Bill, Talk about testing design limits of a product. Long, long time ago when I thought Flyer was the extent of the S universe I messed around with a PA shell trying to super detail it. Part of the experiment used the KD O scale coupler that was metal. It looked really good when compared to the AF claw. Later I was rather disappointed to find that the S scale version was plastic. If they were a sturdy metal product you could pull the house down.
I once loaded my layout with a train from nose to tail around the loop - all plastic. I don't remember the count but it was up in the 50 to 60 car range. The train groaned squeeked and creaked around the 36" radius curves. The track work failed at a turnout that had a little uneven topography before the couplers ever did, though some of the couplers suffered from hyper extended shanks. Ben Trousdale --- In [email protected], "Bill Lane" <bill@...> wrote: > > 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 > > Modeling the Mighty Pennsy & PRSL in 1957 in S Scale since 1988 > > See my finished models at: > <http://www.lanestrains.com/> http://www.lanestrains.com > Look at what has been made in PRR in S Scale! > > > > See my layout progess at: > > <http://www.lanestrains.com/My_Layout.htm> > http://www.lanestrains.com/My_Layout.htm > > Custom Train Parts Design > <http://www.lanestrains.com/SolidWorks_Modeling.htm> > http://www.lanestrains.com/SolidWorks_Modeling.htm > > PRR Builders Photos Bought, Sold & Traded > (Trading is MUCH preferred) > <http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRphotos.xls> > http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRphotos.xls > > ***Join the PRR T&HS*** > The other members are not ALL like me! > <http://www.prrths.com/> http://www.prrths.com > <http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRTHS_Application.pdf> > http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRTHS_Application.pdf > > Join the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines Historical Society > It's FREE to join! <http://www.prslhs.com/> http://www.prslhs.com > Preserving The Memory Of The PRSL > ------------------------------------ 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/
