Close coupling for Lionel and MTH passenger coaches - does it exist?

Yes, Lionel’s “kinematic” coupler. Execution on some models has been better than others. 

Otherwise, Kadee.

Thanks Boilermaker1,

Kinematic was the key word.   I've found a basic drawing of Lionels kinematic coupling now, so I think I'll start making some and testing them.

Cheers Pete

I'd love to see what you come up with.

Mth subways only.

I'm wondering if I can 3-D print some non-operating couplers for all my K-line passenger cars. I have never really done any switching with them. All are almost always in sets of trains. Don

Most of us never switch out passenger cars - we should, but we tend to view them as train sets, operating couplers are fairly useless. I have seen dummy couplers (or even drawbars) installed/adapted to yield less, well, silly-looking gaps. Passenger cars, which tend to be long or, at best, long-ish, probably fit less-well into our curve-challenged 3RO world than most rolling stock.

Unless you plan to actively switch them, I would recommend going with simple, short-as-possible dummies and just manhandle the cars on those rare occasions they do get shifted around.

60-footers - that's the ticket. Scale height and girth, not battleship length, even though 60' is not a "short" car. Reasonable appearance. 

D500 posted:

Most of us never switch out passenger cars - we should, but

 

Unless there is a problem with one of my passenger cars I NEVER switch them out.

If I printed short couplers for my passenger cars I think it would be a good idea to leave the front operating coupler on the head end baggage car. I can't recall ever switching passenger cars. I always put a train together with my hands. Don

I would like shorter distance between cars too, but I do switch some of my passenger cars, especially the diner and RPO.  If I'm adventurous I will drop off a sleeper.  However, I do want to see what you come up with.

Thanks for all the input guys.  
I have 3 designs now to test out over the next few weeks.  2x designs come from the HO world and the third is the MTH “kinematic” coupler style in O scale.
I intend to make them either a replacement or an upgrade to the standard coupling, not a rigid and hard to un-couple type. 
Further my aim is to make the diaphragms almost touch when straight and extend in corners so nothing fouls.  Obviously the design must consider the length of the carriage, the wheel base of the bogie (truck), the current mounting point and length of current coupling, the minimum radius or diameter of the curves on your layout etc... Sounds like fun! 

Cheers Pete

We offer 2 types of dummy couplers each with multiple holes to aid in coupler distance, one is a scale sized coupler here is a link:

http://scalecitydesigns.com/48...ssenger-freight-car/

the other is a traditional sized coupler here is a link:

http://scalecitydesigns.com/48...-keil-line-walthers/

These are always available and till the end of the month we are offering free shipping on orders of $25. or more on the website only. You must use coupon code OGRFREE to activate the free shipping!

PeteDownUnder posted:

Thanks Boilermaker1,

Kinematic was the key word.   I've found a basic drawing of Lionels kinematic coupling now, so I think I'll start making some and testing them.

Cheers Pete

If someone would come up with something adaptable to the new Lionel or any of the 21" inch cars for that matter.  I think several folks would be interested in this.   

Those scale city design couplers look like they would help out a lot in certain circumstances, but I don't see any dimensions on them.

Alan