Hornby class 60 coupler trouble

SCF
Sorry about the last post, must have pressed the wrong button.

I have the same problem with my class 60. It occurs when negotiating 2nd radius curves and is due to the limited sideways movement on the coupling combined with the length from the centre of the bogie to the coupling end (about 60 mm). I don't have this problem with the class 25 as the bogie centre to coupling is shorter (about 50 mm). Another factor is the type of rolling stock used. All of my bogie mounted stock has the couplers firmly fixed to the bogie or the main frame, this allows no sideways swing at all. Small wagons vary slightly, older stock have large fixed couplings while the newer wagons have the smaller couplings having a limited side play built in. The class 60 copes with all stock as long as it is only dealing with large radius points.

Brian

QUOTE (Branchliner @ 26 Apr 2008, 12:48) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>SCF
Sorry about the last post, must have pressed the wrong button.

I have the same problem with my class 60. It occurs when negotiating 2nd radius curves and is due to the limited sideways movement on the coupling combined with the length from the centre of the bogie to the coupling end (about 60 mm). I don't have this problem with the class 25 as the bogie centre to coupling is shorter (about 50 mm). Another factor is the type of rolling stock used. All of my bogie mounted stock has the couplers firmly fixed to the bogie or the main frame, this allows no sideways swing at all. Small wagons vary slightly, older stock have large fixed couplings while the newer wagons have the smaller couplings having a limited side play built in. The class 60 copes with all stock as long as it is only dealing with large radius points.

Brian

Thanks Brian. I'm surprised that it happens at all though - surely it is not rocket science to sort out decent couplers. I picked up some information from another forum that suggests that Hornby now have a modification for this and I have since emailed Hornby - I'll let you know if I get a response. It's fairly clear now that newer locos are requiring larger radius curves to operate (note the 4th radius curve that Hornby now offer) and I'm looking to ditch 2nd radius curves and short turnouts when I rebuild my layout. Thanks again. Steve.

QUOTE (f2paul @ 28 Apr 2008, 08:15) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>But as mentioned most stick to the old formula of couplings on the bogie.
'Old faithful', which has the benefit of actually working with the tension lock coupler. For those who don't mind butchery it is relatively simple to hack off the Hornby CCM, and glue a metal strip to the bogie base to take an NEM pocket. That's what I did when Hornby's CCM mechanism proved unable to reliably recentre under load on a Brush type 2, with either of miniature tension locks or Kadees installed.

It would recentre using the R8220 coupler, but that's not the coupler I want on locos. I notice that Hornby are now including this coupler with their CCM equipped Pullmans, but that it does not fully exploit the mechanism's capability; the corridor connector faceplates remaining several millimeters apart on straight track. Ironically the R8220 coupler works beautifully with Bach mk1's which have their NEM sockets mounted too far back from the buffing face...

I have found this problem on two of my 60s and my new LE 56, although it was more to do with entering the curve. It irritated me that Hornby said to send them back 'for repair' at a cost of £17 (postage), only for them to return them apparently unopened with a pack of 12 wider couplings (6 medium width, 6 wide).

The 56 now runs properly.

Having inserted the medium width couplers on the 60s the same problem persisted. I have found that if you file the sides of the couplers to a 45 degree angle they move more smoothly into the right position when going across 's' curves.

That said, they still don't like the parkside rudds and clams.

The problem with the 60 appears to be that the coupling comes in to contact with the plough on the front of the loco

It now appears though as if I cannot now remove the couplings, they have stuck themselves in for good.

QUOTE (john woodall @ 13 May 2008, 10:42) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi SCF,

If you are going to file the "pointy bit" of the CCM (KKK to european modellers) you need to take very little off it. A neddle point is no good, just a slam (about 0.5mm) well bevelled centering area. I would look first at the coupler shank where it centers and see if that is where the problem is as well.

Close couplers have been used for many years in europe, most work really well, but evey now and again, you get the odd one that needs to be adjusted. That being said CCM wagons do look a lot better than non CCM wagons.

John

Much appreciated, John. Many thanks.

Steve