Society free wagon

[Trevor Bulcock]

Hello from a complete novice, I am just starting to build the free wagon kit that came when I joined. Any recommendations as to which coupling to use. I have no other stock yet so compatibility is not an issue.   Thanks Trevor

[Julian Evison]

Hello Trevor and welcome. There are 12 pages on this subject in the forthcoming 009 Handbook, so this is the briefest summary.

Most people use one of three types: hook and loop; Microtrains (sometimes wrongly called Kadees); N gauge Rapido. Of these, hook and loop is the most common and they are appearing on most Ready to Run rolling stock.

There are many suppliers of the hook and loop type and they are generally compatible. As examples look at Peco, Bemo (via Dundas), Bachmann, Greenwich (via Light Railway Stores) and on eBay from suppliers like woodworm2014.

Getting the couplings at a consistent height is most important. Either get a height gauge from Greenwich or use a pieces of RTR rolling stock as a standard and match everything to that.

Good luck.

Julian

[JulienW]

Trevor, whilst compatibility may not be an issue for you now if you'd like to run your stock on someone else's layout then going with the 'popular' choice is no bad thing.

In that respect I'd recommend the 'hook and loop' type as the most widespread and having the most cross-compatibiity with the different types (Bemo, Greenwich, Peco, etc.) if set to the same height. Each have their plus points (small size or ease of use, especially with hands free operation) and downsides (some types need to be built from etches which some people find difficult) and there has been much discussion as to the pros and cons elsewhere on the forum so I don't propose to do through them here.

The microtrains (kadee) and N gauge Rapido (also sometime called the Elise) are only compatible with themselves.

Just to add to Julian's post RT Models make a very good cast resin height gauge that's possibly easier to use than the etched Greenwich one, where its possible not to get the etch perpendicular to the track and your couplings may come out slightly low.

Hope that helps,
Julien

[Trevor Bulcock]

Thanks to both Julian/ens. Your replies have cleared some compatibility questions. I await the next society News,,
Trevor

[B.Meldon]

I should also make it clear that the hook and loop couplings as supplied on all already to run 009 and H0e locos and rolling stock require a lifting ramp to uncouple without manual intervention.
(These are usually known as Bemo or Egger type couplings.)

The Greenwich couplings require a magnet under the track to uncouple without manual intervention.

The two types will couple together, but they need different methods to uncouple.

[Graeme Dunbar]

I found having a couple of key pieces of stock useful as reference items. It used to be harder to identify a 'a rolling stock standard vehicle' for British outline, but with the availability of Peco wagons that might be as good as any. That is not to say RTR manufacturers are consistent, even within their own line of products. However, if it is known that 'X couples and uncouples with Y' (or not) and can be traced back to a known consistent line of RTR stock then hopefully other stock, similarly tested will work with each other.

I've gravitated towards using a Peco L&B van as my 'Standard' and I presume all their similar stock use the same chassis.  Having set up kit or scratch-built stock with whatever jig and it then passes the test of coupling with the 'standard' then hopefully it should work with other 'compliant' stock.

Another related thing is if you intend using long bogie stock and other models with long overhangs. If couplings swing from side to side due to the overhang then that may cause problems. Likewise, long stock may have clearance issues with platforms, bridges and so on. Having a suitable test piece to hand when it comes to layout construction can avoid frustration later.

[clayliner]

I await the next society News,, Trevor

Not the next issue of the monthly News, I think, Trevor, but the forthcoming 009 Society Handbook which is currently being re-written and should appear soon(?)

David.

[Julian Evison]

I await the next society News,, Trevor

Not the next issue of the monthly News, I think, Trevor, but the forthcoming 009 Society Handbook which is currently being re-written and should appear soon(?)

David.

Thanks David. I should have been clearer. The new third edition of the 009 Handbook should, fingers crossed, be available at Narrow Gauge South in April and subsequently through the online shop.

Julian

[Trevor Bulcock]

Thanks, that will save some disappointment when the News arrives.

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Greenwich couplings come in three types.

• CPL1 is the standard glue on one.
• CPL1W is a slightly wider version, which works better on tight radius curves, but is more visible, and CPL3 which is a plug in version

[li]CPL3 is designed for use with NEM "pockets". These are sockets fitted to some stock, such as peco, that allow the couplings to be pulled off and replaced with a different type. You can add your own pockets to other stock, and that can be straight forward, but some people regard that as an unnecessary complication so the stick to the CPL1 glue on ones.
[/li][/list]

Geenwich are great when they work, but they are fiddly to make up and easier to do in batches. However I normally aim for 5 in an hour, but it normally takes longer and my fingers are sore at the end. The instructions show using a peco track pin as a pivot, but I find that difficult to do neatly so I use a few mm of the magnetic wire that comes with the kit.

[Hugh Norwood]

Yes I agree about track pins - vicious little things! I use short lengths of brass handrail wire (0.45mm dia)