Coupler alignment with 3-rail switching locomotives ON CURVES

I don't have any sort of useful information, but am very curious about the subject.  I've never had any luck with coupling on curves, though many of my MPC era O27 cars seem to do this much better than other cars.  No idea why.  I also find that my steam locomotives with the coupler set very close to the back of the tender do a much better job than engines with the coupler sticking out a ways.  

Anyway, I look forward to seeing what others have to say here.  

JGL

I am 2 and 3 rail with remote couplers [MTH] DCS command. Neither will work on curves but work flawless on straight.

I have much better luck with Kadees coupling on curves, however tricky to get the magnets on curves to work for uncoupling. using 096 curves.

clem

Although we don't have any curves tighter than 072, the body mounted Kadee #805 couplers seem to work just fine.

I have never had good luck coupling on curves in any gauge.  I think that you need have straight track  where you want to couple cars.

NH Joe 

JohnGaltLine posted:

...  I've never had any luck with coupling on curves, though many of my MPC era O27 cars seem to do this much better than other cars.  No idea why ...

JGL

Perhaps because the MPC cars have the same style of trucks, and maybe the couplers have a softer touch for coupling?

Ace

Thanks for dredging up my previous post on the Switching Assistant. I have several and can send you one if you like. I use them all the time on my 036 curve layout. The switcher can drop them off on a spur and then go and get them when needed. In almost all cases they go along for the ride on the front of the switcher when not in push mode and stay on the track below 10 smph. I have not run them any faster than that.

Scott

I try to avoid coupling and uncoupling on curves, then I am able to stay more hands off...

I can't remember any times I was able to couple on a curve regularly without getting the HOG involved.  Every once in a while there is a car combination that works, but I can't think on any locomotives that I have that do it well.

Scott T Johnson posted:

Ace

Thanks for dredging up my previous post on the Switching Assistant. I have several and can send you one if you like. I use them all the time on my 036 curve layout ...

Scott

Thanks very much for the offer, but I'm just on a fact-finding mission right now. The shared information here is useful in part for track-planning purposes.