Using a back-to-back gauge for your model railway ensures that the wheels on your rolling stock are spaced correctly...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
How do I use a back to back gauge?Read more -
What is a poly-cap?Read moreA poly-cap is a type of plastic cap often used in model-making kits, especially for assembling figurines or model...
-
What is Graham Farish?Read moreGraham Farish is a name you’re likely to come across if you're interested in British model railways, especially in...
-
When did semaphore signals stop being used in the UK?Read moreSemaphore signals, those distinctive mechanical arms that once graced railway lines across the UK, were largely...
-
What is Kato track?Read moreKato track is a popular choice in the world of model railways, known for its quality, ease of use and versatility. If...
What is a tension lock coupling?
Think back to when you were a child and you acquired your very first 00 gauge train set, complete with a whole oval of track, a tank engine, up to as many as three wagons and a controller. It was probably one of the best days of your life. Now think about the couplings that adorned the much loved and admired model train and that was most likely a tension lock coupling!
The truth is, even if you can't relate, you would probably still recognise them because in the UK most ready to run models still use them. They are the big D shaped piece of moulded plastic on the front of your engine with a hook protruding from it that latches onto the big D shaped piece of moulded plastic on the opposing rolling stock. They may have a slightly more streamlined appearance but they are still the good old tension lock coupling.
We still use them today for two reasons: firstly, they work, they may not be everyone's cup of tea but they do a good enough job even if they don't look completely prototypical. Secondly, most modellers have an abundance of older models with tension lock couplings, when they purchase new models usually we would like them to be compatible with our existing stock so manufacturers are reluctant to change them as standard. They do nowadays though fit detachable NEM tension lock couplings so that those who desire it can easily change the couplings for different designs.
Tension lock couplings work by loosely hooking over the opposing D, once the slack between the coaches is taken up by the forward motion of the train the connection becomes more solid due to the special shape of the D's profile marrying with the shape of the hook, this allows horizontal movement but not vertical hence the term tension lock.
As mentioned tension locks are not for everyone, but most see them as an acceptable compromise probably because we have lived with them for so long, so in conclusion, we think they will be around for some time to come.
Posted in: Model Railway
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
Anita Tension Lock Coupler
Price: £ 3.00Anita Tension Lock Coupler A smaller and neater version of the tension lock...
Related posts
-
What scale is Hornby?Hornby model railways are OO Scale or 1/76th that is 4 millimetres to the foot (12 inches). It runs on a track with... - How to weight my model so it does not tip?For wargaming figures, a small coin or washer glued to the under side of the base will usually to do the job. This...
- Is Bachmann compatible with Hornby?Yes, any OO scale loco, wagon or coach will work on any OO scale track, regardless of brand. Couplings are also...
- What are the model railway eras?According to Bachmann, as it states in their catalogue there are 9 eras. As they say in their catalogue this is not...
- Can a "DCC ready" train be used on analogue?Yes, you can use a DCC ready train on your analogue layout. DCC ready just means that the train has been factory...