Charlie Vlk's N scale couplers?!

[peteski]

Mike Skibbe, in his MODEL:160 column in the July/August 2013 NSE Magazine, mentioned that Arnold (Hornby)  might produce couplers based on Charlie Vlk's "innovative coupler design".  It sounds interesting. I did a quick Google search (including model160.com website) but I didn't find anything about Charlie's couplers. Does anybody have any more info about these?

[nkalanaga]

I don't remember any mention of them on the Atlas forum.

[jimmo]

I just sent him an email asking about it. I'll post his reply if and when I get one.

[peteski]

I just sent him an email asking about it. I'll post his reply if and when I get one.

Thanks Jimmo!
I suppose that I could have emailed Skibbe myself, but it is much more fun asking on the forums.    I was also curious if others have heard anything about this.

[jdcolombo]

FWIW, in an e-mail exchange I had with Charlie several weeks ago, he indicated that he had a working coupler design that was near to scale but still compatible with existing knuckle couplers.  I believe he was in discussions with Arnold (Hornby) to use this new design in its new U-boat locomotive and also to produce it as a separate body-mount with draft gear box.

That's all I know - no photos or further description. 

I hope this effort is successful.  A reliable close-to-scale knuckle coupler design that would be an easy replacement for MT (or the Accumate or Bachmann "thing" coupler - I hesitate to refer to it as anything else given it's truly gross size) is the one thing we desperately need in N scale.  We've got terrific scale wheels sets; nice-looking Code 55 track (yes, when available, though ME track is available now, and you can even get Code 40 flex from ME if you are willing to roll your own turnouts), superbly-running locomotives (both diesel and steam, many now with sound on board), highly-detailed rolling stock, etc.  And a coupler that looks like it belongs to O scale (sigh . . .)

John C.

[spookshow]

There was a thread on Trainboard back in July re the new Hornby U25C. Charlie chimed in at one point, and part of his response mentioned the new coupler -

"And yes, at this point it looks like the coupler that I've been working on for years will finally see the light of day on these units. I intend to make the coupler available for retail sales and OEM to any other interested manufacturers. No details will be announced until they are tested and pricing is established so distribution details can be arranged."

Cheers,
-Mark

[6axlepwr]

I am confused Mark.

Is this Charlie's coupler or your coupler?

[spookshow]

That quote is from Charlie re his coupler. I don't have a coupler 

-Mark

[6axlepwr]

Thanks Mark for clearing that up for me.

I have seen the drawings of this coupler and I would like it to see the light of day. Especially as an aftermarket alternative. If I knew it was going to see mass production, I would contact Charlie and get the pin to head dimension so I could design my draft gear boxes to fit this coupler.

[kornellred]

Hmmmm...it's what not being said, and who it's not being said by, that makes this thread so interesting.

[jimmo]

Thanks Jimmo!
I suppose that I could have emailed Skibbe myself, but it is much more fun asking on the forums.    I was also curious if others have heard anything about this.

It was an email to Charlie. It sounds as though it's been addressed already in this thread.

[eric220]

Hmmmm...it's what not being said, and who it's not being said by, that makes this thread so interesting.

I'm not the only one that noticed then.

[learmoia]

Comment Removed.

[peteski]

+1.  my excitement for that announcement is starting to fade in the light of other options.

Why?  Usually having more options (assuming that the couplers are all compatible) is usually a good thing.  I honestly never heard of the "Vlk coupler" in the past and after the mention at the Milwaukee convention I was curious if and how much others have heard about these.  Sounds like Charlie has been keeping his design under wraps for years.

Unfortunately, some of the newest N scale couplers (Bachmann EZ-Mate and McHenry) were to me giant steps backward. I also don't care for Accumates. I hope that Charlie's coupler will see the light of the day soon and that ti will be a positive step in N scale coupler evolution.

[delamaize]

I'm still waiting for dks couplers myself......