.

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Mike Wild

· #8 · Nov 10, 2008

Agreed! Couplings are definitely a worthy subject, particularly as there is such a bewildering variety. I've added the subject to our features list for Hornby Magazine.

Cheers,

Mike Wild.

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Lancashire Fusilier

· #9 · Nov 11, 2008

It would need to be done well though. Have seen articles from time to time that are far from exhaustive - which is simply a lack of research most of the time. If it is to be done well it needs to include three link & screw, Alex Jacksons, Dinghams, Spratt & Winkles and couplings of that ilk along with the more well known styles like tension locks and Kadees etc.

Just my thoughts...

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61215 billy carver

· #10 · Nov 11, 2008

i fully agree with the lancky fuse , lets have a proper look at whats out there and what works well without a company bias. billy

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DiesAL

· #11 · Nov 22, 2008

But it should be accesible and easy to understand for the inexperienced modeller in keeping with HM.

I think most readers, myself included, would like such an article to relate to RTR stock and in particular the discrepancies/incompatibility re couplings between the different manufacturers past and present.

This is certainly a topic that pops up on all model railway forums.

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upnick

· #12 · Nov 22, 2008 (Edited by Moderator)

Hi all,

For couplings using the Kadee type here are two videos showing them working hope its helpful towards defining the types.

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Ruffnut Thorston

· #13 · Nov 27, 2008

Iain Rice is a good writer on couplings!

I can reccommend his writings, especially like the "Harpoon" description of the Tri-ang hook!

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