Scale Couplers for 1:20.3 Rolling Stock
- Thread starter JohnSol
- Start date
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
I haven't 
but .............. the big issue is vertical movement. Unless your track is perfectly level, there will be some vertical movement, in addition, the couplers can sometimes sag just a small amount.
So, if I reduced the size of the coupler, I may encourage the accidental, automatic coupling.
Aristocraft introduced a sort of ridge in their coupler, so that it was not only locked by the buckeye, but it was also vertically gripped. Bachmann and Accucraft have not followed this rather excellent idea
but .............. the big issue is vertical movement. Unless your track is perfectly level, there will be some vertical movement, in addition, the couplers can sometimes sag just a small amount.So, if I reduced the size of the coupler, I may encourage the accidental, automatic coupling.
Aristocraft introduced a sort of ridge in their coupler, so that it was not only locked by the buckeye, but it was also vertically gripped. Bachmann and Accucraft have not followed this rather excellent idea
JohnSol
Registered
I haven't
So, if I reduced the size of the coupler, I may encourage the accidental, automatic coupling.
Aristocraft introduced a sort of ridge in their coupler, so that it was not only locked by the buckeye, but it was also vertically gripped. Bachmann and Accucraft have not followed this rather excellent idea
Wouldn't 1:32 cars running on the same track have the same problem? Or maybe there's features on 1:32 models that are not found on the 1:20.3 models... I don't know. It's just that the OEM couplers give the Accucraft model the look of a toy. Also, there's a 1:20.3 Precision Scale caboose on Ebay. It appears to have smaller couplers
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Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
To be honest, I don't know. I looked at a Precision Scale caboose (I was wondering whether to buy) and the bogie stretchers concerned me in that I wondered whether there was enough movement for my uneven track.
I'm an expert in badly laid track - it may be that with more carefully laid track, the 1:32 couplers would not have a problem.
The other issue for me is that I mix Accucraft with Bchmann Spectrum 1:20.3 stock, and sometimes they are not a perfect match height-wise.
I'll watch this thread with interest
Homo Habilis
Registered
I have mostly the Bachmann Spectrum 1:20.3 locomotives. I have converted them, and all of the cars (wagons), to use the Kadee
AAR Type "E" #1 Scale couplers.
I use the #1929 Type "E" Coupler Height Gauge (Gauge #1) to ensure proper mating for the couplers.
I run indoors and have not had any issues of them coming uncoupled. Since I'm modeling short line logging these look to my eye to be appropriately sized,
AAR Type "E" #1 Scale couplers.
I use the #1929 Type "E" Coupler Height Gauge (Gauge #1) to ensure proper mating for the couplers.
I run indoors and have not had any issues of them coming uncoupled. Since I'm modeling short line logging these look to my eye to be appropriately sized,
Homo Habilis
Registered
PhiliP
Yes you can, my oversight.
Mark
Yes you can, my oversight.
Mark
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
rough - ish, as some short lines were standard gauge - but in the style of, yes because here in the UK we had very few private standard gauge lines apart from industrial complex sites.
Probably the closest UK equivalent to a US short line would be one of Col Stephens' enterprises.
Fred Mills
Registered
If I was looking for couplers for any North American, 1:20.3 equipment; I'd be looking at the Kadee "G" scale type "E" couplers. The so called Kadee #1 Gauge couplers are better suited to the smaller scales such as 1:29, !:24, 1:22.5, and 1:32 equipment, although only if good solid roadbed is used.
I'm operating a railway, using !:29, 1:22.5, and 1:24 scale equipment and have enjoyed the #1 Gauge, body mount couplers....for over 25 years.
I'm operating a railway, using !:29, 1:22.5, and 1:24 scale equipment and have enjoyed the #1 Gauge, body mount couplers....for over 25 years.
Fred2179G
Registered
Yes. The East Broad Top 3' railroad used 3/4 size couplers, so I used the Accucraft 1/32nd couplers on all my coaches. Never had a problem with uncoupling, although most of the time they ran on live steam tracks that were well-maintained for the $$$ Aster steamers.
JohnSol
Registered
Yes, that is what I was wondering about. Thank you Fred. The flip side of your upbeat answer is.... Apparently Accucraft is sold out of 1:32 scale couplers. Now I'm wondering if there's another supplier of 1:32 scale couplers. Ideally, couplers that would function like the Accucraft 1:20.3 couplers, i.e., operate via a prototype (Accucraft type) cut bar.
...and, thank you for attaching photos of your exquisitely detailed EBT coach.
Fred2179G
Registered
I can't take all the credit. That's an Iron Horse Engraving kit of Miners Coach #5. A very nice kit to build and detail.
Fred Mills
Registered
I must add that the latest Kadee Couplers, the so-called "E" type, look better without the knuckle spring in full view. Those "Cut Levers" on the Accucraft couplers look great, and do operate well, BUT in actual operations, they sure do not like the "BIG" fingers that must use them. The Kadees allow the use of a long, small Philips style screw driver to un couple them, without the need of the magnets. They also have a "Delayed action" feature that when learned can be of great assistance....again, even without the magnets between the rails.
Fred2179G
Registered
Most of the 1:20 Accucraft cars have proper cut levers to the outside of the car which work. I could have put similar ones on my EBT coaches, and they used a special kind which I incorporated on some models.
Sarah Winfield
Registered
What I am trying to establish is whether there is an O rubber ring seal in the cylinders of my Ruby?
I thought I had a set of seals but all that is in the packet is 2 what seem to be small brass rings
Can a member help please?
Thanks
I thought I had a set of seals but all that is in the packet is 2 what seem to be small brass rings
Can a member help please?
Thanks
Fred2179G
Registered
Sarah,
I suggest you start another thread - this one is about couplers.
[And no, the O-ring is usually silicone or teflon, I believe, but I'm not an expert on Ruby's cylinders. Suggest you re-post on the MLS forums where the experts hang out: Live Steam]
JimmyB
Now retired - trains and fishing
She already has, so not sure why the comments by her here.