2 Rail Couplers

Tim I dont  know a lot about Proto-Craft couplers, I believe that maybe they have to be manually operated,but are very scale. I can say one thing about Kadee's they Work!! and they have some very nice new scale couplers. There's Atlas, Weaver and Central Locomotive works (no longer available unless someone else produces them) Kadee's have become a standard for the reason above.           Stephen    (cTr...Choose the Right)

Not being a switching nut, I use lots of dummies.  Kadee only where coupling and uncoupling is done often, and Proto Craft on the front of contest models.

Here is PC vs Kadee.

PC work as a real one more accurate but expensive.

Kadee look awesome and work great.

Andre.

TimDude,

I won't answer your questions directly because I was involved in the development & production of the ProtoCraft couplers and my input may not be seen as impartial but I will tell you that Norm (the owner) has contracted with a builder in Korea to produce his couplers in RTR form.  It is my understanding they will be cheaper also but don't quote me on that.

Jay

I will help Jay, since I have absolutely no connection.  Properly assembled, the Proto Craft operate just exactly like the real couplers, and look great.  If you want a contest model, use PC.

go with weaver models.

That is a nice looking flat car.  I wish my eyes had held up so I could work in scale O.  Can you get the angle cock with the older style handle?

First time I have heard that.  Tell us more about Weaver couplers?

One other question, will Proto-Craft and Kadees coupler to each other? I assume they would but.....

 2 things I hadn't noticed:

http://protocraft.com/category.cfm?ItemID=180&Categoryid=15

price seemed high until I saw they were for several sets

http://protocraft.com/category.cfm?ItemID=181&Categoryid=15

some include extra stuff like the glad hands as well.

 So do they couple with KD's?

If you want a prototypically correct coupler, get the Protocraft. If not, get the Kadee.

Simon

Okay.  I use either zamac, brass, or plastic dummy couplers, typically available from Monarch, PSC, All Nation, or others.  I stay away from lead, as found in Walthers kits.  I would guess that the best place to get dummies is the used market.  They look like the real thing, but they do not open.

i run a #38 drill in the "socket", so they uncouple and couple easily.  You could do the same with a file, but the drill is easier.  And I fasten them to the car any way I feel like it - usually with a single screw.

i agree - Protocraft if you want true realism, Kadee if you want reliable auto coupling.  The PC will couple and uncouple like the real thing, which means you jhave to have them aligned.

Be aware that Scale Craft made zamac couplers that were as good as Protocraft.  Monarch made ok couplers, but I have never been able to keep them coupled.  And some swear by the Roundhouse auto couplers.

The Protocraft product is a real eye catcher....and correct.  Amazing the visual impact you get from them.

Chris

This discussion is not complete without some thinking about some of the aspects of operation. I know operation is a broad term and varies in how it is applied personally. For me operation has always meant running my railroad in a prototypical manner, with  lots of specific car delivery and pickup. That involves both coupling and uncoupling as actions. When comparing the Kadee design to the Protocraft, one must consider how they will be used. My own reasons for choosing the Protocraft are several. First, I was used to the original Kadee which coupled even with a gentle push. I found a properly assembled Protocraft would work as well. Although the Protocraft, like the prototype has a narrower gathering range. When it comes to uncoupling, the Kadee requires either a magnet between the rails, or a twist blade device to manually insert between the couplers. The magnetic version of the Protocraft requires a magnet wand passed over the top of the couplers, or an operating lever similar to the prototype. I like that because I have bifocals and no longer need to see closely to separate the couplers. The Kadee because of the magnetic uncoupling design has bent steel pins that simulate air hoses. The Protocraft has no pins which allow the use of operating magnetic air hoses which is what I use. To sum it up, after testing my own requirements, the Protocraft won hands down. Is it for everyone? Probably not, but the point is, buy a couple of pairs of each and test them personally and don't rely on only an internet answer to make your decision.

Regards, Ben   

Excellent information in this thread. However, the one question that has beed posed by more than one poster is: will the Protocraft and Kadee couplers couple together AND operate together????

coupler together yes,  work together no.

they don't swivel on "S" curves or tight curves.

AG.

Hot Water,

As AG replied, the couplers will stay together when put together, but the geometry of the knuckles is different and they open on a very different principle. I have no actual experience with the latest Kadee design, but I cannot visualize how they would operate smoothly together, especially opening. One knuckle (Kadee) opens by moving the curved steel pin sideways or by inserting a thin blade and twisting. You cannot do that with the Protocraft. That knuckle is locked by the link pin which must be vertically lifted to open the knuckle. I previously mentioned that the gathering range of the Protocraft is narrower and the couplers would have to be centered before bringing them together. This is true in 1:1 railroading. In a pure operating scenario where there is much coupling and uncoupling to provide switching of cars, you should consider choosing one or the other based on testing, and not mix the brands. In that sense I have concluded that they are not compatible. Others may differ with me, but then I would suggest that they do not operate their railroads as I do. I want as close to prototype as I can achieve and only the Protocraft gets me that result.

Regards, Ben Brown

Thanks Mr. Brown. That is exactly the information I was looking for.

Will there be anyone at the Strausburg show in August that will have these couplers? If not I will just order them. I have all the supplies to do the working air hoses and I think these couplers will be a great addition. The more scale stuff I find the more I'm happy with going 2rail.

Thanks,

Ralph

Ralph,

Norm won't be in attendance.  If you don't want Norm's air hoses why not call him & see if he'll give you a price break without them.  Can't hurt to ask.

As far as the RTR couplers he's having made in Korea, there's been a delay in delivery because the builder painted the couplers.  Using paint is a no-no with these because the paint gums everything up.  I believe they're redoing them and will be using chemicals to color them.  Norm expects sample copies of the new RTR couplers any day now.

Now as far as the couplers not providing lateral swing, or flex, that's not true with the newer coupler being offered (in kit form).  They have as much movement as a Kadee.  The earlier versions (with the smaller pocket and longer shank) did not.

Jay

Jay,

Thank you for the updated info, but information such as you provided should really be on the Protocraft website. There has been nothing about pre-assembled and blackened  couplers or the option of wider swing. Even though I am a user, if it wasn't for yourself and Gene Deimling, I wouldn't have a clue.

So, do you know if the original draft gear will still be available?? I don't want the wider swing capability.

Regards, Ben Brown

Ben,

As far as I know they are.  The website shows all versions.

Jay

Thanks Jay for the information. I will get in touch with him.

Ralph