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Kadee Couplers
David has a question for readers with knowledge of couplers:
“I have HO rolling stock from kits from 60 years ago to more recent times and would like to make one pass through standardizing the couplers. I like the appearance of the Kadee couplers on the older kits, but there are so many varieties of Kadee couplers, I’m lost. What is the difference between different Kadee couplers? Why would I choose one Kadee knuckle coupler style over another?”
If you can assist David, please use the green feedback and comment link below.
3 Responses to Kadee Couplers
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Dave,
As far as I know, you shouldn’t have any issues using HO Kadee couplers with each other, regardless of their age. The reason for all the different types of Kadee couplers is that different applications and rolling stock manufacturers required Kadee to make many versions that would fit each type. So, for example, a boxer car from Athern would need a different Kadee coupler than that what would be used on a Bachmann steam locomotive because of body style, mounting pocket location & design, floor height, etc.
If you want, you can go directly to the Kadee web page on the internet and ask them specific questions you may have. I’m pretty sure they have a conversion page (they do for N scale) that will match up your equipment/rolling stock with the correct Kadee coupler you’ll need for just about any application.
Hope this helps,
Geof from the US
David, goef is right about the many different types of kadees…..I went kind of another way, 360 rolling cars of all types, from boscars, tankers, grain and so on, all with the kadee no.5 magnetic coupler, this is the most popular of all the kadees, gear box and springs come in each package….I custom built the draft box to fit all the rolling stock, by putting spacers under the box to get the correct height, if the box needed it, using a correct height gauge that can be bought, it sits on the rails. I use household goop contact adhesive, most hardware stores, (purple tube. It works well great cleanup, and can be taken back apart later if need be, allows for positioning, dries tough, but somewhat flexable.Alittle thought can go a long way in this hobby, it took some time but I got the whole layout done, couplers work great. Hope this might help out a little….Herb SR
The type of Kadee coupler required for any rolling stock item is basically determined by the height of the coupler box and its distance from the truck, so there are different heights and lengths of coupler.
There is also the precise scale type, #58, as the standard ones are slightly oversize for the scale.
There are different coupler boxes, as for those required for locos with a long overhang from the truck.
And you can have plastic or metal.
Their coupler height gauge will be very useful if you are going to fit many.
Kadee coupler types:
http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/coupler.htm
Rolling stock conversion list: http://www.kadee.com/conv/holist.pdf
I must warn you: you need reading glasses and good dexterity to do these conversions !