Howdy Folks!
Since all the HO freight cars and a couple of loco's I've purchased recently seem to come equipped with one brand or another of "Scale Size" couplers, I'm debating on whether or not to convert all my equipment to the Kadee No. 58 Scale Size couplers or just continue to convert the new purchases to the reliable Kadee No. 5 (20% oversize). I have about 100 cars and several locomotives (all equipped with Kadee No. 5's) that would have to be changed if I went to the more scale size couplers, so we're looking at more than a little pocket change here.
The cars that I just got today, all have the scale size couplers and they will couple just fine with the Kadee No. 5's, but I have noticed that they don't couple to each other as reliably as cars with the No. 5's.
I'd be interested in comments from anyone that is operating with a mix of scale size and oversize couplers and how well they work together.
What this all boils down to, is that I'm wondering how many of you folks are actually using or converting your equipment to the scale size couplers, so have created my own little poll. Might be interesting to see the results.
Sorry do you mean the #58 Scale Couplers? I went looking for #85's and couldn't find any? :oops:
As for the scale couplers, I use #58's. I started using number #5's but when I found the #58's (why doesn't anyone tell me about these things?) I decided to give them a shot instead.
In my limited experience, I find the #58's to be just as reliable as the #5's. The #58's and the #5's couple to each other no problems. The size difference is quite noticeable once you put the two together and really look at them. I don't use the supplied couplers on any of my rolling stock. One of the first things I do especially with RTR stuff is change the couplers right out of the box and put a shot of graphite in the gear boxes. Nothing frustrates me more then a coupler that gets stuck off to the side. While the supplied ones are fine, I just prefer the look and operation of the metal Kadees. They also have the #158 Whisker Couplers which I picked up a two pack of just the other day. These work very good as well so far but the whisker springs look pretty delicate, so I'd be careful handling them so they don't get broken.
Long term use and abuse may prove me wrong or otherwise. But so far I like them and the work well.
I use knuckle couplers. That is descriptive enough, since I seem to use ALL knuckle couplers. Once I get my layout to a point that I can start placing rolling stock on the rails, no car that doesn't have metal couplers will be placed on the layout. I will probably go with the #58s on ones that need to be converted, but I will not be replacing #5s just because of their size. Oh, and I will place shelf couplers on the tank cars at that time as well.
Dave
I have to say mix because 3 of the 5 Kadee cars I have came with #58 scale couplers and I haven't changed them out. And probably won't, I try to handle those cars as little as possible, the scale size plastic grabs and ladders are easily damaged.
I do use ONLY Kadee couplers, no knockoffs allowed on my layout. Too many issues with some of the other brands, with all kadee I have reliable coupling and uncoupling (Iuse skwers, not magnets) and I have never EVER broken or damaged a Kadee even in the case of an unfortunate trip to the bottomless concrete canyon. Versus some of my Proto 2000 locos that came with the coupler already broken. Plus those 3 piece Accumate ones are just horrible. Kadee just works better, and it's worth it to me to spend the time and money to put them in everything. Plus they have enough varieties that any special case is easily handled - although these days it seems 90% of stuff takes a #5 and it comes out correct height.
--Randy
Just bought another pack of 50 of the #58 last week. I'm slowly converting all my rolling stock to the smaller size couplers. Right now I'm at about 80% converted. In my opinion they seem to work better than the #5, but then I never could get that brass spring installed properly. The smaller couplers also seem to reduce the problems I've had with false uncouplings.
Tom
I did use Kadee #5 couplers but when the new #58 scale couplers came along I bought a package of two pairs to try out. I liked their looks and after using them for a month or so I decided to outfit all my locomotives and rolling stock with the #58. I find they look much better than the oversized #5 and work just as well. Also at the time I was making the switch from modeling modern day diesels to modeling the CNR in 1958 and my new rolling stock and locomotive fleet was low so the switch over was easy.
The only downfall from switching to the #58 is I now have two bulk packs of #5s and at least another 30 pair of loose #5 couplers in my coupler bin. This does no count all the other couplers I have removed from the new rolling stock that arrives from time to time. I must have another 50 pair of plastic kadee style couplers as well.
Wayne Reid
Wayne R Wrote:The only downfall from switching to the #58 is I now have two bulk packs of #5s and at least another 30 pair of loose #5 couplers in my coupler bin. This does no count all the other couplers I have removed from the new rolling stock that arrives from time to time. I must have another 50 pair of plastic kadee style couplers as well. Wayne Reid
My address is...
I (eventually) will upgrade all to #5s due to their more forgiving nature - they are more likely to stay coupled on the modular set-ups. Sometimes the transition areas can be a little rough...
I use #58s though on some of my engines, especially the front couplers, where I think they look better.
Andrew
Puddlejumper Wrote:Wayne R Wrote:The only downfall from switching to the #58 is I now have two bulk packs of #5s and at least another 30 pair of loose #5 couplers in my coupler bin. This does no count all the other couplers I have removed from the new rolling stock that arrives from time to time. I must have another 50 pair of plastic kadee style couplers as well. Wayne Reid
My address is...
Actually...that's not a bad idea. I will eventually have a handful of #5's and some Proto 2000 plastic couplers to hand off. Other then using some for scenic purposes, the others will sit in a small try in a parts bin. I'm not suggesting that everyone give their stuff away. But seriously, if you want my leftovers PM me and I'll gladly pack them in bubble evelope and send 'em your way.
Receiver pays the shipping.
Most of my Rolling-stock still have Horn-Hook couplers :oops: :oops: :oops:
The rest are a mix between Bachmann and Accumate Couplers, I have not gotten around to upgrading any of the couplers, so for now I just use whatever comes in the kit
FCIN Wrote:The cars that I just got today, all have the scale size couplers and they will couple just fine with the Kadee No. 5's, but I have noticed that they don't couple to each other as reliably as cars with the No. 5's.
It does depend on the manufacturer. In my experience, Kadee still can't be beaten on quality and reliability. I've found several other brands, particularly those that use molded on plastic springs to be unreliable. They're usually too stiff (finding plastic flash on them quite often) and either don't open, or stay open, and when coupling are being pushed sideways instead of the knuckle opening up. This is particularly true in a bend, when cars are not perfectly straight. Kadee couplers suffer from this far, far less, they are a bit more expensive, but you get what you pay for. So even those that come with knuckle couplers (scale or not) I end up changing out for Kadee eventually. (tricky sometimes, springs, washers etc needed here and there).
The fact that they do couple with the no 5's as you mention is probably thanks to the light and smooth action of the Kadees, rather than the scale coupler of mfg X.
Good luck
Koos
I have found that Kadee couplers are the most reliable and hold up the best. I have not really been very happy with any of the plastic coupler, but some look really good for static display. I may change my fleet over to the scale head couplers but at a minimum everything gets the Kadee couplers. For now I am purchasing the #148 or whatever is needed in the Whisker couplers.
tetters Wrote:Sorry do you mean the #58 Scale Couplers?
Yep, that's what I meant No. 58!!! I'll edit the post to correct that.
tetters Wrote:One of the first things I do especially with RTR stuff is change the couplers right out of the box and put a shot of graphite in the gear boxes.
Same here - although I'm using Kadee No. 5 - I replace the RTR couplers and put graphite in the gear box and polish the knuckle face with it too. Really helps the couplers slide smoothly together at slow coupling speeds.
This thread is getting interesting and I appreciate your thoughts and experiences on using the scale size couplers. Like several others, all my equipment is equipped with the metal Kadee couplers and I won't put any car on the layout that hasn't had the knockoff plastic couplers replaced with Kadee's. The knockoff plastic couplers that use the split-shank design are really terrible - so those have to go!!
Will have to re-consider making the switch to the No. 58's I guess, but like Puddlejumper said, I'm going to have a huge supply of No. 5's if I do this! Not to mention a large outlay of cash - but it can be done a few at a time. I think a 25 pair pack of the Kadee No. 58's is around $30.
FCIN Wrote:I think a 25 pair pack of the Kadee No. 58's is around $30.
Walthers has them on sale through the end of November for about $38. I haven't looked for them on other sites lately.
Tom
Where over 90% of my operating happens on a modular layout, with the almost unavoidable rail height changes at the module boundaries, scale couplers would result in constant de-coupling. I'll stick with Kadee #5's.