Matt, Some years back Bill Clark and I wrote a series of articles related to choosing among the scale couplers in S. At the time the articles were aimed at our friends in the hirail community that were moving to scale couplers for a more realistic look, and most of whom were looking at changing over primarily SHS locos and cars, although some of the material does include info on other cars as well.
I've been trying to find a little time to write a updated version of the information, and not yet had a chance. But you can read that version on Bill's web site at http://velocette.us/DCC/couplers/ScaleCouplers.html Also Peter Vanvliet wrote a good article on using the Walthers PROTO Max couplers in S - you can find that article at: http://pmrr.org/Articles/RollingStock/SscaleCouplers_LVL2_Proto_Max_Couplers.htm I've recently installed some PROTO Max couplers to give them a try - so far I like them. And given at the moment that the SHS 01295 couplers aren't available (hopefully MTH will continue them), I'll probably install more of the PROTO Max couplers. They look good, seem to work well, and are inexpensive - just recently purchased a bunch new for $1 per pair (contrast with about $3 per pairs for KD802). Although I have only seen anecdotal data, I would have said that while many modelers who have been in S scale a long time use KD #5 or equivalents, I would have said that more recent converts to S are choosing something besides the #5. But that is just an anecdotal opinion. I personally have a mix of KD802/808, S Helper Service 01295, and now PROTO Max. I do have a few cars with KD#5s but they are most second hand cars or from a few friends who prefer #5s. I rarely change out a coupler once it's installed unless it is not working, and has a height problem that needs to be corrected. I also have a early steam era cars with smaller couplers - I used Steam Era Models' Auto Coupler II couplers (an Australian product), since I really dreaded assembly of the HO Kadee's. I also have a few more modern cars (again second hand) with smaller than #5 - they work but look too small. One real advantage we have in S is the larger variety of coupler choices based on each individual's preference and/or specific mounting needs. Regards Michael Sent from my iPad On Mar 3, 2013, at 9:04 AM, "Matt" <[email protected]> wrote: > I'm relatively new to S scale. Kadee offers an S scale coupler but it > appears that the HO #5 coupler is more popular on S scale equipment. Please > explain. > > Thanks, > Matt Hogan > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > ------------------------------------ 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/
