Hi JWM; The Sergent couplers only uncouple with a magnetic wand. I have not used them myself, so cannot comment on the reliability. There is a review of the S version of the coupler here:
http://webpages.charter.net/kbt1/coupler.html Sergent old a device called the "Switchman" which allowed uncoupling beyond operator reach. The S couplers do not currently appear on the Sergent web site (at least I couldn't find them) so if you were considering using them you might want to inquire about current availability. They are essentially a scale model of the real Type E coupler. The Kadee coupler is also available in rust, the number is 808. In addition to the size (which it appears is pretty close to the Type E) the shape obviously is not as close as the Sergent or the newer "scale" Kadee's in HO. The SHS coupler is very similar to the 802/808, except for the shorter shank and mounting. The slack action often complained of with the Kadee 802 is an issue with the SHS coupler because of the different mounting. Interestingly, most of the HO layouts I've seen in operation do not use the Kadee delayed action feature. I suspect because it distorts operation (real trains generally don't open the couplers before shoving a car into a spur track, unless maybe they are going to "kick" the car). These operators may also ignore the automatic feature because if you use under track magnets you need to avoid any magnetic material on the cars or else use only electro-magnets under any through track. Cars with steel axles (or steel wire end rails) may be pulled into a permanent magnet, causing slack which allows the Kadees to uncouple as a train passes over. Pieter E. Roos Railroad Home Page at www.geocities.com/pieter_roos/pieter_1.html --- On Thu, 9/4/08, JWM <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: JWM <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: {S-Scale List} SHS Coupler To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, September 4, 2008, 10:46 AM Seems like folks want a smaller coupler? That works? This suggests: 1) Sergent is difficult to uncouple / couple ? Is this true ? It's certainly a good looking coupler and I assume correct in size. "Looks" smaller... but then that could be simply that it is more detailed. Looks can be deceiving. I realize that this is not mainstream according to the last 50 years in the hobby... but maybe it's a step in the right direction. 2) Kadee coupler's only flaw is the size? I agree that they only "work" marginally, too. I'm more a fan of manual uncoupling whether with "magnet wands", "tweezers" or some other means. The under track uncoupler seems to work when you don't want it, and not work when you do. Yes, there are "fixes" for this, but they're a pain. My biggest beef is the color. And the HO coupler looks too small. With most other things tending toward over-scale, a coupler that is under-scale seems more likely to be too small for the job. And besides... aren't all the factory holes pre-drilled for the KADEE ? 3) SHS - the last man standing. I'm not seeing much mention here. Looks like the Kadee but it's the right color. It's S scale. Anyone using it? Seems like if you don't want to go out on the Sergent limb, this is the place to go. Love the variety of opinion... but the SHS seems to get no show. Just wondering what folks think of either SHS or Sergent. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
