Ed,
Aren't characteristics 1 and 9 mutually exclusive? If you want the
darn thing assembled, then what difference does it make that it fits
the #802 or #5 box?
Rhett Graves
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Well Rhett, you old troublemaker you, lemmee 'splain my thinking to clarify.
But only if you promise to NOT ask which rail size is best for S. OK?
Criteria #9 (fully assembled) is for those who object to fiddling around
with the springs. Personally, I don't have any problem with them, but lotsa
other guys dislike their smallness and fragility. Gotta keep 'em happy,
y'know.
Criteria #1 (fit draft gear boxes for both #5 and #802) is to enable this
new theoretically perfect coupler to easily be fitted into molded on draft
gear boxes. Bill Lane's brass boxcar has a cast on draft gear which, while
perfect (in his mind), prevents me from using my beloved #5 couplers unless
I want to grind it all off. Thus, I am forced to not buy one of Bill's
imports. Probably will not be able to buy his gondola or any other of his
imports since Bill wants to cast on the draft gear box on everything he
does. Not a complaint mind you, but just using poor Bill as an example.
Similar comments can be made about the SOUTHERN gondola although it is
easier to modify since it is made of plastic. Still a lot of work and it
certainly detracts from some very nice looking end sill detail to remove the
cast-on draft gear box. But it could be done if needed. So, with that
historical perspective, the new optimum coupler should fit both styles of
cast-on draft gear boxes to provide for an easy installation regardless of
the idiosyncrasies of the car's designer.
Are these two points mutually exclusive? Of course not. Simply remove the
draft gear box if you want to install the coupler into a Lane import or a
SMMW cast resin car or any other cast-on draft gear box. Yep, the engineers
call it "disassembly", but it works and makes things easier. Being the
perfect coupler, the coupler can easily be removed from the draft gear box
merely by saying the magic words "OUT COUPLER"!
Remember -- no questions about rail sizes. Wouldn't want to get the
hornet's nest all stirred up now would you?
Having fun yet? Being new to S is great!
Cheers.....Ed L.
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