KCHahn
Longmont, Co.
Brakeman
Posts:55
Send Message
 | | 03/28/2008 9:32 AM |
| I've got a question, or several, regarding a minor coupler problem I'm having.
I have a USA Train NW-2 that will not couple to any of the freight cars I have - All Aristo Craft.
I'm having to close couplers and couple/uncouple by hand.
My Aristo Craft GP40's couple together nicely, and they couple to all freight cars without problems.
I'm wondering if I can swat the USAT couplers out and replace them with Aristo Craft couplers?
Would I be better off to switch to KD couplers, and what kind of trouble might I have if running outdoors?
Am I better off sticking with the stock knuckle couplers for outdoor use?
Still a very small collection, so a switch to KD couplers on all equipment is possible, since it won't
bankrupt the bank(ME)!!
4 locomotives - 2 USAT(NW-2, ALCo PA) and 2 Aristo Craft(Pair GP40)
4 freight cars - All Aristo Craft - 3 boxcars, 1 2 bay covered hopper
1 caboose - Aristo Craft
1 wedge plow - Aristo Craft
As always, information is much appreciated.
Thanks. | |
Keith
Life Member
Colorado Railroad Museum
www.crrm.org
Member
Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society
www.drgw.org | |
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Torby
1st Class Member
North Chicago 'burbs.
Engineer
Posts:1261
Send Message
| | 03/28/2008 1:05 PM |
| You could do either. Since the great majority of my equipment is Aristo, I just put aristo couplers on the odd 2 pieces.
I've thought about putting body mount KD's. They couple easier. | |
 
Chicago Marathon You don't have to train or run, I'm taking care of that for you. | |
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Fred
1st Class Member
Brakeman
Posts:33
Send Message
| | 03/28/2008 1:09 PM |
| Kieth,
Problem with largescale trains is that the couplers from the different mfgrs don't mate up with those from different mfgrs. To couple a USA car to an Aristo you have to lift up the USA to couple it. I originally starting changing over all my equipment (only 5 engines & 35 cars) to Aristo knuckle couplers as most of my equipment was Aristo, but now am converting all equipment over to KD's as I found that the Aristo's started giving me problems after a little while. Also my LHS sells KD's for less than the Aristo's. Having had KD's while in HO for 40 years I can say that the Largescale KD's work just as well. My railroad is an "operating" railroad therefore good working couplers is a must for optimum enjoyment. If you plan on just running your train around with little or no switching then I wouldn't bother changing couplers. | | | |
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Paul Norton
1st Class Member
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Foreman
Posts:243
Send Message
| | 03/28/2008 3:10 PM |
| Most of the manufacturers’ plastic couplers will get less reliable with age and begin to cause problems. Sometimes a little oil will help, sometimes not. Our club insists on Gauge 1 Kadee couplers on all equipment as we must have reliable, durable and compatible couplers for our operations which often involve more than 60 cars. Offsetting the couplers when dropping a car in a hard to reach spur is a great feature. I find the Kadee couplers easier to couple and uncouple than any of the other manufacturers’ couplers. During my 17 years in the large scale hobby, I can only remember having to replace one broken coupler. | |
Paul Norton
Ottawa Valley GRS | |
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KCHahn
Longmont, Co.
Brakeman
Posts:55
Send Message
| | 03/28/2008 9:29 PM |
| Don't have the most room to dedicate to an outdoor layout.
So, continuous run, with minimal operation may be what I go with.
But, that's liable to change, once I actually get started building and see what I'm able to do.
Maybe the KD couplers are they way to go, especially now, since collection is still fairly small.
If I go the KD route, what couplers required for the following:
Aristo GP40
USA NW-2
USA ALCo PA
Aristo freight cars - 3 boxcars(40 ft), 1 Two bay covered hopper
Aristo caboose - lighted
Aristo wedge snowplow
Still waiting for weather to cooperate, so I can start working outside!
Was near 70* Wednesday, and overnight that same night, it snowed!!
Anyway, information appreciated.
Thanks. | |
Keith
Life Member
Colorado Railroad Museum
www.crrm.org
Member
Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society
www.drgw.org | |
|
Trains
Omaha, Nebr.
Foreman
Posts:217
Send Message
| | 03/29/2008 9:47 AM |
| Keith,
I started off with Aristo couplers, they kept pulling apart with 20 car trains. I switched to KD 831's. They are truck
mounted and are very easy to install. Everything I put them on lined up very good. Aristo cars and engines, USA train
cars and engines and LGB. I am slow switching to body mount couplers.
Don | |
I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die.
I'm in a hurry and don't know why! | |
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Paul Norton
1st Class Member
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Foreman
Posts:243
Send Message
| | 03/29/2008 11:18 AM |
| Keith, add the Kadee web site link to your favorites. http://www.kadee.com/ While there have a look for “Large Scale Conversion List” and “Large Scale Conversions” links under the Conversions header on the Home Page. They not only list what coupler is required, they show how to mount them.
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Paul Norton
Ottawa Valley GRS | |
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Dan Pierce
1st Class Member
South Eastern MA, USA
Foreman
Posts:219
Send Message
| | 03/30/2008 6:02 AM |
| You can start with Kadee's on e one or 2 cars and you will find the Kadee's couple to other brands.
I find the Aristo Knuckles are sometimes weak and break loose, and have swapped those out with some extras I have.
I have never had a problem with the Kadee's.
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