Hello,
We have posted over the last few days lots (and we do mean a lot!) of information on forthcoming products from all manufacturers on our Facebook page. You will find latest announcements from Hornby, Dapol, Bachmann, Heljan ... as well as pictures of all their work in progress. Well worth a look.
As everything is on our Facebook page and just one click away, we are not going to repeat it here. Instead, this week we are going to do things a bit differently and focus on one specific aspect of railway modelling.
If there is one subject that we discuss every week with customers in OO gauge, it has to be coupling. While for most people the coupling system used on ready to run items is good enough, there are a few limitations:
- the tension hook (say Hornby type) coupling is not very good looking (let's call it toy-like)
- the tension hook coupling is very big and intrusive
- the tension hook coupling does not like gradients very much
- you cannot easily remove a wagon in a middle of a rake
- uncoupling and shunting with the tension hook can be cumbersome
Over the years, numerous manufacturers have developed coupling systems to overcome some of the limitations of the tension hook coupling.
For instance, we keep in stock prototypical screw link couplings and 3-link couplings from Romford and Roger Smith. They are wonderfully good looking but are not suitable for any shunting as there is no way to automate the uncoupling.
The best all rounder is the Kadee coupling. This is a buckeye (knuckle) coupling. It looks very much like the real thing (if a bit oversized and not totally prototypical - but on that subject do not tell us you find the tension hook realistic!) and is full of very exciting capabilities:
- they auto-couple
- they can un-couple using a magnet
- they allow you to lift a wagon or coach from the middle of a train without trouble
- they can shunt in un-coupled mode (delayed un-coupling)
This last part is probably the most exciting. What it means is you can un-couple two wagons using a magnet under the track, still move both wagons together and when in the right location, move them separately. You do not need to have magnets everywhere where you might want to un-couple!
The range from Kadee is huge, however it can be simplified quite easily:
- for NEM pockets (most recent rolling stock - say less than 10 year old or thereabout): use #17, #18, #19 or #20 depending on the length required (#17 being the very short one and #20 the longer one)
- if you do not have a NEM pocket, #5 is historically the standard from Kadee. However #148 with whiskers is slightly easier to setup and is now preferred by some modellers.
- accessories are available in the form of jigs, un-couplers (delayed, non delayed, electric) and the all important gauge to make sure all your rolling stock is setup correctly.
While we keep reasonable stock of these items, the range is huge. Any variation you can think of in terms of length and centre position (overshank, undershank, centre) are available on request (usually within a week).
We also stock a few bulk packs of the most common flavours and O gauge version.
We do have some wagons fitted with Kadee couplings in the shop for you to see and test.
Now for some pictures! As usual, click on any of the picture for more details.
Send us an email or give us a call to check availability or to reserve anything, whatever scale you model in. As usual, if we do not have in stock what you are looking for, we will order it for you and you will get it fast (usually within a week if the manufacturer has it in stock). We place weekly orders with most suppliers.
Remember, you can park for free for one hour on the High Street. So no excuse not to come and visit us!
Upstairs Downstairs is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am till 4.30pm, Sunday from 1pm till 4pm. We are closed only on Monday.
Carole & Max
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Upstairs Downstairs
3 Pier Street
Sandown, PO36 8JR
Isle of Wight
Tel: 01983 406 616
http://www.trainshop.co.uk or find us on Facebook
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