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...
Why do some couplings have different arm heights and lengths?
How far couplings protrude from their host wagon, loco or coach is something only kit builders worried about before NEM couplings came along. So why do we now have short, medium or long arm choices?
The truth is, the extent to which couplings protrude has always varied slightly across manufacturers, but it was always assumed that a ready-to-run Hornby wagon would always be coupled to a Hornby loco, a Bachmann wagon to a Bachmann loco and so on, thus, the slight differences in coupling heights and lengths was rarely talked about. But with the introduction of NEM couplings came the introduction of choice and interchangeability. To cope with this, a selection of couplings featuring common pockets but with arms varying in height and length came to market.
The height difference is dealt with by a small step up or down in the shank of the coupling. The difference in height allows a mixture of rolling stock types to be coupled at the same height reducing the risk of a derailment.
As for the variations in shank length, the main reason for this is to facilitate close coupling. Close coupling is when two coaches or wagons are coupled with a smaller gap between them to better represent the appearance of the prototype. However, that also makes them more likely to foul one another on tight radius curves. Having shanks available in three lengths allows modellers to find the best compromise between realism and practicality according to their track layout and rolling stock operated.
Posted in: Rolling stock
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
NEM362 European Coupler Long 10.76mm (2 pairs)
Price: £ 10.75NEM-362 Long Coupler - 10.76 mm (27/64")
20-Series Coupler medium (9/32") underset shank
Price: £ 7.0020-Series Coupler medium (9/32") underset shank These couplers are designed...
Metal Whisker Magne-Matic Coupler Short (1/4")...
Price: £ 7.25Metal Whisker Magne-Matic Coupler Short (1/4") Centerset Shank Package...
Related posts
-
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 tension lock couplings?Tension lock couplings are the standard couplings for model trains in the UK. These are the ones we all know from...
- How do I test the width between the wheels of my engines?The best way to check the wheels of your locomotives is to use a tool called a back to back gauge. They are...
- How do I clean the wheels of my engine?One easy way is to get yourself a Peco cleaning kit containing a wire brush, wheel scraper, foam cradle and oil. The...