Charlie Vlk's N scale couplers?!

[MichaelWinicki]

I am too, but coupler-size wise I'm not sure what to think.

Optimally I would like a smaller coupler than what we currently have that will connect to existing knuckle couplers and will fit an MT and Accumate box.

I follow the thread on the on the other part of the forum and I see what folks like Gary and Ed are going through to utilize smaller couplers– and I don't want to go through that.  At least as it applies to the box.  I would like to be able to utilize existing boxes.

[Sokramiketes]

The coupler design goes back 5-6 years already, maybe longer.  It's been rapid prototyped a couple times; I saw early samples.  It's been shopped around to a few companies... one even made it so far as to be rejected by a contractor in China when proposed.  I'm really glad that it looks like Arnold will finally be the one to pick it up and release it to the masses.  I also hope it looks as good as the original design after it makes it out of tooling.  It could be a real winner if so.

[jmlaboda]

It will be interesting to see how these couplers look and how well they work.  One key will be price, once these are released (and I do hope they will be).  It has been said that it is a great time to be modeling in N-scale and now with the potential of three new coupler designs that hopefully will provide N-scale with scale or close to scale size while providing proper service in all areas will make the effort even more valuable!!!

"The times, they are a changin..." and for once I believe that the change will actually be a good one overall!!!

[ncbqguy]

At this point in time I do not have any details for availability beyond the coupler being tooled for the Hornby Rivarossi  Arnold N Scale U25C.

It is my intention to have the coupler made available to other manufacturers and distributed through wholesale and retail outlets.   Details of production, pricing, packaging and distribution still have to be worked out.

The coupler will solve some of the problems inherent in existing N Scale couplers:
Appearance
Size (with feature to preserve vertical "gather distance" to maintain coupling on rough track)
Fixed Pivot
Metal Closure/Centering Spring inside draft gear box
Eliminated Slop in Draft Gear Box and Knuckle
Smaller Draft Gear Box (comes with Shim to bulk out width and depth for current big box pilot mounting situations)
Anti-collapse feature when being pushed
Ease of assembly

It has been designed to work with existing M-T and clones/compatibles knuckle couplers. 

Tooling is nearing completion on the U25C and preproduction samples will be thoroughly tested before being released for production.  The U25C is on target for 2Q 2014 release so I expect more details will be available in the next couple of months as to availability and pricing.

At this time a conventional normal shank version is being tooled.   Designs for Ultra-Short Shank (between covered wagon units and other similar applications), long shank, offset shank and cushioned underframe versions are possible and will be made with the anticipated success of the "normal" version.

Charlie Vlk
Railroad Model Resources

[wcfn100]

Any details about the plans to buy a camera to take a picture of said couplers?


Jason

[ncbqguy]

Any details about the plans to buy a camera to take a picture of said couplers?


Jason-   Read my post carefully....I have a camera but no preproduction shots to take pictures of yet.....
Charlie Vlk
Railroad Model Resources

[peteski]

That's a great news (both about the model and the couplers). Thanks for the update Charlie!

[wcfn100]

Jason-   Read my post carefully....I have a camera but no preproduction shots to take pictures of yet.....
Charlie Vlk
Railroad Model Resources

Okay, I was under the impression that some people (Skibbe?) had already seen this coupler.

Jason

[ednadolski]

The coupler will solve some of the problems inherent in existing N Scale couplers:
Appearance
Size (with feature to preserve vertical "gather distance" to maintain coupling on rough track)
Fixed Pivot
Metal Closure/Centering Spring inside draft gear box
Eliminated Slop in Draft Gear Box and Knuckle
Smaller Draft Gear Box (comes with Shim to bulk out width and depth for current big box pilot mounting situations)
Anti-collapse feature when being pushed
Ease of assembly

Does this translate as: "no slinky effect"?

Ed

[robert3985]

I'm looking forward to seeing Charlie's design.

However, with both this design and DKS's NZT coupler project, I have doubts as to their appearance because of the assumed necessity of being MT compatible.

A revolutionary design would just scrap that necessity, just as MT didn't  attempt to be Rapido compatible.

A good example of incompatibility and excellent design/appearance is the HO scale Sergeant Coupler, with no unprototypical centering spring, no "Magnematic" uncoupling, no common coupler box compatibility, and Kadee incompatibility. 

That lack of compatibility for the Sergeants sort of eliminates the possibility of a large manufacturer including them as standard equipment, and relegates them to the aftermarket. But remember, Kadees and MT's did that for a period also.

Pelle Soeborg's article in MR about converting his entire fleet all at once was interesting, but a couple of transition cars would have allowed more time to convert, just as transition cars would work for converting to non-MT-compatible N-scale couplers too...I did it when converting over to MT's from Rapidos back in my Ntrak days along with all of my other fellow club members. I still have one transition car as a reminder of those days.

But, all my previous musings may be totally wasted time if Charlie's coupler somehow looks prototypical and still retains its MT compatibility...which I sincerely hope is the case!

[cnw mike]

I love sergent couplers and personally cannot wait for a better n-scale alternative as well. It it is MT compatible, that's great but if not I would still switch over. I'm buying the first one to hit the market that looks more like a real coupler and lacks the annoying slack action of the MT.

[JMaurer1]

Hummm, first time a bunch of guys (at least on this board) have ever argued over size where smaller is considered better...

[TiVoPrince]

Allegedly
Sergent couplers do mix with Kadee #58 and similar.  Although the Kadee delayed uncoupling feature is not available the Sergent method  is said to work although I have no firsthand experience...

[tom mann]

The HO scale Sergent couplers do indeed work with a variety of other HO scale couplers, and not just the #58s.   I don't think I would trust the set up in a long train, but for the Hinshaw Valley 4 car trains it works fine.

I'm also looking forward to DKS' design (Vlk's too).

[GaryHinshaw]

FWIW, I have been really happy with the Bowser/Full Throttle couplers and our etched pockets.  Not really interested in pushing it, because it's not for everyone, but it is an existing option that is turning out to be quite reliable on my layout and is compatible with all the major N couplers, so mass conversion is not necessary.

added - of course I am curious to see any new offerings that come down the pike.