Why Kadee Couplers?

D500 can you point me in the right direction for this information?  I did a search on your name and coupler and it still doesn't jump out at me. 

 

-rog

 

I don't understand the video. What does it have to do with Kadee couplers? Also, what does it have to do with "rivet counters"?

I guess I should have stated to watch the whole video. At the end, the stock coupler snaps. There was no good reason for this? The layout is level and the train was at speed. The coupler just decided it was time I guess.

 I need to finish converting all my cars. I have no idea why he stated about rivet counters. I guess, some guys think that two rail and swapping couplers is reserved for rivet counters??

 I'll have to post a new video of the lobster claws failing the same way. It happened to me several times.

Also, what does it have to do with "rivet counters"?

 

Exactly.

 

It's all about looks and reliable operation   The only "fiddling" is in the fact that the makers don't automatically provide them on the engines/rolling stock vice the old style couplers.

I'm with Hot Water, any and all points/and or jokes went right over my head.

I'm running 2 Rail but it's the same idea... I have run Atlas F units through 27"r curves with 48 and 50 foot cars backwards and forwards with no problems. I haven't found a 4 axle diesel so far that won't work on 27"r with a 50 foot car in switching duty yet with Kadees.

 

Notable Kadee features:

 

-The look

-They couple so easily they won't push the car/cars you are coupling to

-Delayed uncoupling for hands free switching

-The older 800 series couplers will mate up to 3 rail lobster claws if you like

-The new 700 series have eliminated the external spring that liked to pop off

-They are basically a standard

-They are dead reliable

Just my opinion but, no mater WHAT one does to modify/correct the big lobster claw type couplers, I defy you to couple into any standing single freight car, without moving it, and have the claw close & latch. 

Someone help me out here, where do you buy these "Kadee couplers". We don't have a shop her in my area that has ever seen them.  I am tired of unscheduled un-couplings.

Try their website, and you can also by from larger forum sponsor shops.

You can buy direct from Kadee but I usually find mine on EBay a little cheaper. Kadee also sells in bulk if you have a fleet to do

I understood the video because I've had it happen. Running a big heavy train those 3R couplers just don't hold up.

Did any of you guys that are complaining about "lobster claw" couplers coming uncoupled by themselves read my post about fixing this problem?  The fix is simple and quick, less than 5 seconds per coupler.  Once the couplers are modified, they do not come open by themselves.  

That is not the only reason we swap to Kadees. Most people don't run long heavy trains where that occurs. Looks is the biggest reason I would say, and having to slam the cars together to get the knuckles to close. No one could ever convince me to keep the claws.... not gonna happen

Didn't a manufacturer state that he thought the lobster claws were outdated? I believe he went on to say that they would fade away.

 I really believe that someday very soon, new guys coming into the hobby will ask why three rail is still around. I'm not that big against the third rail, it's the coupler size alone that is too big for G scale! The wheel's flange size is ridiculous. The gap and the floating pilot (stairs) on modern diesels just looks wrong.

 I'm sure I make enemies every time with these replies. I have three rail stuff of my own. I just keep it in the closet.....  (Santa sees it sometimes )

If you put "opinion" at the end of that, you get hammered less.

 

Opinion.

 

Some folks like big couplers - when I was a kid, I was enamored of them, having only those funny things with the barb sticking out.  Then in the early 1950s I lusted after that short Lionel vista dome with the flat groove below the windows.  I could watch those department store layouts for hours.  It all looked great.

 

Now I cannot even handle the fact that our track gauge is slightly too wide.  At least I know how to do something about it.  The hobby has something for everyone - if I could afford it and had the time, all of my models would have Protocraft couplers.  In the meantime, Kadees go where I uncouple a lot, and dummies go everywhere else.

How do you uncouple using Kadees? Do the magnets made for 3 rail work very well??.  I loved  the feather touch coupling but what uncoupling?  Does the train uncouple if stopped over a magnet?  The electric uncoupler magnets  are just tooo much work.

Didn't a manufacturer state that he thought the lobster claws were outdated? I believe he went on to say that they would fade away.

 

No that was Hot water!!

 

I made this video 4 years ago to demonstrate how the uncoupling works, and "HANDS FREE" switching with Kadee couplers in 3 rail. Yes the magnets are visible, but with structures, weathering, and lots of detail on the layout..... no one is going to be paying attention to the magnets.

 

Try to do this with "The Claw"

 

 

Can the Kadee couplers be mounted on MTH Rail King passenger cars?

Kadee couplers can be mounted on anything you like. Just remember to purchase the Kadee coupler height gauge so that each and every coupler you mount are ALL the same height.

The concept of standards may prove to be both novel and elusive........

If I need to lower a coupler what do I do?

You need to use spacers. Make them out of styrene, Micro Mark sells laser cut spacers, and CentralFan1976 sells 3D printed spacers for various applications.

 

If you click on my YouTube Channel linked below, in my signature, I did a series on the O Scale Kadee Coupler. It covers just about everything you want to know

Better yet, here's the link to the thread about Kadees with the 4 videos I made for anyone wanting to venture into Kadee Land

 

https://ogrforum.com/t...-scale-kadee-coupler

Got it thanks so much.

Hey laidoffsick. thanks for posting . great stuff that takes time to create and post. appreciate it.

Well that's the great thing about them!

They have metal rods hanging down that you can arc weld together!!

I learned about KD's so long ago that it seems weird that others haven't. I mean like a couple of decades?

 I guess it's because I came from HO scale originally. Everyone in HO knew about them. That's why sometimes I think 3 rail is in isolation. OPINION!!!

You either lower the coupler box with spacers or you lower the car.  Lowering the car may prove complicated as you may impact clearance with the flanges

Hmm looks like i may want to invest in Kadee couplers for my cars. I wonder if they will work with the Atlas cars? I plan to eventually have a layout with long freight train runs as ive experienced the claw uncouplings in the past. Even with flat level surface ive had them just uncouple for no reason. And seeing as i work as a chemical tank driver in the industry i see how the real couplers work and how the guys uncouple the cars.

Since i dont have a layout right now i can work on making the time to do the conversion on my fleet of MTH, Lionel and Atlas freight cars.

Seeing the photos of the Kaydee equipped o gauge items was impressive. They make typically toy like models look that much more realistic without that battering ram of an OEM coupler sticking out there. Nice. Not for me for what I run in Ogauge toy trains, but on all of your models they really improve the look similar to HO realisum.

Who says you have to convert your whole fleet to Kadees?  I would recommend having a few "transition" cars with kadees on one end, and the traditional, oversized coupler on the other end.  Then you can take your time converting your fleet over or only do only the rolling stock you want to.  This also lets you leave the operating couplers on engines / tenders if you want to keep them or cars you are worried about maintaining the originality of.

 

It is very time consuming to convert over, but as many will tell you that its worth the effort for looks and reliability, and time consuming is part of the hobby in itself.  It is usually a one way conversion as often the old coupler part of the truck gets destroyed in the process that can only be restored by a complete truck replacement.

 

Will I convert my entire fleet over?  No way.  May be a few choice cars and along with some transitional cars.  Its not for everyone, but it does look better and I get why many scale guys and hi-railers go for it.

Don't even need transition cars if you still use the 800 series couplers. The will grab a 3R coupler and hang on just fine.

 

I ran my Golden Gate Depot El Capitan the 1st few times with a 3R coupler on the cars and a Kadee 740 on my F units. Works just fine with no transition car. The only thing that cause an issue is a grade. When coming down the hill, the slack runs in, and will cause separation between the 2 different types of couplers. Flat land....no problem.

They will work will ALL cars. Forum member CentralFan1976 sells a 3D printed spacer specifically for Atlas cars. Takes all the guess work out.

 

Watch my Kadee videos on YouTue... all your questions will be answered, and I show you how to convert them 

 

 

 

Thanks! I will look over them now.

 

At this stage of the game I have the time to do the conversions and...they make great stress relievers after a long hard day. 

Gee Hotwater, tell us what you really think.  

I guess it's Hotwater's way or the highway.   I stand by by my opinion because it works for me and that's how I enjoy the hobby.

Your way is your way and I can respect that.  I'm not sure the reverse is true.

kadees are new to me I picked up 13 weaver 50 ft boxcars all with 2 rail wheels and kadees I can switch out the wheels to 3 rail wheels.  but then still have the kadee's now my question is to loose the kadees I would have to buy all new trucks for all 13 cars. could get expensive or swap out the wheel sets cheaper. but I have 031 curves is there a way to make the kadees work on 031 I tested a little and it seems the body's of the cars touch

Hello Jhainer

 

What trucks came on the cars you purchased?  I can supply you with new wheels,axles,couplers or trucks. I bulk purchased a bunch of stuff at Weaver sale, more than I can use! 2rail-3rail and metal and Delrin wheels.

 

Clem 

Atlas cars are easy, they already have the holes in place to body mount Kadees.

Not sure here is the one I switched out wheels too from an 027 car I had laying around .