Hi, more advice please! I am building a small 009 layout ( I'm on something like plan R now - it keeps changing) and plan is to have the coaches and other rolling stock in fixed formation rakes with some sort of easy magnetic coupling at the ends of the rake and on the loco's.
Has anyone had any experience in using Dapol Easi-shunt couplings? The short ones - do they fit, are they too long still? Do the tighter curves of the 009 track cause a problem etc!
Using Kato n gauge chassis (103/9,105/10) how would you modify or replace the n gauge couplings supplied to be compatible with the type/height of the standard narrow gauge couplings?
Being a novice And not particularly clever at fiddly things, I need to find an easy solution until my modelling skills improve.
Cheers
Caleb
Hi Caleb.
I've no experience with the Dapol couplings so I can't help you there.
Peco produce a coupling adapter to convert N gauge couplings to 009 couplings, part no.GR101. I've used this with the Kato 110 & 106 chassis, they work quite well, but can be a bit of a fiddle to fit, and whatever the pictures of them show in the catalogues, they do not come as a "ready to fit" component, they need assembly.
For automatic magnetic coupling the Greenwich couplings generally seem to be regarded as the best type, although they do need assembly.
Quote from: Peter Boulter on January 30, 2021, 08:39
Peco produce a coupling adapter to convert N gauge couplings to 009 couplings, part no.GR101.
Whatever you do, Caleb, DO NOT buy the Peco GR101! They were designed way back in the dark ages and are truly dreadful in design and operation. There are plenty of alternatives out there even some newer ones from Peco. However as Peter says, if you decide to standardise on the "Bemo" style then Greenwich are about the best.
As to your initial question I can't help as I have standardised on the Bemo style years ago. Perhaps it's worth doing a Google search or check up on N scale forums as they are more likely to have used them than us.
If you are building the majority of stock yourself from kits, 3D prints or scratch-built then I think you have a free choice of coupling and if you want to go with the Dapol of Microtrains/Kaydee type and it suits the stock then perhaps go for it.
However, if you have or plan to buy RTR stock such as Peco , Minitrains and so on then I think there is a lot to be said for sticking with the de facto standard Bemo type coupling. The Peco RTR stock have replaceable couplings so you should be able to try some Dapol couplings to see how you get on and compare.
Note though if your stock is small-sized then some couplings are going to look overpowering. Items such as Vee skips and the range of Minitrains stock built on bow-ended skip chassis could be thought of as little more than a pair of back to back couplings mounted on wheels. I don't think it is particularly easy to modify them as there is so little chassis to work with.
Quote from: Hobby on January 30, 2021, 08:57
If you decide to standardise on the "Bemo" style then Greenwich are about the best.
Greenwich are excellent to use once fettled, but allow twice as long as you think to make them, don't watch the video, it is too blurry, but download the instruction form their website. They are much easier to use.
The worse bit is bending the Peco track pin which forms the pivot and is a pig to bend. I use some black enameled wire instead now, it is easier to fit, I think that it looks nicer and the loop seems to be able to move about a bit more freely.
The NEM pocket ones can be a bit prone to snap while you are bending the bit to fit in the pocket. I secure each bend with a tiny drop of superglue on a bin head between each flat surface as I go, and if it does snap then it is easy enough to stick back together.