Clear n gauge couplers

[Griff]

A number of years ago a retailer commissioned wagons that came with the standard n gauge coupling but instead of black in was clear. Is it possible to get hold of these couplers as they appeared less obtrusive and you didn't really notice them when the trains were running.

[Hiawatha]

I doubt that someone specially commissioned clear Rapido couplers as these were a standard produced Arnold item and were even shown in Arnold catalogues although they are quite unknown.

Arnold number 0787, and could be bought in 20-piece packs. I guess the clear couplers were just the Arnold ones.

Here still available on ebay – just not at the old Arnold price (no affiliation with the seller, other sources may be available):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183483463978

[nookfield]

Topic on RMWeb by @Ben A

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/83387-couplers-in-n-is-the-answer-clear/

[ntpntpntp]

Mathieson models  were the ones with clear couplers. 

I have 3 or 4 of them, lovely wagons but to be honest I don't like the clear couplers. I'd rather have honest black ones, my mind can accept a black thing on the end as part of the model, but clear just looks unnatural and wrong 

They may be less visible against a white background,  but really show up on a layout.

[njee20]

That was always my thought - the above looks good, but layouts are generally dark, and black looks better against darker backdrops.

[paulprice]

maybe we should all use three links? now that would be fun 

[Newportnobby]

maybe we should all use three links? now that would be fun 

Not possible I'm afraid. I'm already one link short of a coupling 

[Bealman]

Bit of an experiment that never really caught on (I believe Mathieson Models are now defunct?)

Could also explain the above post too 

[railsquid]

It's a pity Britain never did what Japan did in a concentrated action over a few days in July 1925, which was to change out all the British-style 3-link couplings for automatic ones, which makes replacing rapidos with something more realistic and less intrusive much easer (also no buffers to worry about).

[thebrighton]

maybe we should all use three links? now that would be fun 

I do and it looks great but coupling a rake of wagons up can take a while..............

[paulprice]

maybe we should all use three links? now that would be fun 

I do and it looks great but coupling a rake of wagons up can take a while..............

Oh dear there is someone out there as mad as I am, how long would it take to couple a 40 wagon train?

[thebrighton]

Oh dear there is someone out there as mad as I am, how long would it take to couple a 40 wagon train?

Depends on the eyesight and frustration levels....

[Mr Sprue]

Here still available on ebay – just not at the old Arnold price (no affiliation with the seller, other sources may be available):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183483463978

NO WAY....REALLY!  For those kind of prices it wouldn't take long for me to make a tool and start knocking them out myself for half that price! 

Talk about daylight robbery, shame the seller isn't showing a huge stock or I would be really tempted.

[Railwaygun]

Why not paint the black coupling with clear varnish??

[Philip.]

Why not paint the black coupling with clear varnish??

Genius, you'll go far