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3 Responses to Which Model Train Couplers Are The Most Reliable and Realistic?
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I have 2 collections of trains—- Lionels with their oversized knucklers and Marx with the “butterfly” units. I liked the ones on the HO scale cars I had in the 50s the best for looks.
As a North American train modeller, I prefer Kadee style knuckle couplers for their reliability. The Kadee “Whisker” models are especially easy to install and respond well to “under-the-track” magnets for uncoupling …if they are set to the manufacturer’s specifications. Rail Crew, in association with Rapido Trains (www.Rapido.com) is introducing a new under track uncoupling device that can be made active or inactive. Installation is relatively EASY on existing layouts. The manufacturer claims the units will be available by June 2015. The new uncouplers make switching operations much easier, especially for those areas that are hard to reach or hard to see. The uncoupling zone is marked by a blue light when the unit is active.
Randy has it right. KADEE Medal couplers do the job. Their 118 double shelf couplers that I use on long cars and Passenger superliners actually work and are hard to accidentally come uncoupled. All Kadee couplers are dependable and strong. I am pulling 40 foot trains and the ones that give out are the plastic couplers. Couplers that are suppose to be scale look great but if you have flaws in your layout there is less knuckle to keep a hold of and on unlevel track they can walk out of each other. Kadee also has coversion coupler kits for truck mounted couplers and that will make your train running experience much much better. Body mounted will make your backing into yards enjoyable Truck mounted helps but they don’t like a lot of load behind them when backing through the switches. Most ready to roll new cars come with inexpensive plastic couplers and they will eventually give out. SO save your older fleet and convert them to the new couplers especially Kadees. from Newman