How many 3RS modelers use Kadee Couplers

How many 3RS modelers use Kadee Couplers

 

All of us

 

But seriously, I'm really anxious to buy and try the 700 series.  I am particularly interested in the off set coupler (I don't have the number handy.)

I agree with marker,,,,,,ALL OF US!!!

By the very name of this sub-forum, I would think/hope that we all use them.

 

Using Kadees is kinda what started this whole thing, followed by fixed pilots and the want for better adherence to prototypical dimensions.

 

I look at my engines and rolling stock all the time to see what can be improved by me and what SHOULD be improved by the manufacturer.

 

Getting back on course (sorry, I do get on a tangent now and then), putting Kadees on all my equipment has increased the reliability to the point that I don't have any unwanted uncouplings.  The ability to S-L-O-W-L-Y back one car into another and have the couplers couple, without having the car being coupled to move at all, is worth the effort.  Seeing the slack pulled out of, even a short 6-car train, is just too cool.

I use Kadee's also. I have a 55 unit coal train with them, 50+ reefer train with them, my 40 car military train has them, My 50+ car mixed freight has them, my 12 car work train has them and countless others.

 

I do not put Kadee's on my passenger trains. The exception to that rule would be the lead car in the consist that will be seen and would connect to the Kadee that I install on my tenders.

 

 

Happy Railroading. BF

 

Sasquatch,

I see you went to a upscale hair stylist, you are looking better than your human brother. Keep up the good work.

George

Kadees for me too.  The 700s do look very nice! 

My first two loads of scrap iron. Where can i buy Kadees in bulk?

what is the new 700 series? is that a new design of Kadee coupler?

They look great and come in different lengths and off sets. NO outside spring!!

90% of my rolling stock is Kadee - The only ones I really don't like to change is Lionel rolling stock.  To keep the trucks you have to do a one way destructive removal of the knuckle coupler.

One engine is equipped with Kadees. It will even grab onto the big knuckles and walk off with them.

 

I think to leave those couplers alone because they do a good job. I may experiment with the 700's on some rolling stock.

 

In the meantime I continue to hunt for rolling stock that can easily be converted. I have learned in the past that some are already equipped with a kadee mounting pad.

 

I am sort of half in 3Rs and half out. Over time I hope to see a "Settledown" into one method or the other.

I've been converting my freight cars on my friends layout to Kadee and Atlas "scale" couplers.  I've also converted three diesels and a caboose as well.  So far we agree that we aren't going to convert passenger cars as we don't switch them.

 

Stuart

 

Is it about the switching or avoiding the slack on the startup? I also like the look in passenger cars with the diaphragms. It has a great look on O-72 or larger radii. I have over 100 pair of kadees just waiting to be installed on my premier and weaver cars. And am researching the proper lengths for my passenger cars. ( have another thread running on the 3railscale forum.)

I think the knuckles are very reliable in a Passenger train. Slack is just part of the fun.

 

I also imagine the man ways between the cars would block a kadee and make switching a chore in pax cars. I have been using Kadees close to .. 40 years now and never had one fail. Plastic imitations littered the track by the dozens.

I do and I have some of the New 740 comming

The new Kadee 700 type E series couplers look great; I've installed them on a few cars.  Once significant thing to note:  They will not stay coupled to 3 rail couplers like the older 800 series can, so if that's important for you, then stay with the 800 series exclusively or make sure you use the 800 series for transition cars.

ok after seeing the 740's ..now i want to get those KD's on my trains..id saw the other set didnt like the looks and there plastic..how much are the 740? and where can i find them at for a resonable price?

So the 800's are the ones to use if I intend to keep a few Knuckles?

Hello Gentlemen,

All Kadee couplers are good, The 740 series even better with their wide range of lenght and coupler height options. Don't be afraid to put a medal coupler in a plastic box to insulate on a loco. I have two passenger sets, a Lionel SP Daylight GS2 and a MTH Metra commuter F40 and bilevel set. I don't plan on changing out the lobster claw OEM couplers as they will never run with my other equipment.

I have never had a Kadee coupler fail. Walthers nylon 2-56 screws - yes.

George