Bemo/Eggerbahn coupling standards?

[tebee]

Are there any published standards for the normal 009 coupling/coupler as originated by Eggerbahn and used by Bemo and others ?

I am thinking of starting to make my own and would prefer to get it right . The alternative is just to fit NEM pockets and let people buy Peco ones.

Tom

[B.Meldon]

Good luck finding a single specification for all Tom!

I think I have only seen a single specification given for the Bemo couplings.
This is 6.3mm + or

[Tom Haythornthwaite]

Perhaps we should publish a standard?

[tebee]

And maybe the lack of such a standard is why we have so much problems with them.

[Hugh Norwood]

I'm sure this has been discussed before and at length. I can't really see a "standard" taking off - we'd all fall out with it! :)
One of the things that holds us together is our diversity - and that includes couplings and coupling heights.

I suggest you find a coupling you feel comfortable using and keep to it - and set your own height. Do, however, have a look around what others do and (if they use the same type of couplings - or a compatible one) find out what they use as a coupling height. You'll then reach your own conclusion as to what will work for you.

(I have settled on Greenwich couplings and use the coupling height gauge they make. But there are numerous other couplings in use around the hobby) Oh, and no, not all my efforts are at exactly the same height, but by and large I have no problems.

Sorry if that sounds negative; it's not meant to be...

[tebee]

I know hights have been discussed ( though I can't find that discussion now -  Any one remember if it was on here or NGRM-Online?)

What I am talking about here is the shape and size of the various parts of the coupling E.G. how wide the loop should be or how high the pin.

I know us narrow gauge modelers and 009 ons in particular, tend to be free and independent souls who like to do their own thing - indeed it's one of the reasons I like doing Narrow gauge models. But there are times when standards are a good thing. How would we manage if each manufacturer decided independently what voltage their locos ran at and in which direction ? ( Yes I'm looking at you Eggerbahn)

I'm thinking of making couplings to sell, and as a manufacturer I would feel much more reassured if there was a standard, rather than I have to go round, measuring existing couplings and trying to work out what will work with all of them.

Tom

 

[Tom Haythornthwaite]

I've just found out that we can run opinion polls here.  Shall we do one on coupling preferences?  (This is frighteningly close to what I do for a living.)

[Krizzy]

I do not think another version of the 009 coupling would be the answer. We already have two Bemos, stepped and straight, and the Windle both of comparable size. The Greenwich is favoured by many as there is no soldering required in their make up and the new Peco couplings off their rtr stock are comparable in size to the Greenwich. The older Peco couplings are still available. The DG Couplings come in 2mm scale, 3mm scale, 4mm and 7mm scales. The designer of the DG's recommended the 3mm couplings for 009 use to me personally at an exhibition many years ago. I know some members prefer one of the other size DG's. Only recently this year Robert Thompson (RT Models) has begun producing his version of the coupling with options. He produces a separate 'wider' loop to go on the Greenwich shank. Greenwich and RT Models make coupling height gauges and both are set at 6mm for 009 though the Greenwich gauge has another height specifically for 12mm gauge Irish/IoM models.

Having been an 009 modeller almost from the start I have built up a wide range of rolling stock over the years. During which time I have used probably all or tried each coupling on my model collection. Long ago I came to the conclusion that certain couplings suit certain size or types of rolling stock. For the most part for my small slate wagons cum quarry type stock the DG's are fine. Bemos fitted to slate wagons make them look ridiculous. I fit Bemos and Windles to the larger pieces and the rest which is the vast majority have the Greenwich. I do not run my Welsh quarry wagons alongside with and try to couple up to stock that would look out of place on my Welsh layout.

Regarding coupling height I set all mine whatever the type to 6mm from the rail top to the top of the buffing plate. I also fit loops at one end only primarily to prevent the different loops from interlocking and for hands off uncoupling. Two loops of the same type will also lock together on occasion like being propelled through a reverse curve across points. True there is no set standard for height but the means of achieving it is by using one of the gauges already available.

Roger

[Krizzy]

By the way, you can't blame Eggerbahn for wrong polarity and voltage difference. Eggerbahn went out of business decades ago. Probably most if not all Egger locos are second hand, third or more so, it is more likely someone has tinkered with it. They were not all that reliable when they were new. Those I had always needed attention and have not owned one for decades. I keep wondering why 009ers keep running them. I will now put my tin hat on and retire to the bomb shelter.

Roger

[B.Meldon]

By the way, you can't blame Eggerbahn for wrong polarity and voltage difference. Eggerbahn went out of business decades ago. Probably most if not all Egger locos are second hand, third or more so, it is more likely someone has tinkered with it. They were not all that reliable when they were new. Those I had always needed attention and have not owned one for decades. I keep wondering why 009ers keep running them. I will now put my tin hat on and retire to the bomb shelter.

Roger

Well Roger all the early Egger-bahn locos with the Microperm motor run in the opposite direction to all other N gauge and H0e locos from new.
In other words the left hand rail fed with positive from a controller will give forward motion.
So did the tram locos with the so called

[Retiarius]

By the way, you can't blame Eggerbahn for wrong polarity and voltage difference. Eggerbahn went out of business decades ago. Probably most if not all Egger locos are second hand, third or more so, it is more likely someone has tinkered with it. They were not all that reliable when they were new. Those I had always needed attention and have not owned one for decades. I keep wondering why 009ers keep running them. I will now put my tin hat on and retire to the bomb shelter.

Roger

Well Roger all the early Egger-bahn locos with the Microperm motor run in the opposite direction to all other N gauge and H0e locos from new.
In other words the left hand rail fed with positive from a controller will give forward motion.
So did the tram locos with the so called

[B.Meldon]

Or in fact convert them to DCC control, as I have done with the Eggerbahn steamcoach. You just then programme the decoder to reverse direction  :)

Also if it has a Microperm chassis the motor is only rated at 9v, I think DCC programing can be set to cope with this.
The later Minitrix, Jouef and Mabuchi motors are however 12v.

Brian Meldon

[tebee]

..........
Or in fact convert them to DCC control, as I have done with the Eggerbahn steamcoach. You just then programme the decoder to reverse direction  :)

That's cheating !

[Retiarius]

..........
Or in fact convert them to DCC control, as I have done with the Eggerbahn steamcoach. You just then programme the decoder to reverse direction  :)

That's cheating !

That evolution ..... computers make things better .... or so they tell us!

[tebee]

As I can't find a design or standard for the coupling what I think I will do is design one I think will work and publish that design openly asking for comments and ideas for improvement - rather like the open-source way of programming.

Does this seem like a good idea? If we pool our collective ideas we might end up with  better coupling or even a standard !

Tom