Couplings - realism v operability?

[Tony]

Now they are dam fine sir

 

[The Devonian]

Having 35 items of Aristo-Craft stock and 15 Bachmann Big Hauler stock caused me to standardize on Aristo-Craft couplers. I liked the Bachmann coupler - looks more prototypical, but does develop a weakness after some time. This allows premature uncoupling whilst trains are in motion. :timeout:
The Aristo couplers work well and of course are usually readily available from UK dealers. The only occasion where slight 'surgery' and shimming was necessary was upon two Bachmann 'Annie' front pilots. Not a difficult job however taking only around five minutes per loco.

 

[ge_rik]

I make my own "meat choppers", very fiddly and lots of work but that is what my real railway used so that's what I want to use as well, cost is negligible, thank god I don't charge myself an hourly rate!
http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r531/Whoskin/Chainhooks001.jpg < Link To http://i1170.photobucket....skin/Chainhooks001.jpg
http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r531/Whoskin/Chainhooks002.jpg < Link To http://i1170.photobucket....skin/Chainhooks002.jpg

These look very smart - just what I'm after - but they must take an age to make.............

......... and those link and pin couplers on eBay look very serviceable - though it does sound as if they are a bit fiddly to use.

Yes, I know - I want my cake and be able to eat it. ........

Rik

 

[stockers]

Nice work Budd - they look the bees knees.

 

[Budd]

I make my own "meat choppers", very fiddly and lots of work but that is what my real railway used so that's what I want to use as well, cost is negligible, thank god I don't charge myself an hourly rate!
http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r531/Whoskin/Chainhooks001.jpg < Link To http://i1170.photobucket....skin/Chainhooks001.jpg
http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r531/Whoskin/Chainhooks002.jpg < Link To http://i1170.photobucket....skin/Chainhooks002.jpg

These look very smart - just what I'm after - but they must take an age to make......

The secret is jigs and patience, I will line up all the jigs used to make them and post the photo.

I do sometimes wonder whether using Kadees would be simpler solution??

Wayne

 

[KeithT]

I see that 'pasidump' on Ebay has hand made N/G flats for less than £10 with free p/p.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G-Scale-F...544225?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item23184cd6a1 < Link To http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G-Scale-Flat-Car-Handcrafted-using-Wood-and-Plastic-/

 

[mike]

the beauty off your own line, is that you are the cheif engineer