Coupling Roundhouse Conway Castle to LGB rolling stock

[funandtrains]

On some Roundhouse locos they have a mount for the coupling which will take an LGB loop, you just unscrew their centre buffer and screw on the LGB one.

 

[dunnyrail]

On some Roundhouse locos they have a mount for the coupling which will take an LGB loop, you just unscrew their centre buffer and screw on the LGB one.

I think that was in the early days but I wonder if it could be specified when ordering new?

 

[maxi-model]

I think that was in the early days but I wonder if it could be specified when ordering new?

As I mentioned in post #18, after talking to Roundhouse directly - The coupler mount used on the Conway Castle, and most of their "prototyipcally" derived locos (ex Fowler) does not accept the aftermarket metal loop couplers that are offered to fit the mount used for the dumb centre buffer type : as used on their "freelance" live steam locos and some diesels, like Harlech and Criccieth Castles (yes, older). RH's own reccomendation, when asked, is to use a translator wagon. They did not suggest then it was an orderable option to fit a mount that can be used to fit their "old" dumb centre buffer type. There are a lot of things you would have to alter other than a different mount to make that work, for example laser cut buffer beam appatures and their matched etch metal overlays. You could still try modifiy one to fit or create one as demonstrated in post #14.

 

[funandtrains]

Regner sell centre buffers which work with link and pins or LGB hooks:

Regner Easy Line Buffer Coupling 25109 (pair) - gardenrailways.co.uk

Official Regner live steam UK authorised agent. We stock Train sets, Locomotives, Coaches, Wagons, Track, Line side models and parts and accessories by Regner, Accucraft, LGB, Piko, Pola,etc. We also have a selection of Modelling Tools.

www.gardenrailways.co.uk

 

[David Lewsley]

I'm so sorry it's taken so long to respond to all these messages - I think it just goes to show this is a very diverse hobby, everyone seems to do everything slightly differently, there is rarely a 'one size fits all' solution - which I like

I'm going to go with Maxi's advice - thank you very much, especially for contacting Roundhouse directly that was very kind - and create a translator wagon for now. I acquired a lot of the LGB rolling stock before I really knew what I was doing and I think over time I'll end up replacing it with more detailed, and layout specific rolling stock, slate wagons and tipper trucks as I'm building a mine complex as part of the landscaping. So I'll defer a long term decision on 'coupling' until I've got a better idea of the rolling stock I'll be using long term.

My other engines already have LGB style couplers and I've just started converting them to battery RC so that's another learning curve...

I think an important point someone made is that it depends on realism over practicality, my layout is very much an extension of a landscaped garden - so a garden feature - albeit quite large - I've got no real specific style in mind - although it's loosely based in the Scottish Highlands - hence the 12 tons of granite so far...

I really just want to be able to sit in the garden, reading a book, and watching trains go by...

One day

Thank you all again for the fantastic advice - I'm sure I'll be back for more soon!

 

[dunnyrail]

Much will depend on the journey you make and what you want to achieve. Noting that you just want to watch trains and read a book, perhaps a simple idea may work. If you are going down the route of making more appropriate trains for your Quarry concept, then perhaps centre buffers with a chain may work for you, simple to set up most smaller manufacturers tend to use this system as it is much favored by the 16mm people who their products tend to be focused on. Do not get blinded by the difference in gauge 45/32mm it is relatively irrelevant as many suppliers of kits allow for both gauges, I assume you will be sticking to 45 thus if you scratch build using a scale of 15mm to the foot gives you 3ft gauge a nit unknown gauge for Industrial lines and then there is Irish Nartow Gauge plus the Isle of Man. Here is an appropriate coupler that will work with LGB trains or chain couplings.

RSA46 - Brandbright

Loop Buffer, as used on many industrial locos, using a chain to couple to this or other centre buffer type couplings. The cast buffer is arranged such that the cast in stud fixes at the same height as conventional buffers,…Read more RSA46 ›

brandbright.co.uk

 

[Paul M]

For real ease of running, if all you really want to do is watch your trains travelling around your garden, is to usecas few points as possible, at least on the main line.