Advice please. Couplings

[AndyGif]

Good video  how to Daniel    one question  can the Dapol  magnetic  couplers be fitted to  and  stock   wqhich   has  standard  pockets   with Rapidos   ?  as not  everyone  has the up to date stock  / locos with NEM   pockets if so  would save me  using MT

NO, they cant.  you'll need to remove the existing pocket and replace with the dapol adaptors.
You might as well still use the old MT part #1128/29/30, as they are "compatible (in such they couple and uncouple ok most of the time when i've done it by hand across a magnet)"  with the dapol knuckles.

[d-a-n]

One question: can the Dapol magnetic couplers be fitted to stock which has standard pockets with Rapidos? As not everyone has the up to date stock/locos with NEM pockets - if so, it would save me using MT

As And above has started above, it cannot be done - I did an experiment which involved putting a Dapol easy-shunt in a Rapido coupling box with one of those copper springs and it did not work at all. It was fiddly too with two springs to be worrying about!!

I'll put up another video soon detailing the logistics of coupling with one wagon. I've been playing and made some interesting discoveries...

[upnick]

Many thanks for the information  gents  seems   better to stop  with a mix of MT   & Kato couplers in rakes where  uncoupling  isnt needed.

[Phil Hendry]

Tomix TN knuckle couplers are worth looking at as an alternative to the Katos...  They actually 'clip' together - you can pick up a whole rake of wagons by the ends with complete confidence!!!!!  Don't discount Unimates either - the different lengths are very handy. 

I usually use one or other of Kato, Tomix TN or Unimate within the rake, and MT on the ends.

[upnick]

Do  you have any links  to  U.K.   suppliers of the Tomix & Unimate couplers please Phil ? 

[Phil Hendry]

Maurice sells Unimates: http://www.osbornsmodels.com/red-caboose-unimate-couplers-358-c.asp

I don't know of anyone in the UK selling Tomix TN couplers - Wellington Models might do them, but I tend to buy Japanese stuff direct...  EMS (express airmail) is very expensive, but SAL (2nd class airmail) is reasonable, and pretty quick - often faster than ordering from suppliers in the UK.  Try these guys:

http://www.1999.co.jp/item_cart_e.asp?It_c=10009876&piece=1&DelKey=5149744

Cheers,
Phil

[Agrippa]

Thanks for all your detailed posts Daniel, most helpful!

[Phil Hendry]

I'll put up another video soon detailing the logistics of coupling with one wagon.

Is that like the sound of one hand clapping?   

[upnick]

Many thanks Phil   i'll  drop   Maurice a mail  think   i  have some  Unimates from  some  stock  in a box somewhere not sure which  type they are though 

[d-a-n]

I'll put up another video soon detailing the logistics of coupling with one wagon. I've been playing and made some interesting discoveries...

I tried making a video but it was just plain boring after I'd done the edit! The limitations of these Dapol couplers are:

Coupling up to one or two light wagons is difficult, regardless of whether the locomotive is heavy or light as the locomotive just punts them along.
Uncoupling one or two wagons is easy.
Uncoupling will be done on a straight but coupling on a curve is a trickier business. On a curve, you need to be pushing the loco up to a rake of wagons and even then, some I have just don't like it (Farish OCA wagon being particularly bad for any coupling, especially rapido couplings due to the attached little hook which I don't want to break off).

As there is no gradient on my train set, I'm going to add weight to all my NEM/Dapol equipped wagons in time, either 'Liquid Gravity' or bits of lead if I can secure and hide them. It will lead to much more reliable coupling/uncoupling operations.