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Couplers Articles

A Different Approach to Solving the "Pogo Stick Couplers" Problem

The author shares his experiences to solve the problem, as a follow-up to Michael Fox' December/January article.

About Couplers

Devore and Baker couplers have disappeared, but since the Kadee HO-scale couplers are too large for HO, they are actually a good fit of S. This article offers working suggestions for how to make the uncoupling pin, since it is too short for S-scale operations.

Adapters: Link to Knuckle and Bar to Link and Bar to Knuckle

The author introduces adapters he makes available to convert from one A.F. coupler to another.

Adapting Kadee Couplers to Fit Huff n Puff Pockets

This article covers how to modify Huff-n-Puff/Stewart coupler pocket openings for the Kadee HO-scale couplers. Includes parts and modification photos.

American Flyer Uncoupler

The author moved his staging tracks closer together but that meant his A.F. uncoupler no longer fit, so he modified it.

Coupler Upgrade

The author shares a couple of examples of upgrading older S-scale models with Kadee couplers.

Couplers and the "Pogo Stick" Effect

The author describes the various tests he and other members of his club did to reduce the pogo-stick effect of the traditional S-scale couplers. He shared the successful replacement/improvement of the springs.

Couplers for Operational Reliability

The author shares his thoughts on having a trouble-free operating session on your layout, focusing on couplers, uncoupling magnets, and his operating scheme.

De-railing Hi-Rail Derailments

How to fix hi-rail couplers on S-Helper Service passenger cars catching on turnout frogs. Adjusting Kadee couplers' support arms.

Hints

The author compares San Juan Shops Evolution (On3), Kadee #802/808 (S), and Kadee #5 (HO) couplers, based on his practical experience.

How I Use the TruGage Coupler Height Gauge

The author shares a tip he uses to find the correct shim height to apply to the model using a TruGage coupler height gauge.

Kadee Couplers and Steel Wheels

Various answers are provided to how to deal with Kadee's under-the-track uncouplers and American Models' steel wheels.

Putting 802's on the 44

The River Raisin GE 44-ton diesel switcher was designed to fit a Kadee #33 HO-scale coupler. The author describes what he did to get Kadee #802 S-scale couplers fitted to the model.

Replacing Coupler Springs

The author describes how he replaces the springs in Kadee and Walthers Protomax couplers, with replacement springs from Kadee, and tricks on how to safely install them without flying off somewhere.

S Lore

Covered are, how to mount couplers onto American Models box cars and reefers, and how to connect the AF semaphores to turnouts to prevent their coils from being burned out.

S Lore

Notes about building, tuning, and installing the Kadee 802 coupler.

S-Scale Couplers

The author reviews all of the couplers available to S-scale, including AF-compatible ones.

Scale Coupler

A review of available S-scale "scale" couplers.

Short & Easy

Making two coupler height gauges, one for checking the center line, and one for the height pass/fail. Includes one photo and several construction diagrams.

Short & Easy

The author milled his own coupler height gauge for S-scale standard-gauge Kadee couplers. Includes photos.

So This Is What I Do...

Using the Kadee delayed-uncoupling feature of their S-scale couplers, and the adjustments he makes to those couplers to have them work more reliably.

The Roundhouse

Improving the A.C. Gilbert link couplers.

The Scale Scene

The author covers HO- and S-scale couplers that S-scale modelers use, and provides examples of how to install them.

Tuning Up the American Models Snap-lock Coupler

How to make the AM coupler be self-centering and some fine-tuning to get it to operate smoothly.

Two New Couplers in 'S'

Both Kadee, with their #802 S scale coupler, and American models, with their brown Delrin S scale coupler, have made new couplers available for S-scale modelers.

Variations in AF Coupler Series Part III

In 1952 the spring knuckle style, the solid knuckle style, and the split knuckle style couplers were introduced by A.C. Gilbert. The article also covers the current Lionel style couplers. Includes photos of each.