Best Of Notes on body-mount couplers (work-in-progress)

[ednadolski]

I've finally gotten my new helix installed, so I can put together a train of more than ~20 cars to see how the Z-scale Bowser couplers perform with the etched pockets in a longer train.   Here is a video that I shot of a train with four Kato locos pulling a string of 44 cars up the grade on my little Tehachapi Loop layout:

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In this train, the first 14 cars are equipped with the Z-scale Bowser couplers.  Most also have the etched pockets, tho some of the Exactrail cars have the factory-installed body-mount pockets.   The lead loco also has the Bowser couplers installed (using the plastic FT coupler pocket).  The remaining cars have a mix of MicroTrains/Accumate/McHenry couplers. Since I haven't had the time to convert them all, I put the cars with the Z couplers at the head end where they would have to endure the greatest stresses.

I'm pretty pleased with how the Bowser couplers have performed so far.  I only have had one coupler separation with them, which turned out to be my fault due to a poor installation resulting in a substantial height mismatch.  I actually have had more separations with the other types of couplers - the Accumates simply let go from time to time, and the Micro-Trains have a tendency to uncouple due to the slack/pogo action when the train is descending the grade at low speed (around 5-10 scale mph).

I'm also encouraged by how the Bowser couplers behave while traversing the tight S-curve at East Walong  before the train enters Tunnel 10  (you can't see Tunnel 10 in the video, but it's just out of the frame to the left, too close for the camera to focus).  Those curves are only about 16" radius, yet no cars have ever stringlined while going thru there, even with all the power at the front of the train.

BTW I also can't say enough about how I am liking the metal wheels.  Used to be with plastic wheels that one engine could pull about 9 cars up the grade, but with metal wheels one engine can pull about 11 cars.   Plus I think the track stays cleaner for longer.

Now it's on to doing more conversions!

Ed

[GaryHinshaw]

That is so awesome!  Nice sound clip too.

[JSL]

That is so cool. Love the whole scene!

[Philip H]

Ed,
I don't recall seeing pics of your layout before (maybe I need more coffee) but that scene, and that train, are seriously basted in awesome sauce!  Gary, the bar has been set!

As to the couplers, this just confirms my suspicions that the coupler boxes you guys have been designing ought to be a standard on my layout as well.  I have already started body mounting on the rest of my fleet, so the holes will be drilled and tapped when these go into production.

[GaryHinshaw]

Philip, Ed's Loop has been an inspiration to me for a long time.

[Scottl]

Very inspirational, indeed!  The sound effects were also nicely done.

[Denver Road Doug]

Man, I'll confess I somehow don't recall having ever seen Ed's layout either.   It's downright crazy good.

Just got my order of couplers in...it's pretty amazing how stinkin' small they are!   I have some from the previous order (with truck frames and coupler boxes) and they were no doubt small, but seeing just the couplers (200 of 'em) in a ziploc....about like looking at a ziploc one-fourth-full of black pepper!   I couldn't help but think..."I spent $100 on this?".   Then I was thinking...no way there's 200 couplers in there...pile is way too small.    Trust me, I totally appreciate what I'll be getting out of them and completely believe it will be worth it....but buyer's remorse sure smacks you upside the head there for a second!

Now anxiously awaiting the final tweaks and the eventual release of the coupler boxes.   (well not that anxiously really....I got plenty of stuff to do in the mean time)

[GaryHinshaw]

I just got my order yesterday too and had the exact same reaction, even though I was used to their size.  In my case, however, I had ordered (and paid for) 200 pair, but was only sent 200 couplers (100 pr).  Good thing my instincts told me to count....  To Bowser's credit, they are correcting the error with no questions asked.

-gfh

P.S. I have not actually completed an installation with the latest run of the pockets, but they look to me like they're ready for prime time, so we'll get on that soon...

[ednadolski]

I have not actually completed an installation with the latest run of the pockets, but they look to me like they're ready for prime time, so we'll get on that soon...

It's taken me some time to get around to it, but here are a few quick pix of the latest pocket, installed on a WIP boxcar.   This is the short-hose version, with the new etching replacing the previous version.  Cut levers are made out of 0.005" stainless steel wire:









One thing I should have included in the etching is a height gauge.   Ah well, maybe in the next run...   

Ed

[Philip H]

Dang!

[Denver Road Doug]

I just got my order yesterday too and had the exact same reaction, even though I was used to their size.  In my case, however, I had ordered (and paid for) 200 pair, but was only sent 200 couplers (100 pr).  Good thing my instincts told me to count....  To Bowser's credit, they are correcting the error with no questions asked.

I guess I better count mine closely.  I just quickly counted out 50, which looked to be about a fourth of my pile. (I only got 100 pair, 200 total)

[timwatson]

What's the blue glue in this pic?

[ednadolski]

Hi Tim, actually that's just some paint.  I installed this pocket to replace an older version of the pocket, which I had painted.  (The blue I used was not a very good match for the blue on the ends of the car -- some sloppy work on my part )

Ed

[sizemore]

So how can we get on board to purchase some etchings?

The S.

[timwatson]

Ha here I was hoping for some magic Delrin or brass stickem that'll teach me. 
Wonderful video by the way.

Hi Tim, actually that's just some paint.  I installed this pocket to replace an older version of the pocket, which I had painted.  (The blue I used was not a very good match for the blue on the ends of the car -- some sloppy work on my part )

Ed