John, I believe you missed my point. Kadee is already committed to a new O scale standard gauge coupler, and according to Jerry Kits at Foothill Model Works (who saw the announcement on Kadee's website) they are also going to do an improved version of their On3 narrow gauge coupler. Typically, narrow gauge couplers were referred to as 3/4 MCB couplers because they were 3/4 the size of a standard gauge coupler. If the new narrow gauge coupler is built to scale size as has been hinted (3/4 of an O standard gauge coupler) it would automatically also be S scale, because 1/64 scale is 3/4 of 1/48 scale. Some questions remain, like will the new couplers couple up with the old ones? Will Kadee continue producing the old style couplers once the new ones are released?
You are correct that the only difference between the current Kadee On3 and S scale couplers is the length of the trip pin (the On3 pin is slightly longer). This means that even if Kadee doesn't make a new S scale coupler based on the new On3 knuckle, and even if Kadee discontinues their current S coupler, S modelers will only need to re-bend the trip pin on the new On3 coupler in order to use it for S scale. The new couplers are said to have more accurate cast-on details and also an internal knuckle spring for a more scale-like appearance. I think we S scalers should contact Kadee to clarify the situation and also to let them know we are all interested in whatever they are doing to develop new products that might also be useful for S scale modelers. Regards, Bill in FL --- In [email protected], Scaler164@... wrote: > > > > The Kadee On3 couplers (#s 803 and 807)  IS, to the best of my knowledge, >  the exact  same coupler as the Kadee S (# 802 and 808) coupler with > exception of the length of the metal uncoupler bar below the coupler. They > must be since they all use the exact same gearbox . T he Kadee 802/808 is > too large for S... but the reality is that it is only SLIGHTLY too large. > So I doubt Kadee will ever do a closer to scale coupler for S . > > > > I don't know if Frank is aware of Kadee's plans... but I'll mention it to him > when next I speak with him. > > > > > John Degnan > > Scaler164@... > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Bill Nielsen" <wrangler@...> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 2:36:58 PM > Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: LATEST WORD from Sergent Engineering > > They haven't said so, but I'm hoping they'll make a version of the On3 > coupler for S scale while they're at it. Perhaps we should send them a > barrage of "S" scale inquiries to remind them we're still here. > > I wonder if Frank Sargent is aware of this commitment to scales other than HO > by Kadee? > > Bill in FL > > > [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: [email protected] [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/
