Go ahead and upgrade your couplers now!

[Ian MacMillan]

I have been using these for years and mentioned them here! Where have you guys been? Or is it because you just moved over to the dark side! ;D

I think the topic was raised more because of Sergent's new tooling, which was just announced, than because anyone just discovered Sergent couplers. I don't have any of their older couplers, so I'd be interested to see a direct comparison (their website is a bit short on good marketing information).

Ah. I wonder if the ones in your photos are the new tooling, as they look the same as the old tooling...The only real difference I see is that the parting line on the coupler face has been reduced.

[DKS]

I have been using these for years and mentioned them here! Where have you guys been? Or is it because you just moved over to the dark side! ;D

I think the topic was raised more because of Sergent's new tooling, which was just announced, than because anyone just discovered Sergent couplers. I don't have any of their older couplers, so I'd be interested to see a direct comparison (their website is a bit short on good marketing information).

Ah. I wonder if the ones in your photos are the new tooling, as they look the same as the old tooling...The only real difference I see is that the parting line on the coupler face has been reduced.

I presumed them to be the new tooling based on their announcement. If they aren't, well, then they'd need to spell this out on their website.

Looking at the tank car photos, the shape of the underside of the coupler body seems a bit different--it looks as if there is a deep flange-shaped portion protruding downward. The couplers I have don't have this shape. But it's hard to tell from the photos on hand.

[Erik W]

Here is a side by side comparison of the old (darker) and new (lighter) Sergent couplers.









Erik

[DKS]

Thanks for posting that, Erik. Doesn't look like any significant changes, aside from opening up the pocket for the spring. Did they use the same ball-bearing before? The holes for it look a little different.

[Erik W]

Thanks for posting that, Erik. Doesn't look like any significant changes, aside from opening up the pocket for the spring. Did they use the same ball-bearing before? The holes for it look a little different.

David,

They are using the same ball bearing as before.  The more I compare them, the more impressed I am with the retooling Sergent did.  The quality and precision of the parts has gone up and they look like they will be easier to assemble.  In the old instructions they had you file the inside of one of the pieces to clean up what I think was an ejector pin mark of sorts.  That is no longer there.  My guess is at this point these need zero cleanup to get going.  Considering how small these are, I'm impressed with these subtle improvements.  The Sergent website indicates that this husband and wife team are both engineering graduates.  I think that comes through in how well thought out a product this is.  I felt that way over a year ago when I picked up my first Sergents and I feel even more strongly about that now.

Erik

[nscalesteve]

question, will they be ok for On3 or will they look too small... ?

[Chris333]

I thought I read the only reason for retooling was to make them easier to mass produce.

[Erik W]

I thought I read the only reason for retooling was to make them easier to mass produce.

Chris,

That's what I understood too.  They did seem to tweak them a bit though.  I wonder if by mass produce they meant ease and speed of assembly for their prebuilt couplers or if mass produce meant the volume of parts coming off the machines?

Erik

[rswinnerton]

Just got a set of these. I figured I'd buy a set and try 'em out on a couple hopper cars. I'll get some pics up later today with results.
Russ

[jbaakko]

I've been using these since Early 2006.  I simply love them.  They stay coupled when you derail too...

[jbaakko]

Thanks for posting that, Erik. Doesn't look like any significant changes, aside from opening up the pocket for the spring. Did they use the same ball-bearing before? The holes for it look a little different.

That's actually an Old-old-old and a new.  There's 2 version in between.  The first editions had the round hole shown.  The 2-4 (4 being now) have the complete notch in them.  The newest (what I'm referring to as 4) are designed to be produced easier then before.

In any case, my version notes are based upon my observations:

My first version (what I call V2) had the full cut out spring notch.  the one I refer to as V3 was more of a superficial, color change.  V4 would be the new release after the re-tooling.

[railbuilderdave]

those look great, gotta get me some.