WOHO! I get to push Sergent couplers again!
Track work, coupler heights, coupler tightening i.e. the screw on the cap being too tight or to loose causing droop... All common issues someone has run across.
Now for the product push (no I do NOT make anything off of this!). Sergent Eng. makes the most prototypical HO scale coupler, It works almost exactly like the real thing. They close snug enough to twart some derailments and most uncouplings. The stay closed, no annoying spring to loose, or plactic tap to break. And they LOOK REAL!
Now for the downsides (somewhat):
-cost, @ $9 for 5 assembled, takes time to convert (just as converting to all Kadee #58's or such would cost).
-coupler box size issues!!! Some manufacturer's coupler boxes are actually TOO THIN and can cause snugness on the coupler (just buy the assembly fixture and a few jewlers files to remidy this)
-Two "options" for mounting holes, the EC87A-125 for "standard sized holes" and the EC87A-135 for oversized (you can also buy tapered reemers att he same time for adjusting the hole size)
-need to buy NEW uncouplers (Sergent again has one, and it works AWSOME)
-WAY more manual then "normal" couplers but yet more prototypical
-lack of a centering device slows you sometimes, but can aid in corner coupling!
Oh there's the new ones that come with the scale sized coupler box now too...
http://www.sergentengineering.com