Charlie, I’m rebuilding my layout. I have been ordering brand new code 83 track.it doesn’t mater what fish plates I use with code 83 or code 100, does it. I bought a lot of engines and cars second hand. Because I was still working on my layout, I didn’t look at them all. I have since found out that one of my engines has the back set of wheel tide on. Do you know where I could get it fixed. In the UK or the States. Finally, I needed to know how to fix couplings but I found your video. Thanks for putting it online. Bob
I wholeheartedly agree with this! Our HO Scale model Railway here in Beaverton, OR, USA requires it's members to use KaDee couplers on all rolling stock and locomotives. It saves so much headache if we need to do an coupler repair during a show because we all have the repair parts. I wish you would have discussed the shelf-pin couplers that KaDee produces. They're great when you have a modular layout or long strings of cars.
Totally agree Anthony, this is a reference video for posterity. I am just starting to understand them for my kit built wagons and need to learn which ones I need. Top job again Charlie 🤩
Charlie, I've been eyeing up Kadee for a while and you've explained more here than everything else I've found so far.... I shall now have a go. Many thanks!!
Charlie, Thank you for your videos. Your knowledge in different aspects of Model Railways is very impressive. Your ability to share that knowledge with other fellow modellers with varying levels of understanding, is even more impressive. Charlie to Model Railway is like Sir David Attenborough to animal documentaries. Brilliant.
Thank you Charlie for these great explanations, I never new what center set meant, now I know how to adjust the height between each cars ;) love the Union Jack pin by the way :)
Hi Charlie I started using Kadee couplings years ago. With a fair bit of stock I set up a few wagons with one Kadee only. I used them as transition wagons and converted the rest one at a time. As a teenager then funds were limited. Also the other end of the guage can be used to work out the thickness of the packing required. Love your videos. Paul from Zillmere
Very useful video. I have found that Kaydee pins can strike point tie bar mechanisms and rip the coupling out of the NEM socket. Some people snip the pin off but bending it upwards makes better sense. Yes, tension locks are rubbish - I frequently have unscheduled slipped coaches with those!
Great! Thanks for producing this. For the information of anyone worrying about old stock with "non-NEM" couplings to change, around half of my vehicles fit this description, some being around forty years old. Yes, there's some surgery involved, but it is relatively easy.
Thank you Charlie that was very helpful indeed your right on all counts some of these firms just sit on the fence, that's how we lost our motor cycle industry .well you have sold me Charlie i will be swapping over a bit at a time. Thank you.
Thank you Charlie for a fantastic, clear and informative video on these couplings. I'm just starting to build up stock etc to start a layout and this has been a fantastic help. Thank you from a cold and wet Scotland
Thanks Charlie That has to be the most informative video of this minefield there is , gives me a bit more confidence in changing my couplings Cheers Keith
From an Australian who uses Kadees all the time, you have explained these rather well. I use the Kadee NEM socket couplers on my few European locomotives, much improving functionality. Also anyone with a fleet of coal wagons certainly needs a bulk pack, they do get cheaper with the larger sized packs. ;) And finally, if you move wagons around to a club often, springs can come out more frequently, but is a super minor issue if you pack the models well.
Thanks for the information. I have not gotten into changing couplers yet and have not looked into anything about couplers myself, you are the only the second person to talk about the kadee guage. The first video I watch said that you should just have the two couplers touch but not connect. Then to see if they are at the correct height you look at the center line on the car and the center of them height guage should be in the same plane. To un-couple them you can also use a stick like the one you used at the beginning by inserting it into the couple and giving it a small twist.
Great video! When I was big into NTrak I also used Unimate couplers for long drags of coal cars. Coal cars are usually not individually switched.. So, I had a 5 car set with Unimates between the cars and Kadees on the end cars. It made it cheaper to equip 5 cars strings with couplers. In operations the theory was each 5 car string was never separated. That worked well.
Hi Charlie as always a very informative video . I agree totally that something as important as coupling the UK has not come that far forward since when I had my first train set 40+ years ago. I don't have tight curves but find the small tension locks cause derailments or unwanted uncoupling. So I have changed to putting mid size tension locks on loco and first wagon/coach. And there is not even a UK standard for tension locks either ..
Great video, you did a great job of explanation of Kadee the are the best, in the states Kadee have what is called a horn hook coupler that comes on most cars but best manufacturers have turned to their version of kadee now but we still convert over the kadee as they work the best. Now n scale is a whole different game....thanks for sharing....Jack 👍
Charlie, this video has been a total eye opener with regards to the different types and heights etc, I’ve bought a few packs of NEM kadee’s but not fitted any yet, I’ve saved this video for future reference, keep up the good work
Well done Charlie. Excellent presentation. You can use double sided tape to manipulate your NEM couplings and stop coupler droop. You can also use it to adjust the height of the NEM pocket. Not perfect but its cheap and effective. You need the one with a thicker backing. The odd washer under a coupling pocket can also adjust height.
Awaiting my first 148 packet from Kadee right now - along with a bunch of new metal wheels and washers based on your last video regarding fixing those first. Thanks for your expertise, Charlie!
Thanks for the good videos. Kadee used to use a bronze spring (copper colour) in the gear box. About 10 years ago they began making the ones with the wire whisker springs but also continued making the old ones. You mentioned getting some #5s, they have the bronze springs. The equivalent with the whiskers is #148.
I love your vids Charlie, and this is really useful info that has got me considering automatically switching all my stock and locos to Kadee when I can set up a proper little railway once again when I've got the sheltered, insulated and powered space to do so in a shed.
Hi Charlie Another great video about the kadee coupling which I have been using for about 20 years. Couple of thing that maybe worth adding on your next video is the under-track magnet that can be installed on the building of your layout. I’m in agreement with you that some locomotives and rolling stock are not easy to replace the old tension lock coupling and replace it with a kadee. When I have to use the tension lock I remove one of the hooks which makes it easier to uncouple, in the case of my layout it was at the platform end where I wanted to detach the locomotive. My method was to install the Heathcote Electronics uncoupler which uses a servo motor complete with electronics where you are able to adjust the height it pushes clear plastic strip, the speed it moves upwards and the duration of time it remains up to move your locomotive away. Keek up the good work and it was nice to say hello to you at Warley Terry
Great video as always Charlie. Really enjoyed learning more about KDs. I have a big fleet of stuff all with tension locks and have wondered about fitting some with KDs in future. Thanks
One of the greatest advancements in model railroading. In the States we had "slide hook" couplers... they're our version of toy couplings like your tension locks. unreliable things that are almost impossible to couple onto while on a curve and a pain in the arse to uncouple. The magnet uncoupling is only useful for a hard to reach spot on your layout, otherwise just use a cocktail stick (no need to lift the car up) so you can uncouple anywhere on the track you'd like. Now KaDees aren't perfect but they definitely are better than other options. Cheers from the States Charlie!!
Just watched the video and never realised that UK outline manufacturers had such an issue with NEM 362 height. I moved to continental HO and discovered NEM pockets and ROCO close couplers in 1989 and never looked back. I now run stock with Roco close couplers in the rake and Kadees on locos and at the end of rakes. I have had no issues with pocket height across an assortment of manufacturers including Roco, Electrotren, Mabar and Mehano. The use of Kadees on Locos has allowed me to chuck Atlas and Athearn into the mix........! I am looking forward to the next video. I am always surprised at exhibitions the lack of 'grown up' couplings on otherwise exceptional layouts and stock. Love the channel and have subscribed.
Hi Charlie, I really do like watching your videos. Thank you for putting so much useful stuff online for us to watch. A quick question please. I was watching one of your videos the other night, I think it was this one where you mentioned about using F5 to get both the coupling sound and the uncoupling shuffle. So I tried it on a couple of my ESU Lok 4 loco's, and nope they didn't automatically shuffle. I'm going to guess there's a CV to set to get this working. Any ideas please?. Many thanks.
Great video. I took the plunge and put some #19 NEM socket Kadee couplings on some Hornby BR Mk1 coaches. They work great and look fantastic - far better than the tension lock and huge gap between coaches. I am planning on doing some more. Would you be able to do a video showing how to convert without NEM pockets or with the wrong sort of pocket (older Hornby for example) wagons/coaches/locos to the correct NEM pocket type/height etc. Love the channel.
Here in the US we will sometimes use thin shim washers between the car and the truck to being the coupler more in line with the standard height. Sometimes you can take the center mount coupler (the only ones I have ever used) and bring the couplet up to the proper height. I have had to file off a little of the mounting nub (?) where the truck is screwed into the body of the car to lower the coupler. The low and high mount would sometimes fix the problem but is you need just a little adjustment, you might use the above mentioned system. Again I feel that the best action of the KD is the ability to set out the cars and pull away from them leaving them spotted where you want...
Thanks for the demo, Charlie. I have long hated the tension lock couplings and remember with some fondness the old Hornby Dublo ones, provided they were of metal construction and not plastic. They were unforgiving of uneven track and trains would split on excessive undulations, but vehicles could be easily lifted out as with Kadee's. Maybe we could persuade Dominic Cummings to take it up with the industry as he seems to get his way with everything!
Great explanation - the Dapol easi shunt couplings I suppose are the UK N gauge equivalent. Springs do come out and I have spent many an afternoon trying to fit replacements - no mean feat in N gauge. Do Kadee produce N gauge versions? Cheers Euan
Nice video Charlie. We get the same issue in N gauge. Recently bought some Dapol knuckle couplers for nem sockets only to discover that the Dapol coaches I had bought “new” did not have me sockets. Crazy
You are quite correct it is about time there is an industry wide standard not only for the fitting of NEM pockets but height and the style of tension lock couplings. There is a group of us here in France who meet up and run our stock on each others layouts and my D600 Warship in particular does not couple well the carriages with the standard Hornby supplied coupling. The couplings on both vehicles are the standard couplings supplied in the box from new.
A very helpful video, thank you. I recently purchased some Kadee couplings from the states and encountered the same issue of different height nem pockets. Good to know some surgery is possible to remedy.
When I ran US prototypes in both HO and N, I always used Kadee"s as they were so easy to fit. Now I'm back with UK OO and the coupling issue is a nightmare. I need to bite the bullet and equip my locis and rolling stock with these wonderful couplings, but the irregular heights was an issue Now I know what to do so thank you!
I use tension locks, just beacuse its easy for me. But i remove one hook on the end of rolling stock so its just a loop. That way I can lift locos off really easy to swap them about or add and remove more rolling stock. Works very well I find.
Another marvellous video Charlie. You have a wonderful knack of explaining things in easy to understand terms. It's truly a gift. I immediately switch all my stock with NEMs to Kadees but have so far baulked at changing the non-NEM stock. You've inspired me to 'have a go' when I can next get to a shop (we're in week three of another COVID lockdown in Sydney right now). I took the opportunity to check out McKinley Railway and my head exploded at the money being spent there! It's truly epic in scope but my goodness, how much must it have all cost?!
Excellent Charlie I have noticed that some modellers have been painting the trip pins on their KD’s to resemble air hoses. Black with a small dab of silver at the end to represent the actual metal coupling.Always enjoy your subject matter cheers.
Greetings from Wisconsin! I've just subscribed. In the US, the Kadee-style couplers have taken over nearly completely. When I was young most kits and ready-to-run cars and locos came with "NMRA" type couplers, which were hideous looking. All "serious" modellers replaced them with Kadee types. Since Kadee's patents timed out, other manufacturers now make that style, but usually in plastic and not with the variety of types made by Kadee. My layout is a shunting layout and I've used small homemade blades on sticks to do the uncoupling, quite satisfactorily. Cheers. PS. The original Kadees had a straight narrow pin that was less reliable.
@@ChadwickModelRailway I look forward to more videos. By the way, when I was VERY young, besides NMRA and Kadee couplers there were also Mantua couplers. These had a ring and hook, similar to couplers I see on British models. Mantua was a company that made HO models but is no longer around. Cheers.
Charlie, I thoroughly enjoy your videos and Chadwick Railroad. In the US most HO trains come standard with with KD Couplers, however I Model in N Scale (1-160). There are two main types of couplers found on N Scale Rolling stock, most older locos and cars have Rapido Couplers, they are large and totally not prototypical at all, and have been around since the start of N Scale. Most new rolling stock comes with Knuckle Couplers, primarily Micro Trains Couplers, formerly KD N Scale. The Brothers separated the company. There are also several other manufacturers making N Scale Knuckle Couplers, including Atlas, Bachmann, and Arnold - Hornby. Those mentioned work pretty well together. The Hornby Couplers are the most prototypical and best looking of the Couplers but need a bit of filing to work reliably. The Micro Trains couplers are the only ones that have conversion kits to fit just about every make and model of rolling stock and locos, they also sell replacement trucks with Couplers mounted to them, as does Atlas. I have been modeling in N Scale for over 40 years and set it aside about 15 years ago until 2 years ago when I found out that my then 10 year old Grandson was into trains, so I pulled it out and set it up and we have been running trains on it ever since. I also converted most of my cars and locos over to Knuckle Couplers and have purchased additional equipment, some with Knuckle Couplers and others that I have converted, as far as I am concerned the KD Couplers are the only way to go. By the way they also sell larger Uncoupling Magnets that are mounted under the track where the cork roadbed should be, they should be able to uncouple your cars that that have the higher mounted Couplers. Barry Broyles
Wow Barry, what a great comment. You clearly know your stuff regarding N gauge rolling stock. Good luck with your layout in the future. Regards Charlie.
I’m tempted to make the jump. I have 3 Kadees scattered around and will soon buy some more for the ends of coach/wagon rakes and locos. As for the intermediate couplings between the coaches, I’ve settled on the Bachmann pipe style close couplers.
Another awesome vid Charlie, I am in the throws of converting to Kadee myself and have run some wagons so far without any issues of uncoupling in transit (like some of the old Lima couplers eek. There is also to throw another spanner in the works a rotary coupler, yes these look like Kadee and act like them but they also rotate in their "gear box" for people who want to use something like the walthers rotary dumper, rather than uncoupling each wagon. Keep up the great work and yes McKinley Railway when you first mentioned it, amazing layout :).
Have to say, I have been using KayDes for several years, I found it all a bit of a headache to start with but once you get your head around it, it all becomes clear. It's amazing what a difference they make to the look of a rake of 30 wagons, don't be afraid of mixing up lengths on one wagon. I put a short coupling on one end and a medium on the other and as long as the corresponding wagon has the opposite side you can get them even closer without the dreaded buffer lock.
Hello Charlie A while ago you did a video on 3D printed 3 link couplings. I liked these so ordered some. You can use the offset ones to couple the incorrect height nem pockets to the correct height ones and just use Kadees on the end wagons. This also saves some costs on Kadees. As you suggested I make the wagons up in rakes of 3, 4 or 5.
One of the reasons I model American, scale couplings! 😁 You can still get the metal height gauge. Remember though don't use it on live track. The Americans don't use NEM cause all the stock and locos use gearboxes. If you want to uncouple without the magnets, go to your local Wetherspoons, have a Burger and a pint and use the skewer as an uncoupling tool. Works for me every time!
Great video Charlie. I went to look at my Walthers and Athearn box cars to see how close they couple as I want to buy several for the Airfix tanker and silo wagons I have built as they work well aesthetically on those in my view. I will stick with the 3 link couplings on my mineral wagons as they look more in keeping. I did pick up the KD electromagnetic coupler at a train fair in the 90s when things cost a few Pounds, so am curious now to see how it can all work. I think I will look at that starter pack 1030 you mention and maybe an economy pack as I have about 20 wagons to kit out. Thanks again for a great video
@@ChadwickModelRailway Small update, after MUCH research, I bought several packs of the 146, #19 #20 and #5's plus the height gauge and gearboxes as I picked up a 25 pair pack of Bachmann EZ Mate couplers while surfing. My added fun (not) being based in France is finding sellers that ship at a fair cost and they hv a smart website that auto deducts the VAT. Anyway its been an education and first tests on the Airfix kits look promising. Ramble over. Cheers PS the Over and Under (set) refers to the relative shank position to the back of the buckeye head when viewed in side elevation 🙃
A pencil... a graphite pencil can also be used to rub/mark where a dry lube can be used, i.e. coupler swing movement, axle points and chambers... doing a little "shaving" of a pencil as such (especially wooden or basic No.2 pencils), since lead was removed from manufacturing of pencils, all the pencils that replaced them can be used. It's the same graphite as is found in that tube of "Greas em"... and, the pliers are called "Coupler Pin Adjusters" and are sized for "N" "HO" and "O" scale coupler pins-to tighten the "curve", whence the three sized-type end. To widen that curve, you must flip handles so as to not bend down the knuckle part of the knuckle coupler. John Kamloops, BC Canada
A most informative video, thank you for taking the time to explain all that you did. It has helped me in my endeavors to make more informed decision on changing out my couplers. I'm from the states and all my equipment is at least 40 years old, and all I have is hook horn couplers. At the moment I cannot justify buying a whole set of Katie couplers to replace my hook horn couplers. Price is certainly something that we've all had to deal with and when you're on a fixed budget it makes it even more imperative to way the pros and cons. Thank you again for the video, I am one that really appreciate your effort.
Thanks for this video, Charlie. I must have watched it a dozen times, and have wanted to give Kadees a go since I first saw them, but was worried that they just wouldn't work on my combination of sketchy track laying and low end rolling stock. However, I bought a couple of different sized NEM variants, and some of the traditional gearbox type Kadees and experimented, and I have to say they are brilliant. I may have been lucky, but generally I've found NEM heights have been spot on or very close. And for non-NEM wagons, the gearbox Kadees have gone in with little work needing to be done. Without the clear explanation in this video though, I'd have been stuck, and honestly would never have bothered trying it. I have also tried the Hunt couplings, and have had some good results on rakes of coaches by having strategically placed Kadees where I might want to split a train up, or where it will couple with a loco, and then used the Hunt couplings in between. Thanks again for the excellent content!
I think we sing from the same song sheet on this one Andrew. I will certainly use magnetic couplings between coaches and Kadee’s at the ends. Regards Charlie
I have only just started in the hobby and love what you do. Still not as much fun as the Air Arm but hey. No pressure but I noticed when you rolled the carriages some of them made that rattling noise that you explained was wheel flange. I have found wheels on the web but how do I know which type?
Wonderful video Charlie. I think I shall look into investing in some of these for myself. You did a great job at explaining how they work. Looking forward to part 3. GWR
Hello Charlie, When I first decided to get into model railways I went to a few of my friends who have layouts, most of whom ran Hornby locos and Hornby rolling stock. One of the first things I noticed were the ugly couplers and also the difficulty they had uncoupling one wagon from another. Then I saw a layout where all his stock had been converted to Kadee couplers, so it was a very easy decision to go down the Kadee path little by little because as you rightly pointed out it is not a cheap exercise. Luckily for me I don`t have a large layout, hence I have never had the need to run long trains, so it is not costing me an arm & a leg to convert to Kadee couplers, a decision I have not regretted. I will look forward to your next video. Cheers Greg
I'm with you Charlie on Kadees. I'm going to modify my stock. The only problem I'm having is mounting the whisker coupling in the gearbox. Can I get the top to clip on - can I hell! What's the trick? Does the top go on with the small lip towards the coupling or away from it?
I use only #158, #146, #118, & #119's. I have always modified my draft gears to accept only these because I am not dealing with the centering springs, weird boxes, etc. Everything runs perfect for years now!!
@@ChadwickModelRailway I hate to hear that & I know my friends have the same issues. I am an aviation engineer & I am always looking to improve things. I really do not take anything at face value if that makes any sense-lol!
Charlie, a quick comment on your mention of using #5 Kadees for one of your locos, the #148 that you showed in the video is the whisker equivalent of the #5. Also, if you can adjust all your rolling stock so that they can use centerset couplers, you might like to think about using the semi-scale #158, also a whisker spring shank. Also, over here (I am a transplanted Brit) many modelers remove the coupler pin and use a wooden skewer for uncoupling. When operating our layouts we often have two man crews, engineer and brakeman/conductor. The latter has the skewer to uncouple where ever required, more prototypical.
You can mix and match most types of Kadee's depending on what rolling stock you use as each has a different coupler box some bigger or smaller, wider, narrower etc... You may find you need 1 coupler on the front a car then need a different for the back to make it all hook up. Some of these couplers are down right dastardly in putting them together and the included instructions are usually very vague especially pertaining to the springs. Great brand and they have something for everything. Nice video thank you.
Yes you can mix them, but it is somewhat of a nightmare trying to get the heights exactly right. it really is a case of trial and error. Regards Charlie
Interesting video Charlie .Totally agree with your comment about the couplings in the UK . With the horrendous prices manufacturers are now imposing on us surely its not to much to ask for a decent looking coupling.
Thanks Charlie, this video made me feel much better - "a problem shared" I guess. I am converting stuff to Kadees and I love them. However, like you the differing heights of new stock NEM pockets is doing my head in! I have just bought a new Bachmann Prairie and had to resort to fixing the KD to the bottom of the MEN socket to get it right... argh!!!! As an aside I have now successfully converted and old Lima warship to Kadees (as well as a cd motor) and it looks so much better.
Magic Thanks Charlie I thought I was The only one having coupling nightmares. I am installing kds slowly on everything As a reply to your comment on costs of installing on all stock I form permanent rake of coaches or wagons Using something similar to Bachmann's permanent couplings maybe, with a kd at each end. Your idea of a kd at one end and a tension lock at the other is clever. I have Hornby Castle with sound that looks excellent with a rake of Bachmann Mk1s but even with NEM s could not Get the kids to line up so got an extra Bachmann BG and put kids one end and tension lock The other.. Can be removed easily to couple the rake to what does line up. This also solves another problem , using permanently coupled rakes. I installed an uncoupling magnet at the buffer stops of my terminus to allow a pilot to back onto the arrived train and remove The stock, leaving the loco then to back out. All ok until you put a rake of coaches down there ,all kdcoupled, ready to depart with the Loco obviously at the other end and it departs minus the last coach. Love DCC. Love NEM. All problems can be solved especially in this sort of forum. Compared to my 1960\1970 triang\Hornby that always needed a push over the points and crossings I am a very happy retiree. Well done Charlie Regards Howard
Top episode Charlie I been through trying to work it out years ago you video would help a lot of people out who are just starting with them top job again as always keep it up
Great video Charlie, these how to videos are invaluable as I get back in to the hobby. I seem to recall that back in the late 60's my Hornby Dublo models had an open coupling similar to the KDs and that the tension lock type were on Triang. Shame if UK modeling went the wrong way back then. (Memory could be flawed!)
Nothing wrong with the memory ( not unless mine has gone as well)....In fact if I dig long enough in the loft I could fine some, along with a converter truck with Triang at one end and Dublo at the other
Thank you for the video. As you mentioned, the Kadee design is designed to look like the Buckeye coupler. The line is quite extensive. This variation not only allows different shank length, for various mounting designs. They have different variations of the Buckeye design. One example is a shelf coupler. Here in North America, they are used on tank cars (wagons). The reason is because on uneven track, the knuckles can bypass. If that happened, then the adjoining car could puncture the tank of its neighbor. This could be very hazardous if the cargo is a dangerous material. Another variation is the tight lock. These are used on some locomotives, passenger stock, and rotary dump coal cars. Kaydee have a not as extensive line of “scale” couplers. They are smaller, and more in scale with 1:1 couplers. They might be good if your equipment is for display, or if the track and baseboard are extremely level. For reliability sake, the standard size is what I use.
Hi Charlie, the #20 extra long couplers are underset. If you have a look at the Kadee homepage it gives you the exact dimensions and it specs. But you are right, all nem couplings are only available as underset. Regards, Mark.
Cor just like my old Hornby three rail couplings from the 1950s. (Which I still have I might add), Never liked Triang then for the reasons you mentioned seems like nothing has improved in all those years. Just starting the hobby again thanks for the information Charlie.
Charles, Charles, Charles.... I've been back and forth about swapping to Kadees for a while now - not necessarily for the 'auto uncoupling' - but because I think they look nicer than tension lock, cause less derailments and are stronger than the magnetic Couplings I have at the moment, while nice they do come apart with heavier longer trains... So it's off to camp Kadee we go! Using NEM ones, £10 for two sets... Thankfully I've only got around 10 wagons 😁👍
Great video Charlie! I’m in the process of changing all my stock to Kadee couplings, and have come across all the issues you’ve highlighted. I’m so frustrated with all the differentiations between the manufacturers myself, and am gradually working through them, by several different methods. Stiff upper lip and all that, I’ll get there!
HI Charlie, you said in your video on freightliner Kadee conversions in Vid 81 you used glue to stick on the gearboxes. A lot of reviews I have read say that despite different glues, their bond was not permenant. My question please is what glue did you use and have they stayed stuck? Thanks
Charlie have you experimented with the the magnets? I don’t like the slab between the tracks and wondered if you’d tried other methods. Really enjoy your stuff, yes I do subscribe.
Yes I have always hated those “Hornby/Triangle tension lock couplings. They never looked real and the coaches were always too far apart as you demonstrated with the container flats. One would have thought by now that Hornby would have “Grown-Up” and installed knuckle couplings, similar to the Kadee couplings.
The issue is compatibility, now all their current and past ranges are based around the traditional couplings or something compatible and it would cause a lot of confusion to change it after such a long time.
Hi Charlie. Excellent video as always. I have some Kadees on order and was experimenting with getting the shuffle to work on a lenz silver plus which I know you use in some of your locos. Do you know of anywhere that has the cv settings to do this please? The main issue I had was allocating to a suitable function key as I think setting cv145 to 1 and cv146 to 2 controls the motor. I have searched the internet in vain. I appreciate this is a very particular request so it’s not a problem if you don’t have the numbers to hand or the instructions you used. Looking forward to the next video. Thanks. Alan
No problem Charlie. Thanks for the reply. I had a little experiment this morning and managed to get it working by systematically changing some values so I just need the Kadees to arrive now to really try it out. If anyone else asks the same question please feel free to point them in my direction. Thanks again. Alan
Hi Charlie. Interesting video about the Kadee's. Personally dont use them myself as you say, the hieght problem and number of different couplings types in this country is a mind field. I have ripped everything out and started a fresh and use Sprat & Winkle (looking forward to the next instalment on these) they are good for kitbuilt models as well as RTR.i only fit the " hook" to one end of each wagon. They are impossible to fit to bogie diesel loco's so just use the bar with a couple of double ended wagons to act as a barrier wagon. Cheers Colin
I've used them for years and love them. A4s ,class 33, class 66 , mk1 coaches for example do in real life have buckeye couplers so I'd argue that they are sort of prototypical. I don't use the magnetic uncoupling system so I cut off the bar completely to make them look even less obtrusive. I'm often asked to make a video like this but ,never found a way of explaining properly the problems encountered. Viewers tend to ask what number do I use for a certain type of wagon and of cause its not that simple. Great video.
Kadee's are excellent and in the land downunder we use them on any rollingstock. One of the best methods of fitting is to body mount and that is usually no problem on 2ft radius or greater. I see you have done that and it does work well. You are correct when you talk about British outline stock not having a real standard and it would be good if they did. Perhaps it goes back to when they used to be called Toy Trains instead of Model Railways. Thanks for demonstrating the Uncouple Shuffle as I knew it was the sound but did not know that it included the "Ease Up" and the "Move off or away" as we call them in the real shunting world in Australia, as an actual movement for the loco. Makes you wonder why ESU would include it but I guess even with Tension Lock you do need to do a similar move to uncouple with them. Have you ever thought of installing a Tension Lock uncoupler next to the Kadee Magnet?
Another well done video, Charlie! Kadee couplers are the standard on my layout (well.... what WILL be my layout if I ever get the track down! ). There are other companies that manufacture metal knuckle couplers, but noone else has any where close to the variety that Kadee has. Avoid, at all cost, the plastic knuckle couplers! They will break at the worst possible moment, such as when your locomotive is hauling a long, heavy train up a grade. Then you have a backwards runaway! As Yoda from "Star Wars" might have said "End well, that will not."
Hello Charlie, Very good video. Have used these couplings on all my stock. Could not agree more with your comments on the lack of standardisation on modern NEM pockets. With old stock you would expect to have to play with shims to adjust the height of the coupling but not with standard NEM. In extreme cases I have had to cut away the fixing for a droopy NEM pocket and use wiskered couplings. Keep up the good work
Maybe the best in-depth look at and explanation of KaDee couplers I have seen. They have a myriad of ultra-realistic couplings.
Thanks Anthony, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it.
Charlie, I’m rebuilding my layout. I have been ordering brand new code 83 track.it doesn’t mater what fish plates I use with code 83 or code 100, does it. I bought a lot of engines and cars second hand. Because I was still working on my layout, I didn’t look at them all. I have since found out that one of my engines has the back set of wheel tide on. Do you know where I could get it fixed. In the UK or the States. Finally, I needed to know how to fix couplings but I found your video. Thanks for putting it online.
Bob
I wholeheartedly agree with this! Our HO Scale model Railway here in Beaverton, OR, USA requires it's members to use KaDee couplers on all rolling stock and locomotives. It saves so much headache if we need to do an coupler repair during a show because we all have the repair parts. I wish you would have discussed the shelf-pin couplers that KaDee produces. They're great when you have a modular layout or long strings of cars.
Totally agree Anthony, this is a reference video for posterity. I am just starting to understand them for my kit built wagons and need to learn which ones I need. Top job again Charlie 🤩
Excellent I've saved this to watch later, I'm glad you did this as you are very easy to listen to and a good teacher.
Kev, you’re too kind. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards Charlie
Thanks for your knowledge and insight charlie , we as beginners appreciate you ! Carry on ! 😂
Thanks Dennis, that’s most kind. Regards, Charlie.
Charlie, I've been eyeing up Kadee for a while and you've explained more here than everything else I've found so far.... I shall now have a go. Many thanks!!
Thanks Eddie, they are a very useful product, I like them.
Charlie, Thank you for your videos. Your knowledge in different aspects of Model Railways is very impressive. Your ability to share that knowledge with other fellow modellers with varying levels of understanding, is even more impressive. Charlie to Model Railway is like Sir David Attenborough to animal documentaries. Brilliant.
What a heartwarming comment Raj. Regards Charlie.
Another great video showing the pros and cons of these couplings. Very informative and helpful as usual, thanks a lot Charlie!
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it TM
Thank you Charlie for these great explanations, I never new what center set meant, now I know how to adjust the height between each cars ;) love the Union Jack pin by the way :)
Thanks Robin, you’re far too kind. Regards Charlie
Thank you very much for buying an American product, And, Greetings from the USA.
You’re most welcome, Michael. Regards, Charlie.
@@ChadwickModelRailway Thank you very much.
Hi Charlie
I started using Kadee couplings years ago. With a fair bit of stock I set up a few wagons with one Kadee only. I used them as transition wagons and converted the rest one at a time. As a teenager then funds were limited. Also the other end of the guage can be used to work out the thickness of the packing required.
Love your videos.
Paul from Zillmere
Thanks Paul, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards Charlie.
Couldn't agree more, Kadee's really are breath of fresh air and fun to fit and use.
Thanks Malcolm, too true.
Very useful video. I have found that Kaydee pins can strike point tie bar mechanisms and rip the coupling out of the NEM socket. Some people snip the pin off but bending it upwards makes better sense. Yes, tension locks are rubbish - I frequently have unscheduled slipped coaches with those!
I couldn’t agree more James.
Great! Thanks for producing this. For the information of anyone worrying about old stock with "non-NEM" couplings to change, around half of my vehicles fit this description, some being around forty years old. Yes, there's some surgery involved, but it is relatively easy.
We all love to improve our stock Peter. And good luck with yours. Regards Charlie.
Thank you Charlie that was very helpful indeed your right on all counts some of these firms just sit on the fence, that's how we lost our motor cycle industry .well you have sold me Charlie i will be swapping over a bit at a time.
Thank you.
I don’t blame you Tony, my freight wagons are the most important ones, whereas my coaches I will probably switch to magnetic couplings.
@@ChadwickModelRailway thanks again Charlie
Greetings from the States! Charlie your video has helped me solve my coupler height issues with my roster, thank you!
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video Quentin and found it useful.
Thank you Charlie for a fantastic, clear and informative video on these couplings. I'm just starting to build up stock etc to start a layout and this has been a fantastic help. Thank you from a cold and wet Scotland
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it LC.
Thanks Charlie That has to be the most informative video of this minefield there is , gives me a bit more confidence in changing my couplings Cheers Keith
Thanks Keith, I’m pleased that you enjoyed it.
From an Australian who uses Kadees all the time, you have explained these rather well. I use the Kadee NEM socket couplers on my few European locomotives, much improving functionality.
Also anyone with a fleet of coal wagons certainly needs a bulk pack, they do get cheaper with the larger sized packs. ;)
And finally, if you move wagons around to a club often, springs can come out more frequently, but is a super minor issue if you pack the models well.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video mate. Even though you’re already an enthusiast of these couplings.
Such a simple and amazing setup for a 1950s invention, and theyre dirt cheap luckily too
Yes a very worthwhile investment.
Thanks for the information. I have not gotten into changing couplers yet and have not looked into anything about couplers myself, you are the only the second person to talk about the kadee guage. The first video I watch said that you should just have the two couplers touch but not connect. Then to see if they are at the correct height you look at the center line on the car and the center of them height guage should be in the same plane.
To un-couple them you can also use a stick like the one you used at the beginning by inserting it into the couple and giving it a small twist.
Thanks Kyle, a good tip.
Great video! When I was big into NTrak I also used Unimate couplers for long drags of coal cars. Coal cars are usually not individually switched.. So, I had a 5 car set with Unimates between the cars and Kadees on the end cars. It made it cheaper to equip 5 cars strings with couplers. In operations the theory was each 5 car string was never separated. That worked well.
Sound advice thanks mate. I was aiming at triplets of wagons.
Hi Charlie,
Kadee couplings do look a great deal better.
Once again very well explained.
Thanks Andrew, much appreciated. Regards Charlie.
Hi Charlie as always a very informative video . I agree totally that something as important as coupling the UK has not come that far forward since when I had my first train set 40+ years ago. I don't have tight curves but find the small tension locks cause derailments or unwanted uncoupling. So I have changed to putting mid size tension locks on loco and first wagon/coach. And there is not even a UK standard for tension locks either ..
I can only agree. The situation is dreadful.
You're the best to explain everything, thanks Charlie!
Don’t make me blush MH.
Been using them for like 20 years between me and dad. Love them I've tried cheaper options but always come back to these in the end.
The only sensible option I don’t blame you.
Great video, you did a great job of explanation of Kadee the are the best, in the states Kadee have what is called a horn hook coupler that comes on most cars but best manufacturers have turned to their version of kadee now but we still convert over the kadee as they work the best. Now n scale is a whole different game....thanks for sharing....Jack 👍
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Jack
Love this video, Now I know what Kadee is all about. Their signage doesn't really explain what and how they work. A really great tip.
Thanks SL, I’m so pleased that you found it useful.
Thanks Charlie, another well produced, well presented and informative video.
Thanks David, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it.
Charlie, this video has been a total eye opener with regards to the different types and heights etc, I’ve bought a few packs of NEM kadee’s but not fitted any yet, I’ve saved this video for future reference, keep up the good work
Thanks Kevin, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it and found it useful.
Well done Charlie. Excellent presentation. You can use double sided tape to manipulate your NEM couplings and stop coupler droop. You can also use it to adjust the height of the NEM pocket. Not perfect but its cheap and effective. You need the one with a thicker backing. The odd washer under a coupling pocket can also adjust height.
Thanks Richard, I have used similar techniques to overcome poor design!
Awaiting my first 148 packet from Kadee right now - along with a bunch of new metal wheels and washers based on your last video regarding fixing those first. Thanks for your expertise, Charlie!
I’m so pleased that you found them useful RJ
A better example of "Conscious Uncoupling" - very interesting and useful video - thank you.
Thanks Gary
Thanks for the good videos. Kadee used to use a bronze spring (copper colour) in the gear box. About 10 years ago they began making the ones with the wire whisker springs but also continued making the old ones.
You mentioned getting some #5s, they have the bronze springs. The equivalent with the whiskers is #148.
Thanks Bill, useful info. Regards Charlie
Fantastic once again . I might be sold on kadee now they have evolved well .looking forward to next one
Thanks Winston, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it.
Very helpful! Sorting these out is a minefield!
Thanks Kingsview, I’m so pleased that you found the video interesting. Regards Charlie
I love your vids Charlie, and this is really useful info that has got me considering automatically switching all my stock and locos to Kadee when I can set up a proper little railway once again when I've got the sheltered, insulated and powered space to do so in a shed.
Thanks for such a kind comment. Regards Charlie
Hi Charlie
Another great video about the kadee coupling which I have been using for about 20 years.
Couple of thing that maybe worth adding on your next video is the under-track magnet that can be installed on the building of your layout.
I’m in agreement with you that some locomotives and rolling stock are not easy to replace the old tension lock coupling and replace it with a kadee.
When I have to use the tension lock I remove one of the hooks which makes it easier to uncouple, in the case of my layout it was at the platform end where I wanted to detach the locomotive.
My method was to install the Heathcote Electronics uncoupler which uses a servo motor complete with electronics where you are able to adjust the height it pushes clear plastic strip, the speed it moves upwards and the duration of time it remains up to move your locomotive away.
Keek up the good work and it was nice to say hello to you at Warley
Terry
Thanks Terry, I’m pleased that you enjoyed it. Yes these couplings are a complete nightmare. Perhaps I’ll see you at Ali Pali.
I’m not intending to go to Alley Pally I’m exhibiting at Glasgow, York and Derby with my layout Camel Quay
Well done Charlie, very informative. Been using Kadee's for many years.
Thanks James, I can see their attractiveness and I’ll buy them in bulk too.
Great video as always Charlie. Really enjoyed learning more about KDs. I have a big fleet of stuff all with tension locks and have wondered about fitting some with KDs in future. Thanks
I’m so pleased that you found it useful Matt.
If you have a large fleet, it might be less money if you buy in bulk.. I did years ago...
Important note: Kadee only have bulk packs of the couplers that attach with screws i.e. they don't do bulk packs for their NEM couplers.
Charlie, great video on couplers. You provided a lot of info on this topic. I really learned a lot. Thanks for sharing all this info. Ken
Thanks Ken, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it and found it useful.
One of the greatest advancements in model railroading. In the States we had "slide hook" couplers... they're our version of toy couplings like your tension locks. unreliable things that are almost impossible to couple onto while on a curve and a pain in the arse to uncouple.
The magnet uncoupling is only useful for a hard to reach spot on your layout, otherwise just use a cocktail stick (no need to lift the car up) so you can uncouple anywhere on the track you'd like. Now KaDees aren't perfect but they definitely are better than other options. Cheers from the States Charlie!!
Two great comments. Both highlighting what a ridiculous pickle the UK market and Europe for that matter is in.
Just watched the video and never realised that UK outline manufacturers had such an issue with NEM 362 height. I moved to continental HO and discovered NEM pockets and ROCO close couplers in 1989 and never looked back. I now run stock with Roco close couplers in the rake and Kadees on locos and at the end of rakes. I have had no issues with pocket height across an assortment of manufacturers including Roco, Electrotren, Mabar and Mehano. The use of Kadees on Locos has allowed me to chuck Atlas and Athearn into the mix........!
I am looking forward to the next video. I am always surprised at exhibitions the lack of 'grown up' couplings on otherwise exceptional layouts and stock.
Love the channel and have subscribed.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video Andrew. If find our couplings to be a total embarrassment.
Hi Charlie, I really do like watching your videos. Thank you for putting so much useful stuff online for us to watch. A quick question please.
I was watching one of your videos the other night, I think it was this one where you mentioned about using F5 to get both the coupling sound and the uncoupling shuffle. So I tried it on a couple of my ESU Lok 4 loco's, and nope they didn't automatically shuffle. I'm going to guess there's a CV to set to get this working. Any ideas please?. Many thanks.
Yes, I have remapped my functions.
All the details are in the manual though.
I put KaDees on all my wagons years ago and have seen a dramatic improvement in running and particually ,as you show shunting .
Yes they are clearly a good move John. Regards Charlie
Great video. I took the plunge and put some #19 NEM socket Kadee couplings on some Hornby BR Mk1 coaches. They work great and look fantastic - far better than the tension lock and huge gap between coaches. I am planning on doing some more. Would you be able to do a video showing how to convert without NEM pockets or with the wrong sort of pocket (older Hornby for example) wagons/coaches/locos to the correct NEM pocket type/height etc. Love the channel.
Hi Michael, I might have covered this in another Couplings video. There are three in the series.
Here in the US we will sometimes use thin shim washers between the car and the truck to being the coupler more in line with the standard height. Sometimes you can take the center mount coupler (the only ones I have ever used) and bring the couplet up to the proper height. I have had to file off a little of the mounting nub (?) where the truck is screwed into the body of the car to lower the coupler. The low and high mount would sometimes fix the problem but is you need just a little adjustment, you might use the above mentioned system. Again I feel that the best action of the KD is the ability to set out the cars and pull away from them leaving them spotted where you want...
I hear the voice of experience. Thanks David
Thanks Charlie, another very imformative video, yeah I'm with you in respect of kadee's much better than tention lock..
Thanks Chris. I’m so pleased we’re on the same side.
great stuff charlie very enjoyable 👍👍👍😁 do agree with you on the tension couplings cheers al 😃
Thanks Al, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Hopefully tension lock couplings will die eventually.
Thanks for the demo, Charlie. I have long hated the tension lock couplings and remember with some fondness the old Hornby Dublo ones, provided they were of metal construction and not plastic. They were unforgiving of uneven track and trains would split on excessive undulations, but vehicles could be easily lifted out as with Kadee's. Maybe we could persuade Dominic Cummings to take it up with the industry as he seems to get his way with everything!
Now there’s a thought. The problem is we’ve been poorly served for so many years. Let’s hope things improve.
Great explanation - the Dapol easi shunt couplings I suppose are the UK N gauge equivalent. Springs do come out and I have spent many an afternoon trying to fit replacements - no mean feat in N gauge. Do Kadee produce N gauge versions? Cheers Euan
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Euan. I don’t think that Kadee do N
Nice video Charlie. We get the same issue in N gauge. Recently bought some Dapol knuckle couplers for nem sockets only to discover that the Dapol coaches I had bought “new” did not have me sockets. Crazy
I totally agree David, it’s a dreadful situation and all of us modellers feel like victims to the big four companies. Regards Charlie.
You are quite correct it is about time there is an industry wide standard not only for the fitting of NEM pockets but height and the style of tension lock couplings. There is a group of us here in France who meet up and run our stock on each others layouts and my D600 Warship in particular does not couple well the carriages with the standard Hornby supplied coupling. The couplings on both vehicles are the standard couplings supplied in the box from new.
Hi Phil, yes these wretched couplings are a disaster, if only everything was built to accept Kadee’s at the right height. Stay safe regards Charlie.
A very helpful video, thank you. I recently purchased some Kadee couplings from the states and encountered the same issue of different height nem pockets. Good to know some surgery is possible to remedy.
Sadly, we just have to make the best of a dreadful situation. Good luck with yours.
When I ran US prototypes in both HO and N, I always used Kadee"s as they were so easy to fit.
Now I'm back with UK OO and the coupling issue is a nightmare. I need to bite the bullet and equip my locis and rolling stock with these wonderful couplings, but the irregular heights was an issue
Now I know what to do so thank you!
You are of course right James it’s an absolute minefield. Regards Charlie
You are of course right James it’s an absolute minefield. Regards Charlie
I use tension locks, just beacuse its easy for me. But i remove one hook on the end of rolling stock so its just a loop. That way I can lift locos off really easy to swap them about or add and remove more rolling stock. Works very well I find.
Good for you. At least you found a useful workaround. Most of us suffer in silence.
Thanks Charlie..I model O gauge ....thanks for the explanation
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it David.
Another marvellous video Charlie. You have a wonderful knack of explaining things in easy to understand terms. It's truly a gift.
I immediately switch all my stock with NEMs to Kadees but have so far baulked at changing the non-NEM stock. You've inspired me to 'have a go' when I can next get to a shop (we're in week three of another COVID lockdown in Sydney right now). I took the opportunity to check out McKinley Railway and my head exploded at the money being spent there! It's truly epic in scope but my goodness, how much must it have all cost?!
Great comment Jon, McKinley is a beast but a fascinating one.
Excellent Charlie I have noticed that some modellers have been painting the trip pins on their KD’s to resemble air hoses. Black with a small dab of silver at the end to represent the actual metal coupling.Always enjoy your subject matter cheers.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Mark, and an interesting tip too.
Greetings from Wisconsin! I've just subscribed. In the US, the Kadee-style couplers have taken over nearly completely. When I was young most kits and ready-to-run cars and locos came with "NMRA" type couplers, which were hideous looking. All "serious" modellers replaced them with Kadee types. Since Kadee's patents timed out, other manufacturers now make that style, but usually in plastic and not with the variety of types made by Kadee. My layout is a shunting layout and I've used small homemade blades on sticks to do the uncoupling, quite satisfactorily. Cheers. PS. The original Kadees had a straight narrow pin that was less reliable.
Thanks for subscribing Andrew, it’s great to have you onboard.
@@ChadwickModelRailway I look forward to more videos. By the way, when I was VERY young, besides NMRA and Kadee couplers there were also Mantua couplers. These had a ring and hook, similar to couplers I see on British models. Mantua was a company that made HO models but is no longer around. Cheers.
Charlie, I thoroughly enjoy your videos and Chadwick Railroad.
In the US most HO trains come standard with with KD Couplers, however I Model in N Scale (1-160). There are two main types of couplers found on N Scale Rolling stock, most older locos and cars have Rapido Couplers, they are large and totally not prototypical at all, and have been around since the start of N Scale. Most new rolling stock comes with Knuckle Couplers, primarily Micro Trains Couplers, formerly KD N Scale. The Brothers separated the company. There are also several other manufacturers making N Scale Knuckle Couplers, including Atlas, Bachmann, and Arnold - Hornby. Those mentioned work pretty well together. The Hornby Couplers are the most prototypical and best looking of the Couplers but need a bit of filing to work reliably. The Micro Trains couplers are the only ones that have conversion kits to fit just about every make and model of rolling stock and locos, they also sell replacement trucks with Couplers mounted to them, as does Atlas. I have been modeling in N Scale for over 40 years and set it aside about 15 years ago until 2 years ago when I found out that my then 10 year old Grandson was into trains, so I pulled it out and set it up and we have been running trains on it ever since. I also converted most of my cars and locos over to Knuckle Couplers and have purchased additional equipment, some with Knuckle Couplers and others that I have converted, as far as I am concerned the KD Couplers are the only way to go.
By the way they also sell larger Uncoupling Magnets that are mounted under the track where the cork roadbed should be, they should be able to uncouple your cars that that have the higher mounted Couplers.
Barry Broyles
Wow Barry, what a great comment.
You clearly know your stuff regarding N gauge rolling stock. Good luck with your layout in the future.
Regards Charlie.
I’m tempted to make the jump. I have 3 Kadees scattered around and will soon buy some more for the ends of coach/wagon rakes and locos. As for the intermediate couplings between the coaches, I’ve settled on the Bachmann pipe style close couplers.
Very good choices there.
Regards, Charlie
Another awesome vid Charlie, I am in the throws of converting to Kadee myself and have run some wagons so far without any issues of uncoupling in transit (like some of the old Lima couplers eek. There is also to throw another spanner in the works a rotary coupler, yes these look like Kadee and act like them but they also rotate in their "gear box" for people who want to use something like the walthers rotary dumper, rather than uncoupling each wagon. Keep up the great work and yes McKinley Railway when you first mentioned it, amazing layout :).
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Sean.
Have to say, I have been using KayDes for several years, I found it all a bit of a headache to start with but once you get your head around it, it all becomes clear. It's amazing what a difference they make to the look of a rake of 30 wagons, don't be afraid of mixing up lengths on one wagon. I put a short coupling on one end and a medium on the other and as long as the corresponding wagon has the opposite side you can get them even closer without the dreaded buffer lock.
I’m so pleased that we truly agree on this awkward dilemma.
Hello Charlie
A while ago you did a video on 3D printed 3 link couplings. I liked these so ordered some. You can use the offset ones to couple the incorrect height nem pockets to the correct height ones and just use Kadees on the end wagons. This also saves some costs on Kadees. As you suggested I make the wagons up in rakes of 3, 4 or 5.
I’m so pleased that you found them useful Alec. They certainly look great.
Informative & interesting 👍🏻 what type of kadee did you use on your hornby freightliner wagons, many thanks charlie 😃
At last I've found it! No 49. Regards Charlie.
One of the reasons I model American, scale couplings! 😁
You can still get the metal height gauge. Remember though don't use it on live track.
The Americans don't use NEM cause all the stock and locos use gearboxes.
If you want to uncouple without the magnets, go to your local Wetherspoons, have a Burger and a pint and use the skewer as an uncoupling tool. Works for me every time!
Great comment CSX, many thanks
CSX RENSVILLE I just use a a pick hahah.
Great video Charlie. I went to look at my Walthers and Athearn box cars to see how close they couple as I want to buy several for the Airfix tanker and silo wagons I have built as they work well aesthetically on those in my view. I will stick with the 3 link couplings on my mineral wagons as they look more in keeping. I did pick up the KD electromagnetic coupler at a train fair in the 90s when things cost a few Pounds, so am curious now to see how it can all work. I think I will look at that starter pack 1030 you mention and maybe an economy pack as I have about 20 wagons to kit out. Thanks again for a great video
I’m so pleased that you found it useful Paul.
@@ChadwickModelRailway Small update, after MUCH research, I bought several packs of the 146, #19 #20 and #5's plus the height gauge and gearboxes as I picked up a 25 pair pack of Bachmann EZ Mate couplers while surfing. My added fun (not) being based in France is finding sellers that ship at a fair cost and they hv a smart website that auto deducts the VAT. Anyway its been an education and first tests on the Airfix kits look promising. Ramble over. Cheers PS the Over and Under (set) refers to the relative shank position to the back of the buckeye head when viewed in side elevation 🙃
A pencil... a graphite pencil can also be used to rub/mark where a dry lube can be used, i.e. coupler swing movement, axle points and chambers... doing a little "shaving" of a pencil as such (especially wooden or basic No.2 pencils), since lead was removed from manufacturing of pencils, all the pencils that replaced them can be used. It's the same graphite as is found in that tube of "Greas em"... and, the pliers are called "Coupler Pin Adjusters" and are sized for "N" "HO" and "O" scale coupler pins-to tighten the "curve", whence the three sized-type end. To widen that curve, you must flip handles so as to not bend down the knuckle part of the knuckle coupler.
John Kamloops, BC Canada
Great advice John, many thanks Charlie.
A most informative video, thank you for taking the time to explain all that you did. It has helped me in my endeavors to make more informed decision on changing out my couplers. I'm from the states and all my equipment is at least 40 years old, and all I have is hook horn couplers. At the moment I cannot justify buying a whole set of Katie couplers to replace my hook horn couplers. Price is certainly something that we've all had to deal with and when you're on a fixed budget it makes it even more imperative to way the pros and cons. Thank you again for the video, I am one that really appreciate your effort.
Thanks Big Foot, you’re too kind
Thanks for this video, Charlie. I must have watched it a dozen times, and have wanted to give Kadees a go since I first saw them, but was worried that they just wouldn't work on my combination of sketchy track laying and low end rolling stock.
However, I bought a couple of different sized NEM variants, and some of the traditional gearbox type Kadees and experimented, and I have to say they are brilliant. I may have been lucky, but generally I've found NEM heights have been spot on or very close. And for non-NEM wagons, the gearbox Kadees have gone in with little work needing to be done.
Without the clear explanation in this video though, I'd have been stuck, and honestly would never have bothered trying it.
I have also tried the Hunt couplings, and have had some good results on rakes of coaches by having strategically placed Kadees where I might want to split a train up, or where it will couple with a loco, and then used the Hunt couplings in between.
Thanks again for the excellent content!
I think we sing from the same song sheet on this one Andrew. I will certainly use magnetic couplings between coaches and Kadee’s at the ends. Regards Charlie
I have only just started in the hobby and love what you do. Still not as much fun as the Air Arm but hey.
No pressure but I noticed when you rolled the carriages some of them made that rattling noise that you explained was wheel flange.
I have found wheels on the web but how do I know which type?
Hi Stephen you need to go to Peters spares.com I’ve left a link in that video to his website.
Very interesting, thanks for explaining Charlie. Laurie.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Laurie
@@ChadwickModelRailway I learnt a lot too Charlie - thanks.
Wonderful video Charlie. I think I shall look into investing in some of these for myself. You did a great job at explaining how they work. Looking forward to part 3. GWR
Thanks GWR, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it.
Hello Charlie, When I first decided to get into model railways I went to a few of my friends who have layouts, most of whom ran Hornby locos and Hornby rolling stock. One of the first things I noticed were the ugly couplers and also the difficulty they had uncoupling one wagon from another. Then I saw a layout where all his stock had been converted to Kadee couplers, so it was a very easy decision to go down the Kadee path little by little because as you rightly pointed out it is not a cheap exercise. Luckily for me I don`t have a large layout, hence I have never had the need to run long trains, so it is not costing me an arm & a leg to convert to Kadee couplers, a decision I have not regretted. I will look forward to your next video. Cheers Greg
Hi Greg, yes it’s a pretty awful situation that the UK has ended up in. As expensive as these couplings are, they are the only way ahead.
I'm with you Charlie on Kadees. I'm going to modify my stock. The only problem I'm having is mounting the whisker coupling in the gearbox. Can I get the top to clip on - can I hell! What's the trick? Does the top go on with the small lip towards the coupling or away from it?
Hi Iain, my lip faces downwards and towards the coupling. Sorry for the delay mate, stay safe.
I use only #158, #146, #118, & #119's. I have always modified my draft gears to accept only these because I am not dealing with the centering springs, weird boxes, etc. Everything runs perfect for years now!!
You must be one of the few DP, so many of us have nothing but trouble with couplings.
@@ChadwickModelRailway I hate to hear that & I know my friends have the same issues. I am an aviation engineer & I am always looking to improve things. I really do not take anything at face value if that makes any sense-lol!
Charlie, a quick comment on your mention of using #5 Kadees for one of your locos, the #148 that you showed in the video is the whisker equivalent of the #5. Also, if you can adjust all your rolling stock so that they can use centerset couplers, you might like to think about using the semi-scale #158, also a whisker spring shank. Also, over here (I am a transplanted Brit) many modelers remove the coupler pin and use a wooden skewer for uncoupling. When operating our layouts we often have two man crews, engineer and brakeman/conductor. The latter has the skewer to uncouple where ever required, more prototypical.
Thanks Stefan, that’s sound advice regarding the Kadee alternatives.
I’ll be checking them out at the weekend.
You can mix and match most types of Kadee's depending on what rolling stock you use as each has a different coupler box some bigger or smaller, wider, narrower etc... You may find you need 1 coupler on the front a car then need a different for the back to make it all hook up. Some of these couplers are down right dastardly in putting them together and the included instructions are usually very vague especially pertaining to the springs. Great brand and they have something for everything. Nice video thank you.
Yes you can mix them, but it is somewhat of a nightmare trying to get the heights exactly right. it really is a case of trial and error. Regards Charlie
Interesting video Charlie .Totally agree with your comment about the couplings in the UK . With the horrendous prices manufacturers are now imposing on us surely its not to much to ask for a decent looking coupling.
I’m so pleased that you found the video interesting David. Hopefully one day all rolling stock will have decent couplings. Regards Charlie.
@@ChadwickModelRailway টড
Great stuff Charlie. Very informative. Will look into them for my layout. Congratulations on passing the 25k subscriber mark. Cheers. Pete
Thanks Pete, you’re too kind. They do look so much better,
Thanks Charlie, this video made me feel much better - "a problem shared" I guess. I am converting stuff to Kadees and I love them. However, like you the differing heights of new stock NEM pockets is doing my head in! I have just bought a new Bachmann Prairie and had to resort to fixing the KD to the bottom of the MEN socket to get it right... argh!!!! As an aside I have now successfully converted and old Lima warship to Kadees (as well as a cd motor) and it looks so much better.
A shocking admission TJ. We are poorly served by our manufacturers here in the UK. But what are we to do?
Magic
Thanks Charlie
I thought I was The only one having coupling nightmares.
I am installing kds slowly on everything
As a reply to your comment on costs of installing on all stock I form permanent rake of coaches or wagons
Using something similar to Bachmann's permanent couplings maybe, with a kd at each end.
Your idea of a kd at one end and a tension lock at the other is clever.
I have Hornby Castle with sound that looks excellent with a rake of Bachmann Mk1s but even with NEM s could not
Get the kids to line up so got an extra Bachmann BG and put kids one end and tension lock The other..
Can be removed easily to couple the rake to what does line up.
This also solves another problem , using permanently coupled rakes.
I installed an uncoupling magnet at the buffer stops of my terminus to allow a pilot to back onto the arrived train and remove
The stock, leaving the loco then to back out. All ok until you put a rake of coaches down there ,all kdcoupled, ready to depart with the
Loco obviously at the other end and it departs minus the last coach.
Love DCC. Love NEM. All problems can be solved especially in this sort of forum.
Compared to my 1960\1970 triang\Hornby that always needed a push over the points and crossings I am a very happy retiree.
Well done Charlie
Regards Howard
Top episode Charlie I been through trying to work it out years ago you video would help a lot of people out who are just starting with them top job again as always keep it up
Thanks Rowan, i’m so pleased that you enjoyed it, regards Charlie,
My eyes have just watered at the price of the starter set Charlie!
Stop sobbing David, just look at the loco prices.
Great video Charlie, these how to videos are invaluable as I get back in to the hobby. I seem to recall that back in the late 60's my Hornby Dublo models had an open coupling similar to the KDs and that the tension lock type were on Triang. Shame if UK modeling went the wrong way back then. (Memory could be flawed!)
Nothing wrong with the memory ( not unless mine has gone as well)....In fact if I dig long enough in the loft I could fine some, along with a converter truck with Triang at one end and Dublo at the other
So true Jeremy, one step forward, two steps back!
Thank you for the video. As you mentioned, the Kadee design is designed to look like the Buckeye coupler. The line is quite extensive. This variation not only allows different shank length, for various mounting designs.
They have different variations of the Buckeye design. One example is a shelf coupler. Here in North America, they are used on tank cars (wagons). The reason is because on uneven track, the knuckles can bypass. If that happened, then the adjoining car could puncture the tank of its neighbor. This could be very hazardous if the cargo is a dangerous material. Another variation is the tight lock. These are used on some locomotives, passenger stock, and rotary dump coal cars.
Kaydee have a not as extensive line of “scale” couplers. They are smaller, and more in scale with 1:1 couplers. They might be good if your equipment is for display, or if the track and baseboard are extremely level. For reliability sake, the standard size is what I use.
Sound advice Brian, thank you. Here in the UK these are only decent option.
Great video again Charlie!!! Thanks for sharing! Cheers Onno.
Thanks Onno, I’m so pleased that you’re still with me.
Hi Charlie, the #20 extra long couplers are underset. If you have a look at the Kadee homepage it gives you the exact dimensions and it specs. But you are right, all nem couplings are only available as underset. Regards, Mark.
Hi Mark, yes that’s a fair point I should’ve mentioned it. Regards Charlie.
Cor just like my old Hornby three rail couplings from the 1950s. (Which I still have I might add), Never liked Triang then for the reasons you mentioned seems like nothing has improved in all those years. Just starting the hobby again thanks for the information Charlie.
I am so pleased that you enjoyed the video chuckles. Regards Charlie
That spring you lost Charlie. I found it in my carpet. :-)
Great 😂😂
Charles, Charles, Charles....
I've been back and forth about swapping to Kadees for a while now - not necessarily for the 'auto uncoupling' - but because I think they look nicer than tension lock, cause less derailments and are stronger than the magnetic Couplings I have at the moment, while nice they do come apart with heavier longer trains...
So it's off to camp Kadee we go!
Using NEM ones, £10 for two sets... Thankfully I've only got around 10 wagons 😁👍
I’m sure that in time you will need more.
Great video Charlie! I’m in the process of changing all my stock to Kadee couplings, and have come across all the issues you’ve highlighted.
I’m so frustrated with all the differentiations between the manufacturers myself, and am gradually working through them, by several different methods. Stiff upper lip and all that, I’ll get there!
Good for you Nigel, be strong!
HI Charlie, you said in your video on freightliner Kadee conversions in Vid 81 you used glue to stick on the gearboxes. A lot of reviews I have read say that despite different glues, their bond was not permenant. My question please is what glue did you use and have they stayed stuck? Thanks
I’m pretty sure Clive, that I only used a basic superglue. Regards Charlie
Charlie have you experimented with the the magnets? I don’t like the slab between the tracks and wondered if you’d tried other methods. Really enjoy your stuff, yes I do subscribe.
No Roy but I will try their solenoids in time.
Yes I have always hated those “Hornby/Triangle tension lock couplings. They never looked real and the coaches were always too far apart as you demonstrated with the container flats. One would have thought by now that Hornby would have “Grown-Up” and installed knuckle couplings, similar to the Kadee couplings.
The issue is compatibility, now all their current and past ranges are based around the traditional couplings or something compatible and it would cause a lot of confusion to change it after such a long time.
It's time to move away from Toy Train Couplings.
GC. Dont forget. most or all Kadee fittings are for Ho and not meant for OO, so our Nem pockets are higher than the US pockets
Hi Charlie. Excellent video as always. I have some Kadees on order and was experimenting with getting the shuffle to work on a lenz silver plus which I know you use in some of your locos. Do you know of anywhere that has the cv settings to do this please? The main issue I had was allocating to a suitable function key as I think setting cv145 to 1 and cv146 to 2 controls the motor. I have searched the internet in vain. I appreciate this is a very particular request so it’s not a problem if you don’t have the numbers to hand or the instructions you used. Looking forward to the next video. Thanks. Alan
Sorry Alan but I only know through experience, about the ESU arrangements
No problem Charlie. Thanks for the reply. I had a little experiment this morning and managed to get it working by systematically changing some values so I just need the Kadees to arrive now to really try it out. If anyone else asks the same question please feel free to point them in my direction. Thanks again. Alan
Hi Charlie. Interesting video about the Kadee's. Personally dont use them myself as you say, the hieght problem and number of different couplings types in this country is a mind field. I have ripped everything out and started a fresh and use Sprat & Winkle (looking forward to the next instalment on these) they are good for kitbuilt models as well as RTR.i only fit the " hook" to one end of each wagon. They are impossible to fit to bogie diesel loco's so just use the bar with a couple of double ended wagons to act as a barrier wagon.
Cheers Colin
I’m so pleased that you found the video interesting. I’ll take a look at your couplings next time.
I've used them for years and love them. A4s ,class 33, class 66 , mk1 coaches for example do in real life have buckeye couplers so I'd argue that they are sort of prototypical. I don't use the magnetic uncoupling system so I cut off the bar completely to make them look even less obtrusive.
I'm often asked to make a video like this but ,never found a way of explaining properly the problems encountered. Viewers tend to ask what number do I use for a certain type of wagon and of cause its not that simple. Great video.
Thanks Biele, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video. The big four manufacturers have left us in a right pickle.
Kadee's are excellent and in the land downunder we use them on any rollingstock. One of the best methods of fitting is to body mount and that is usually no problem on 2ft radius or greater. I see you have done that and it does work well. You are correct when you talk about British outline stock not having a real standard and it would be good if they did. Perhaps it goes back to when they used to be called Toy Trains instead of Model Railways. Thanks for demonstrating the Uncouple Shuffle as I knew it was the sound but did not know that it included the "Ease Up" and the "Move off or away" as we call them in the real shunting world in Australia, as an actual movement for the loco. Makes you wonder why ESU would include it but I guess even with Tension Lock you do need to do a similar move to uncouple with them. Have you ever thought of installing a Tension Lock uncoupler next to the Kadee Magnet?
Hi Alan, tension lock couplings are the pain of British railway modeller’s lives. At least down under, you have professional options. Regards Charlie
Another well done video, Charlie! Kadee couplers are the standard on my layout (well.... what WILL be my layout if I ever get the track down! ). There are other companies that manufacture metal knuckle couplers, but noone else has any where close to the variety that Kadee has. Avoid, at all cost, the plastic knuckle couplers! They will break at the worst possible moment, such as when your locomotive is hauling a long, heavy train up a grade. Then you have a backwards runaway! As Yoda from "Star Wars" might have said "End well, that will not."
It’s a substantial but sound investment mate.
Timely video, just bought some this week to start converting my trains. Hello from down the road at Tintinhull.
I’m so very pleased that you found it interesting Peter and as a useful time.
Hello Charlie,
Very good video. Have used these couplings on all my stock. Could not agree more with your comments on the lack of standardisation on modern NEM pockets. With old stock you would expect to have to play with shims to adjust the height of the coupling but not with standard NEM. In extreme cases I have had to cut away the fixing for a droopy NEM pocket and use wiskered couplings. Keep up the good work
I’m so pleased that you agree about this dreadful situation Frank.