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Posted: Sat Dec 24th, 2011 02:38 pm |
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11th Post |
Herb Kephart
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One of the things that I like about English locomotives, is that they kept colo(u)rfullness, long after companies in the States gave up the extra effort, and went to basic black.
I have to admit that I did not always feel this way, but like Isley Scotch, it has become an acquired taste.
Press on!
Herb.
____________________ Fix it again, Mr Gates--it still works!"
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Posted: Sat Dec 31st, 2011 10:43 am |
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12th Post |
Broadoak
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I’ve not done much work on the model other than painting a back scene using acrylics. I used 300gsm water colour paper as it remains fairly flat and hopefully will be easier to glue to the wall. It is not level at the bottom but temporarily held in place by Blue Tac to see what it looks like. I have now darkened the sky to match the other back scene a little better.
The picture shows the little Collet 0-4-2 shunting the yard. ( There are four of these attractive little locomotives preserved ) The vans are Ratio kits with 3 link couplings, I shall fit a tension hook to one end of each van later and run them in pairs.
I think I will build a loco coaling stage where the grounded brown van body is now.
At this stage nothing is finally decided position wise.


____________________ Peter M
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Posted: Thu Jan 19th, 2012 02:42 pm |
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13th Post |
CNE Runner
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Peter - I can see some really interesting swtching (...I mean shunting) opportunities for the layout. Looks great and the scenery is really coming along nicely. Thanks for sharing and keep up informed of any (and all) progress.
Ray
____________________ "Keeping my hand on the throttle, and my eyes on the rail."
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Posted: Sat Jan 21st, 2012 06:07 pm |
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14th Post |
Traingeekboy
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Herb Kephart wrote:
One of the things that I like about English locomotives, is that they kept colo(u)rfullness, long after companies in the States gave up the extra effort, and went to basic black.
I have to admit that I did not always feel this way, but like Isley Scotch, it has become an acquired taste.
Press on!
Herb.
I feel the same way Herb, both about the locos and the SCOTCH! Mmmmmmm....
____________________ Did I ever mention that I like trains?
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Posted: Sat Jan 21st, 2012 06:09 pm |
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15th Post |
Traingeekboy
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Broadoak wrote:
The vans are Ratio kits with 3 link couplings, I shall fit a tension hook to one end of each van later and run them in pairs.
What are these three link couplers. Are they the kind that goes on for looks but do not get used or do you replace the standard hook couplers with those?
____________________ Did I ever mention that I like trains?
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Posted: Sun Jan 22nd, 2012 03:28 pm |
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16th Post |
Broadoak
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Three link couplings are scale versions of the type of coupling used on loose coupled goods trains in the days of steam. They look good but are very fiddly to use on a model as they are very small. They don’t work well on sharp curves either so are not very practical on a small shunting layout like mine.
The tension hook couplers look pretty awful but work well and after a while you tend not to notice them.
As I’m getting older my eyesight is not as good as it used to be which is another reason for not using the scale three link couplers on all my stock.
I hope this all makes sense to you folk not familiar with British practice.
____________________ Peter M
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Posted: Mon Jan 23rd, 2012 03:29 pm |
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17th Post |
Herb Kephart
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Peter
While I follow the British modeling scene somewhat more than the average US modeler, I have heard of both types of couplings (and I think others also) but I'm not sure exactly which is which appearance wise.
Could you take a close up of each and identify as many as possible?
I believe that the "chopper" coupling is somewhat like the old US Mantua coupler, which was the defacto standard HO coupler before KD's appeared on the scene.
These resembled nothing that was used on the prototype here, but within its limitations operated very well--close to 100% of the time.
Herb
____________________ Fix it again, Mr Gates--it still works!"
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Posted: Mon Jan 23rd, 2012 07:35 pm |
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18th Post |
W C Greene
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Herb, you old timey guy! Mantua couplers were made a little after Baker couplers, both had "loops and a stabber" affair which could be coupled and uncoupled in a more or less (less) "automatic" fashion. Of course, the two couldn't be used together..that's why the NMRA got into the fray with the "horn hook" nastiness which is still found on cheap 99 cent HO freight cars to this day. KaDee came out with the MKD (I believe they were called) which also used a ramp to uncouple. There was "auto" coupling and they looked like the present day #5, etc. except that instead of a curved uncoupling pin (magnetic), they had a straight pin from the knuckle for the ramp. Wheeew! You know what I am talking about. KaDee also had a version of the NMRA nastiness which had a magnet on the bottom of the coupler so it could be used with the magnets they sold. (corn-fused?) To my mind (very weak) the Baker couplers look quite similar to the Brit's "chopper" coupler and in fact, they may be "compatable" !!?? OK? Back then, John Allen used Bakers and Whit Towers used Mantuas..that's why they didn't get along with each other.
Now you know why I prefer pin & link couplers. They work with all other p & l couplers, no matter what! Now, for the next politically correct question........
Woodrow
____________________ It doesn't matter if you win or lose, its' how you rig the game.
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Posted: Mon Jan 23rd, 2012 08:13 pm |
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19th Post |
Broadoak
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I don’t have a very expensive camera so the close ups are not very good but are the best I can do.
The first two pictures of the 0-6-0 pannier tank is fitted tension lock couplers which are fitted to all propriety stock when purchased in the UK. The model is actually one of the Bachmann Branchline range and comes with theses couplings as standard. These are rugged and easy to use.




The two wagons are in fact Ratio kits but are fitted with prototypical three link couplings just like the real thing used to be in the days of steam. These are much more delicate and need careful handling.
I hope this all makes sense Herb.
Incidentally when I first started modelling the American scene the cars and locos where fitted with horn hook couplers. I changed all mine to KD’s.
____________________ Peter M
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Posted: Tue Jan 24th, 2012 12:42 am |
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20th Post |
Herb Kephart
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Woodie-
Whit used Bakers also. When I visited eons ago, he said that when Baker decided to quit, he, Allen and another fellow whose name I didn't recognize, bought the remaining stock.
Now, since we are playing 'member games, how about the Megow that combined the Mantua hook and loop into one totally useless piece? First of the Mantua ones were similar (pre Archie's war) had some of these--probably still have them somewhere, since anytime that I throw something away, I need it the following week--and that hasn't happened to them.
And remember the Walthers that sort of tried to work like the first KD's, with a diamond ramp?
Peter-
Thanks for the explanation. The first ones you showed were what I thought were called"chopper" couplers.
I take it that the three link, like our prehistoric link and pin, must be coupled and un coupled by hand
Herbacide 
____________________ Fix it again, Mr Gates--it still works!"
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