009 couplers ?
Richard Brooke
Hi,
I am just getting started in 009.
To this end I am building a couple of engines from blackwood minatures.
What I need advice on please is couplers.
Does anyone have an recommendations ?
Regards
Richard
Andrew McIntyre
In article <895519959.17039.0...@news.demon.co.uk>,
Richard Brooke <ric...@rbrooke.demon.co.uk> writes
couplings for 009. The features are:
Etched Brass Body
Phosphor Bronze wire loop
Magnetic operation
Automatic Delay
Only UKP2.95(this could have gone up by now) for 16 couplings, or 32 if
you do a bit of bashing and don't turn your stock around.
Disadvantages of D.G. couplings:
Fiddly to build
Might need maintenance - I don't know, I haven't used mine yet!
If you don't do very much shunting, you could use Paul Windle couplings,
which are BEMO compatible and something like UKP4.50 for a number I've
forgotten.
Join the 009 society if you are not already a member and talk it over
with some other members.
--
Andrew McIntyre
www.mcintyre0.demon.co.uk
email: and...@mcintyre0.demon.co.uk
Mike Kerslake
On 18 May 1998 20:11:52, "Richard Brooke" wrote:
>Hi,
>I am just getting started in 009.
Good choice :-)
>To this end I am building a couple of engines from blackwood minatures.
>What I need advice on please is couplers.
>
>Does anyone have an recommendations ?
Well I suppose you mean couplings for the engine as opposed to rolling
stock couplings?
Rolling stock couplings seem to be available from the following
manufacturers:
Bemo, Peco, Meridian, Paul Windle and Greenwich NGS. I've used or have
constructed couplings from Bemo, Paul Windle and Greenwich NGS. The latter
two are reasonably simple to make fold and assemble jobs. The GNGS are
slightly finer, but I reckon the Paul Windle ones are less fiddly!
Engine couplings I have no real experience of as my engines are RTR and the
coupling came with the Peco GVT loco kit, but Meridian sell packs of loco
couplings in long and short versions for around 3 quid. I haven't used them
or seen them, but I would imagine they'll do the job!
Kind regards
Mike Kerslake
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Anthony Coulls
Andrew McIntyre wrote:
> >What I need advice on please is couplers.
> >
> >Does anyone have an recommendations ?
> Hmm. It really depends on personal preference. I am using D.G. 3mm
> couplings for 009. The features are:
> Etched Brass Body
> Phosphor Bronze wire loop
> Magnetic operation
> Automatic Delay
> Only UKP2.95(this could have gone up by now) for 16 couplings, or 32 if
> you do a bit of bashing and don't turn your stock around.
>
> Disadvantages of D.G. couplings:
> Fiddly to build
> Might need maintenance - I don't know, I haven't used mine yet!
I'd go along with this, having started 11 years ago using Bemo and Bemo
compatible couplers, they didn't look right when fitted to smaller stock.
I have since put DG's on things such as my Talyllyn No.3 "Sir Hadyn" and
Corris rolling stock and it looks and operates much better. Plus with
magnets in strategic locations you can perform "hands off" automatic
uncoupling when shunting.
A friend who looks after the TR's own "Wharf-Pendre" 009 layout swears by
DG's, and having operated the layout many times, I've yet to remember a
real failure to uncouple which was entirely the fault of the coupler.
Being brass and wire, they are surprisingly robust as well.
If you've Backwoods Miniatures locos, then I'd opt for the DG system, or
Meridan Models if you prefer (as Mike Kerslake mentions)
Anthony Coulls
Andrew McIntyre
In article <3561B2...@nmsi.ac.uk>, Anthony Coulls
<a.co...@nmsi.ac.uk> writes
>I have since put DG's on things such as my Talyllyn No.3 "Sir Hadyn" and
>Corris rolling stock and it looks and operates much better. Plus with
>magnets in strategic locations you can perform "hands off" automatic
>uncoupling when shunting.
right words. Thanks. By the way, are they fiddly to build and do they
need maintenance?
Anthony Coulls
Andrew McIntyre wrote:
Plus with
> >magnets in strategic locations you can perform "hands off" automatic
> >uncoupling when shunting.
> That was the thing I was trying to say, but I couldn't quite find the
> right words. Thanks. By the way, are they fiddly to build and do they
> need maintenance?
They're etched brass and wire. The coupler bodies come as etched frets,
and will need folding up, while the wire hoops will need bending to
shape. I seem to remember that you can get a jig from DG to help with
this and save you bleeding fingers!
Maintenance wise, you should be Ok so long as you don't subject them to
abuse, such as dropping them or running locos hard into buffer stops.
Periodic checks to make sure the loops are lifting freely should be all
you need to do.
Hope this helps
Anthony
Mike Parkes
pub...@cix.co.uk (Mike Kerslake) wrote:
>Bemo, Peco, Meridian, Paul Windle and Greenwich NGS. I've used or have
>constructed couplings from Bemo, Paul Windle and Greenwich NGS. The latter
>two are reasonably simple to make fold and assemble jobs. The GNGS are
>slightly finer, but I reckon the Paul Windle ones are less fiddly!
Paul does claim them to be the best 009 coupling. I've got a pack of
them as well as a pack of the GNGS ones to try out. The DG type
mentioned in other postings are very fiddly to put together and also
not too robust as they easilly get bent in stock boxes. Anyone fancy
realigning about 40 of them ?
One coupling type which is often ignored is the B & B. A more robust
version of the DG and a lot easier to asemble. It is comparable to
Bemo in size and was featured in the very first issue of BRM.
Mike Parkes
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Andrew McIntyre
In article <356303...@nmsi.ac.uk>, Anthony Coulls
<a.co...@nmsi.ac.uk> writes
>They're etched brass and wire. The coupler bodies come as etched frets,
>and will need folding up, while the wire hoops will need bending to
>shape.
Also soldering the ferrous wire to the phosphor-bronze loop, but that's
just my incompetence.
> I seem to remember that you can get a jig from DG to help with
>this and save you bleeding fingers!
>
slightly empty-headed friend was buying DGs as well, so I convinced him
that he needed the jig. I received both sets of couplings by mail to
save on P+P and used his jig to form my wire loops before giving it to
him! Also, he was a little annoyed at having to pay UKP2.30 for a tiny
block of wood with a hole in it!!!!!!
>Maintenance wise, you should be Ok so long as you don't subject them to
>abuse, such as dropping them or running locos hard into buffer stops.
>Periodic checks to make sure the loops are lifting freely should be all
>you need to do.
very freely. I've tried putting some light mineral oil on, but that
doesn't seem to help.
Mike Kerslake
On 20 May 1998 20:56:19, Mike Parkes wrote:
>Paul does claim them to be the best 009 coupling. I've got a pack of
Someone mentioned recently that the Paul Windle ones gave an extra bit of
weight to stock.
>them as well as a pack of the GNGS ones to try out. The DG type
>mentioned in other postings are very fiddly to put together and also
>not too robust as they easilly get bent in stock boxes. Anyone fancy
>realigning about 40 of them ?
No :-)
>One coupling type which is often ignored is the B & B. A more robust
>version of the DG and a lot easier to asemble. It is comparable to
>Bemo in size and was featured in the very first issue of BRM.
I've never seen these, anyone point me towards someone selling them?
Ben Fisher
Richard Brooke wrote:
>
> Hi,
> I am just getting started in 009.
>
> Does anyone have an recommendations ?
A bit off-topic, as when (long pause...) I get to the coupler stage with
the 2 Backwoods kits I have, I'll probably turn and file my own from
solid. It's possible to make a very small loco coupler this way that
mates with Bemo etc, but doesn't spoil the look (for instance, it makes
all the difference to the Dundas Festiniog & Blaenau loco) What I'd be
grateful for is any tips on successful fitting of the double reduction
gearboxes in the (superb!) Backwoods 009 kits. On "Russell" at least, it
has to sit between the back-to-back of the driving wheels (loco has
outside frames), and the clearances are infinitessimally small! Apart
from the fit, I'm concerned about shorting, even though the instructions
show how to eliminate sideplay on the axle in question.
You're lucky to be starting in 009 with stock of this quality; when I
started out we were stuck with overpriced 2nd-hand Eggerbahn, Roco
engines with the old burn-out mechanisms, and low-grade whitemetal kits
needing chassis you couldn't get from one year to the next. Someone
tried to sell me one (whose moulds were clapped out in 1975-odd) the
other day!
Ben Fisher
--
.....................................................
Dr. Ben Fisher University of Wales, Bangor
Mail: b.j.f...@bangor.ac.uk
WHR Project: http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ml/whr/
*** Usual disclaimers, blah, blah, blah ***
Mike Parkes
pub...@cix.co.uk (Mike Kerslake) wrote:
>On 20 May 1998 20:56:19, Mike Parkes wrote:
>>One coupling type which is often ignored is the B & B. A more robust
>>version of the DG and a lot easier to asemble. It is comparable to
>>Bemo in size and was featured in the very first issue of BRM.
>
>I've never seen these, anyone point me towards someone selling them?
>
I bought some shortly after the magazine article was published, which
came from the manufacturer.... but I seem to have lost the address :-(
Mike Kerslake
On 22 May 1998 17:24:34, Mike Parkes wrote:
>I bought some shortly after the magazine article was published, which
>came from the manufacturer.... but I seem to have lost the address :-(
No problem, I see that Nigel has got some up-to-date info.
Thanks for the pointer anyway :-)
Mike Kerslake
On 21 May 1998 17:14:51, Ben Fisher wrote:
>You're lucky to be starting in 009 with stock of this quality; when I
>started out we were stuck with overpriced 2nd-hand Eggerbahn, Roco
>engines with the old burn-out mechanisms, and low-grade whitemetal kits
>needing chassis you couldn't get from one year to the next. Someone
>tried to sell me one (whose moulds were clapped out in 1975-odd) the
>other day!
I remember when I bought my first 009 back in the early 70s, a
Jouef/Playcraft Decauville steamer and tipper wagons and an oval of track!
I bought a couple of Lilliput coaches for 2 pind, but I see they're now
selling s/h for 7 or 8 pounds!
There's no doubt that RTR stock in all scales has improved dramatically in
the last twenty years since I stopped modelling. Now I'm back into it, I'm
amazed at the range and quality of much of the stuff, but just sad that
there's not really any British outline 009 RTR stuff available :-(((
Did anyone else see the interview with a model shop owner in the south of
the UK in a recent MRE? He was asked what he would like to see the UK
model railway manufacturers start to produce and he stated RTR 009 because
he was aware that there was a large unfilled market for it!!!
James Finister
As 009 News has pointed out Paul Windle is the UK's one man rtr 009
industry. His Bachmann based products (see my examples at
http://www.geocities.com/soho/4471/oo9pages.html )are as cheap as any full
blown oo9 commercial would be and of very high quality. I suspect that there
are very few UK narrow gauge prototypes which would attract widespread sales
(Prince ?) A pity the Thomas the Tank engine boom a few years ago didn't
spawn something. I suppose the various Alcos and Baldwins which have worked
in the UK might be a commercial proposition if aimed primarily at the US
market- like the G gauge Bachmann Lyn.
James
Mike Kerslake wrote in message
<6k9vle$sn1$3...@plutonium.compulink.co.uk>There's no doubt that RTR stock in
Mike Kerslake
On 25 May 1998 13:34:21, "James Finister" wrote:
>As 009 News has pointed out Paul Windle is the UK's one man rtr 009
>industry. His Bachmann based products (see my examples at
>http://www.geocities.com/soho/4471/oo9pages.html )are as cheap as any full
>blown oo9 commercial would be and of very high quality. I suspect that there
>are very few UK narrow gauge prototypes which would attract widespread sales
Having seen Paul Windle's stuff I can vouch for the quality and extremely
fair price, and I shall be placing an order for something very soon. But
that's where the problem lies, I understand that Paul has a huge waiting
list for stuff and you have to know about him to order (and wait) for it.
The general/novice 009 modeller, unless a member of the 009 Society, will
be unaware of Paul's service.
>(Prince ?) A pity the Thomas the Tank engine boom a few years ago didn't
>spawn something. I suppose the various Alcos and Baldwins which have worked
>in the UK might be a commercial proposition if aimed primarily at the US
>market- like the G gauge Bachmann Lyn.
I have seen a 009 layout running an ERTL Duke though!
Mike Parkes
pub...@cix.co.uk (Mike Kerslake) wrote:
>
>I have seen a 009 layout running an ERTL Duke though!
>
Not tried that one but I've got a 009 Drewry diesel shunter (ERTL
Mavis) running on a Farish GP/94xx 0-6-0T chassis and a 0-6-0ST (ERTL
Bill / Ben) running on a Farish 08/J94 0-6-0T chassis with valve gear
added akin way used by the GEM Bagnall of the Farish GP/94xx 0-6-0T
chassis.
Mike Kerslake
On 30 May 1998 16:45:24, Mike Parkes wrote:
>Not tried that one but I've got a 009 Drewry diesel shunter (ERTL
>Mavis) running on a Farish GP/94xx 0-6-0T chassis and a 0-6-0ST (ERTL
>Bill / Ben) running on a Farish 08/J94 0-6-0T chassis with valve gear
>added akin way used by the GEM Bagnall of the Farish GP/94xx 0-6-0T
>chassis.
Nice one/s! :-))
My son actually wants Mavis for his TTTE collection, so perhaps I can buy
it and lose it into my box at some stage! :-)
Richard J. Standing
On 1 Jun 1998, Mike Kerslake wrote:
> On 30 May 1998 16:45:24, Mike Parkes wrote:
>
> >Not tried that one but I've got a 009 Drewry diesel shunter (ERTL
> >Mavis) running on a Farish GP/94xx 0-6-0T chassis and a 0-6-0ST (ERTL
> >Bill / Ben) running on a Farish 08/J94 0-6-0T chassis with valve gear
> >added akin way used by the GEM Bagnall of the Farish GP/94xx 0-6-0T
> >chassis.
>
> Nice one/s! :-))
>
> My son actually wants Mavis for his TTTE collection, so perhaps I can buy
> it and lose it into my box at some stage! :-)
>
I've often wondered about using the ERTL Duke for a Festinog England
loco. It would require some work to separate the loco and tender, but it
should be possible if a suitable chassis could be found. At any rate, it
could always be used for the static "Welsh Pony" at Portmadoc.