Bill, I accept your obvious challenge... so send me your mailing address (again) and I'll send you TWO of my "PILOT SAMPLES" of the new Sergent couplers so you can test and see for yourself what I already know from my own testing. I expect you to be FAIR... and to video the testing for sharing on the web and/or groups.
And just remember... these will be just "PILOT SAMPLES"... not the finished, refined product. And for the record... what Bill seid about brass models being like a cinder block is just one of the reasons I PREFER plastic models over brass models. It's almost like shooting yourself in the foot if you like long trains... <elbow to Bill's ribs> John Degnan [email protected] [email protected] ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Lane To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, August 03, 2012 06:00 PM Subject: {S-Scale List} Up to the task? Since Sergent has popped up again with some fans and fans in wait posting this came to me. I have my doubts the Sergent couplers at least in S Scale have been tested like the following. On my layout now there is a 40 car all brass freight train. Look in my recent YouTube clip - you can see it. It has been 60 cars at 1 time for a long time when the layout first started running. Taking 20 cars off made it 99% reliable. Peter Vanvliet was here and in spite of oiling all axles Peter can attest to the real pulling forces it takes to move that train. It is like dragging a cinder block. 1 hopper car actually creaks moans and screeches like the real thing going around the curves. Here is what has happened to me using Kadees. I have broken a knuckle. I have torn apart a Kadee coupler box - ripped it in half right at the screws. A car or 2 at the front of the train regularly have they shank stuck out because the coupler box separates open. I wonder if given the delicate nature and soft metal castings of the Sergent couplers if they would stand up for such pulling forces on a long term basis or if at all. They will not have slack action. Is that better or worse? It seems that Andy just said it best. they look great, would be stunning for a shelf layout of easy reach while switching. But I prefer my trains to be a bit longer than 10 or so cars. Thank You, Bill Lane
