Screw couplers for NEM355 sockets

[woodbury22uk]

I came across this curiosity on the plazajapan website.

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10718875

The Japanese to English translation claims that it is functional, though being made of acrylic, I would be cautious about its robustness. Also, if it comes as a horizontal in use coupler it is not much use for the end of trains where it would be visible, and a lot less fiddly to fit than Farish/Dapol spare bits. But it would need to hang down. Maybe the acrylic is a mistranslation.

[Bealman]

Looks cosmetic to me, but in a fixed wagon rake, particularly Peco lightweight ones, who knows?

[Graham]

assuming they work and are not just cosmetic, they are still rather an expensive addition when compared to the Dapol buckeye couplers or even the Hunt magnetic ones in my opinion.

cheers
Graham

[woodbury22uk]

assuming they work and are not just cosmetic, they are still rather an expensive addition when compared to the Dapol buckeye couplers or even the Hunt magnetic ones in my opinion.

cheers
Graham

But those are not pretending to be screw couplers. Although loco hauled passenger stock often have buckeye couplers, apart from some aggregates and modern ballast/steel wagons most freight stock has screw couplers. A cosmetic coupler with the links hanging down or hooked on to the bracket below the buffer beam would improve the appearance of the last wagon on a train. This would work OK if the coupler pocket is chassis mounted or on a kinematic arm. Not so good for a bogie mounted coupler pocket. I struggle to fit brake pipes and cosmetic couplers in those tiny holes in the buffer beam, so clipping into an NEM socket should be an easier way forward.

[Bealman]

Unless I'm reading it wrong, wouldn't the HOG be required for uncoupling?

[woodbury22uk]

Unless I'm reading it wrong, wouldn't the HOG be required for uncoupling?

In the original Japanese it says it comes with an animated shunter with a shunting pole. Sadly the safety boots and pattern of hi-vis jacket are wrong for the UK, so another inaccuracy. :-) Best to stick with the Almighty's hand.

[bigdawgks]

There's a picture of them in use. They appear to function as advertised.

[Steven B]

But those are not pretending to be screw couplers. Although loco hauled passenger stock often have buckeye couplers, apart from some aggregates and modern ballast/steel wagons most freight stock has screw couplers.

Most British freight wagons were fitted with 3 link or Instanter couplings. Instanter had a middle link that could be set in a short or long position. Screw link couplings were used for XP (express passenger) rated stock such as parcels vans and milk tankers.

Steven B

[thebrighton]

I purchased a pack a while back to see if they were any good. They look the part but the links snap just by looking at them. Pulling one wagon will work but anything heavier will result in a pile of broken parts.

[woodbury22uk]

But those are not pretending to be screw couplers. Although loco hauled passenger stock often have buckeye couplers, apart from some aggregates and modern ballast/steel wagons most freight stock has screw couplers.

Most British freight wagons were fitted with 3 link or Instanter couplings. Instanter had a middle link that could be set in a short or long position. Screw link couplings were used for XP (express passenger) rated stock such as parcels vans and milk tankers.

Steven B

Of course you are right about the popularity of the instanter coupler on two axle wagons in particular. Probably coupled/shortened/lengthened thousands in my time. The big advantage was not having to duck under the buffers to operate them, provided that the train was buffered up.