Dear JimMy point was that it would have been nice to use the entire Kadee (or,
in this case, SHS) coupler with draftgear for centering. I am sure the
Kadeewould not have worked--PH/SteamDepot had a clunky brass projection on the
underframe to hold Kadees, which I had to cut off and reshape to getthe SHS
draftgear mounted flush with the pilot. There was just enough clearance for
SHS, and apparently their frame was slightly longer than scale,so I am not sure
anyone could do the same with yours and probably won't try cutting out the
scale coupler pocket on yours to attempt it.
Wherever possible I do prefer to use Kadee (or clone) draftgear rather than
mounting just the coupler shank. Sometimes it is not possible, as withmy
historical Kidder 44-tonners in O scale with Wagner purpose-built drives--the
Wagner gearboxes are too close to the inside of the pilots, so I did,in fact,
use a semi-rigid mount through the coined pockets with just the Kadee shank.
Works most of the time for coupling, although the delayedfeature is very hit
and miss.
And it was very instructive to review your prototype images and see the slotted
pilots of the B&O units, much like steeplecab locomotive pilots
(especiallyBaldwin Westinghouse units). The Connecticut Company ex-New Haven
44-tonner used on the East Glastonbury freight-only line used a different
approachto get articulation of the couplers around tight interurban radii with
an extended coupler shank in the draftgear (their repowered box motors never
had real couplers for freight service but chained the cars to the motors).
Jace Kahn
General Manager
Ceres & Canisteo RR Co./Champlain County Traction Co.
As you read thru my 44t instructions, you will come across how to modify the
Kadee coupler to fit. If you want to tinker with an SHS coupler, that’s up to
you but I have no idea if it’ll work. The Kadee shank requires cutting off the
slotted area, rounding the remaining corners and drilling a clearance hole that
matches a hole (that you also drill) thru the pocket casting. Keep in mind
that this is a VERY short wheelbase engine so even normal coupler swing is not
necessary. Only B&O and PRR modified their drawbars to allow for extremely
tight curves at their respective port customers. Thanks for the kudos .. let me
know if you have other questions as you work thru construction. Jim King_._,___
