Author Topic: Coupler boxes for Protocraft Clouser couplers  (Read 1509 times)

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svedblen

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Coupler boxes for Protocraft Clouser couplers
« on: February 17, 2017, 02:54:29 PM »
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As I mentioned in my layout thread I intend to equip my O scale rolling stock with Type E Clouser couplers from Protocraft, shown here http://www.protocraft.com/category.cfm?ItemID=146&Categoryid=15

I have not yet understood if Protocraft carries any suitable coupler boxes, or if the original Atlas coupler boxes can be used. Or if I need to make my own. So I thought I would pose the question here, to anyone having any experince with these couplers.
Lennart

ednadolski

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Re: Coupler boxes for Protocraft Clouser couplers
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2017, 04:56:39 PM »
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Those Clouser couplers have been around for a long time.  I believe that they may fit some kinds of (older?) brass models but I don't have any so I cannot say for sure.  So you are very likely in "roll your  own" territory.   There also are some 1:48 scale coupler boxes on Shapeways.  I have used this one with the Clouser coupler on my Atlas O 60' Hi-Cube Berwick car:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/RAV7MNTEX/cr-223331-berwick-pcw-1-8pack?optionId=55158093

These boxes are designed for the Berwick and I was able to adapt the Clouser by tapping for a 00-80 screw to install from the bottom.  There are a few other kinds of boxes available as well, try searching Shapeways for "Protocraft", "etraxx", "MicroMimesis", and "Jim's O Scale Detail Store".  (These things tend to come and go, so if you find one that works it might not be a bad idea to get a few extras.)

Protocraft used to offer another kind of Clouser that had the Kadee style shank but it looks like those are no longer available.  They evidently have been replaced with the Symington-Gould version which also comes with its own plastic box.  I have not used any of these SGs so I cannot comment on how well they work.  The box could probably made to look more contemporary by adding a few styrene strips of the right size.

The SGs come in two varieties: magnetic, which uses a magnetic wand to lift the coupler pin and open the knuckle; and a bottom-operating lift-pin that requires a working uncoupling lever be installed on the car (just like the prototype).  For my own cars I am planning to construct working cut levers.  I have tried the magnetic wand but did not like it because it tends to pull the couplers a bit out of alignment, so that the next time they have to be re-aligned before the hook can be made.

The Clousers may also need a fair degree of filing to get them to operate smoothly.  It looks like the SGs come pre-assembled and pre-painted, which saves work.   I do not know if the Clousers and SGs will interoperate seamlessly, but it looks like they might.

Cheers,
Ed

svedblen

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Re: Coupler boxes for Protocraft Clouser couplers
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2017, 09:28:53 AM »
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Thanks Ed. Great info!

I've also seen the Symington-Gould couplers, but do not want the magnetic action. Also, I need both bottom and top pin lift uncoupling, and these couplers come in 5 packs of either kind (they are at least adverised that way), and since I do not need that many, I have decided to go for the Clouser couplers. If I have to spend time filing, so be it, a hobby is a passtime is it not?   :)

The Berwick couplers on Shapeways really looks good, with a lot of detail! Might not be correct for my PS-4427 hoppers, but.... For now I'll just sit tight until I have the couplers in hand.



Lennart

svedblen

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Re: Coupler boxes for Protocraft Clouser couplers
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2017, 09:42:42 AM »
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I got in contact with the guy who had designed the Berwick coupler boxes mentioned above and on sale at Shapeways. I asked him if he thought those boxes would fit my PS-4427 hoppers. He said no, but kindly (and totally surprising for me  :o) offered to design some that would  :D  I guess he could use some for himself, and not did this out of kindness only. But who knows? Anyway, I am very grateful. We exchanged some proto and model photos, along with some model measurements, and he came up with this beauty:



The box is not specifically designed for the Protocraft Clouser coupler, since he wanted a more generic design. But I think I'll be able to come up with some way of mounting such a coupler in the box. The box will at least be easily attached to the car, using the original mounting screws and holes.

So now I'm eagerly waiting for my Shapeways order to arrive (You can find the boxes on Shapeways by searching for "CvdHpr PS-4427").

« Last Edit: September 21, 2022, 12:57:26 PM by svedblen »
Lennart

svedblen

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Re: Coupler boxes for Protocraft Clouser couplers
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2017, 10:36:20 AM »
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The coupler boxes arrived a few days ago. If you want to see what they look like, and how (and if  :facepalm:) I eventually install them and the couplers, please refer to in my layout thread https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=36450.msg518814#msg518814.
Lennart