Originally Posted by dkdkrd:
Holy carp?? Now there's something really punny for a Tuesday morning!!
Per Nicole: "After all it's only a fish. "
Forget the bony fish!...
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Originally Posted by Roger Wasson:
This sounds like a Mike Reagan idea. I do not use the kadee couplers, but hats of to LIONEL for trying to please those that do. Someone said it above, at least they are moving in the right direction for those that do use those couplers.
To be fair, you are giving credit to the wrong "Mike". Mike Wolf has had Kadee pads on his rolling stock for years.
I do give credit to Lionel for seeing a demand in the market and exploring it. I hope it is a smashing success so they continue down this path and make engines that can also run on 3R or 2R someday.
IMHO, I still say 2R Hi-Rail is where they should ultimately go. O gauge 2 Rail trains that operate in the same footprint as their 3 rail counterparts. Maybe it will happen someday?
Originally Posted by Ray Marion:
Credit for this tip should go to Steve(SIRT) who told me about it.
The full name is Mr Clean Magic Eraser Bathroom Cleaner. First tool used for weathering Lionel cars.
Ray Marion
Okee dokee....Great idea Steve! Gonna have to give it a try.
WOW! Great news!
Next step: MTH, 3rd Rail, Lionel and Atlas all pre-install KD's on 3rail cars! :-)
I never buy out of the Lionel catalog. Until now. I NEED PRR GLa hoppers. When do cataloged items actually show up?
The catalog has them as a threesome for $219 or something like that. Wow! Can't wait to find out who'll sell them for something more digestible.
The N5b's look nice; I have enough Williams examples to last a lifetime, except that they have to be repainted to represent pre-1953 paint schemes.....
Originally Posted by rex desilets:
I never buy out of the Lionel catalog. Until now. I NEED PRR GLa hoppers. When do cataloged items actually show up?
The catalog has them as a threesome for $219 or something like that. Wow! Can't wait to find out who'll sell them for something more digestible.
The N5b's look nice; I have enough Williams examples to last a lifetime, except that they have to be repainted to represent pre-1953 paint schemes.....
I've had a threesome for way less than that.... Sorry couldn't help it.
Dave
I just dampen the pad and start rubbing. It comes off a lttle at a time so you can control it . It doesn't require taping as it does require some effort. So far no damage, weathering would probably cover anyway.
Ray Marion
Originally Posted by Larry Neal:
Wonder if Lionel will develop their own scale coupler (or partner with Kadee) and offer these cars 3-R or scale in the same catalog? Would keep them in step with Atlas.
I know I'm an exception as far as couplers go, instead of the norm,but sure would like to see someone come out with "safety shelf" coulpers for modern freight.
Alan,
Personally I would prefer it if Lionel just sticks with Kadee. Even if they don't include their cars with Kadee couplers right away, making it easier to convert their cars/locos over to Kadee's is a big first step for 3RS and 2R modelers. Way to go Lionel! 
In the Remote control world of planes and cars, most manufactures would jump to the "latest and greatest" in technology and innovation. We would see new offerings/features often within a year or less. the move to 2.4 Ghz from 72 Mhz in the transmitter frequency took a longer though due to FCC otherwise many RC companies really responded to customers demands.
I think Lionel and MTH Must look into future customers and look into how they can expand their customer base and not only maintain their existing base (I think both are doing it but not quick enough)
Kadee compatible coupler cars, 2R and 3R capable locos, DCC/Legacy locos, and other popular and important features will only keep these companies profitable.
MTH has the 32T and DCC, Lionel can do it too, it may take some major marketing strategy and company cultural changes though!
I think they should NOT include kadees. We all have our own preference (740, 743, 806,805) based on our min radius, etc. I think molding in the mounting pads with the holes pre-drilled is sufficient and very welcome.
Originally Posted by Mike DeBerg:
Personally I would prefer it if Lionel just sticks with Kadee. Even if they don't include their cars with Kadee couplers right away, making it easier to convert their cars/locos over to Kadee's is a big first step for 3RS and 2R modelers.
Question...will the Lionel Kadee pad put the Kadee coupler at the correct height, or do we still have to shim?
The way I read the description in the catalog, they are providing the shims for you. In other words, if you attach directly to the body it will be too high, but they are including a spacer or something in the box that you can use to easily install the kadee at correct height.
That's just my interpretation.
Originally Posted by Bob Delbridge:
Question...will the Lionel Kadee pad put the Kadee coupler at the correct height, or do we still have to shim?
Originally Posted by Martin H:
I think they should NOT include kadees. We all have our own preference (740, 743, 806,805) based on our min radius, etc. I think molding in the mounting pads with the holes pre-drilled is sufficient and very welcome.
Originally Posted by Mike DeBerg:
Personally I would prefer it if Lionel just sticks with Kadee. Even if they don't include their cars with Kadee couplers right away, making it easier to convert their cars/locos over to Kadee's is a big first step for 3RS and 2R modelers.
I will definitely second Martin H!!!!!
I certainly do NOT want either MTH nor Lionel doing what Atlas O does, i.e. having the mounting pad & holes located for ONLY their own brand of coupler box.
I'm more than satisfied with the plan that MTH has for POTENTIAL mounting of Kadee couplers, and hope Lionel follows that same plan.
Thanks Martin! I'm with those that say make it so we can use Kadees and not develop another proprietary coupler. Atlas and Weaver should also follow this advice.
Martin,
You're right modelers do have their preference. I agree, in today's day and age following what has been done in other scales, it would be advisable if Lionel/MTH/Atlas, etc.. just stick with making it easier to convert a car.
That being said, for the same reasons why you mention doing so, I would want the manufacturers to use the 700 series vs the 800 series anyway. Try and promote the new coupler, use it, hopefully get enough development interest in building the shelf couplers, etc.. like they have done in the other scales.
Also, from a RTR perspective, best to offer cars which are RTR and fit the majority of the potential buyers. No matter what direction you go, there will always be exceptions, just build for the majority and make it easier for the exceptions.
Originally Posted by Martin H:
I think they should NOT include kadees. We all have our own preference (740, 743, 806,805) based on our min radius, etc. I think molding in the mounting pads with the holes pre-drilled is sufficient and very welcome.
Originally Posted by Mike DeBerg:
Personally I would prefer it if Lionel just sticks with Kadee. Even if they don't include their cars with Kadee couplers right away, making it easier to convert their cars/locos over to Kadee's is a big first step for 3RS and 2R modelers.
Well, can't wait to read about it. I have long envied the 2 rail look, (of track and detailed rolling stock) and have started to compile a list of hundreds of pieces of non scale rolling stock to sell.
I believe Atlas opened the door for this many moons ago with their early 36 ft reefers. They included a scale coupler, and an adjustable mounting scheme to accommodate varying radius curves. K-Line was quick to jump on that band wagon as well, and offered several engines and sets equipped with scale couplers. They also offered scale wheels on trucks with no couplers for those wishing to convert some rolling stock to 2 rail.
Some guys posted about MTH offering 2 rail scale, Weaver also offered this. Atlas has 2 rail scale track.
When I was consulting for a train company, I did a major test of track on the market to see if 2 rail scale (well plain old scale) wheel sets could run and stay on the track. Atlas and Scale Trax did the best. After that Gar Graves/Ross, Fast Trax and Rite Trax (whatever it is called today) did very well also. None of the tubular rail track worked.
This is like my posts on I-12 cabooses, PS-1 box cars, and newer wood sheathed reefers. All pieces of rolling stock that would look right at home on a 2 rail scale layout. In fact, these Lionel offerings are better detailed than many 2 rail offering from elsewhere.
I would be a customer for 2 rail/3 rail powered engines, and Legacy ported to work with 2 rails.
