Coupler Question

[brubakes]

Just starting out and I have a Bachmann 2-8-4 Berkshire Steam Loco and the box says it has "E-Z Mate Mark II couplers (with metal cpil springs)". My question is, do I have to find a matching one of these couplers for anything I will be connecting to this locomotive? Are couplers about the same across the board? What should I look for?

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The EZ-Mate Mark II is a cheap copy of the highly successful Kadee #5 and will mate with most knuckle type couplers on the market. Take my advice and change the Mark II's out with Kadee's. The Mark II's WILL fail. It's not a question of if, but when.

 

[brubakes]

Thanks for the tip Jeffery. I'll look into getting some of those.

 

[Emil]

I would change them out after failure since the couplers can be a pain to work with due to ther size. Emil

 

[Emil]

While i am here is there any good sites besides e bay to sell used stuff?
i saw a site www.freebayauctions.com that did not charge a sellers fee, total free auction. they are just starting out i think it may be a good place to sell some stuff since you can list it for free, e bay kills me with there fees. Emil

 

[jbaakko]

While i am here is there any good sites besides e bay to sell used stuff?
i saw a site www.freebayauctions.com that did not charge a sellers fee, total free auction. they are just starting out i think it may be a good place to sell some stuff since you can list it for free, e bay kills me with there fees. Emil

I get server not found.

 

[NYC_George]

Kadee wiskers

Hi brubakes
If you plan on using them on some Bachmann silver series cars the regular Kadee with copper spring won't fit. You'll have to use Kadee wisker's couplers. They cost a little more but are much easier to use. I just bought a 25 pair pack $37.00 and refitted all my Bachman cars.

NYC_George

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Hi brubakes
If you plan on using them on some Bachmann silver series cars the regular Kadee with copper spring won't fit. You'll have to use Kadee wisker's couplers. They cost a little more but are much easier to use. I just bought a 25 pair pack $37.00 and refitted all my Bachman cars.

NYC_George

That's strange. I fitted some Bachmann Silver Series cars with Kadee #5's quite easily. It's a tight fit for the centering spring but it did go in.

 

[NYC_George]

Cars Kadees won't fit

I said some Jeff. The ones I own that the regular Kadee would not fit are their 40' NYC coal cars and all their flat cars. There may be more I don't know but I did end up putting the wiskers on even the 50' coal cars because I bought a pack of 25 pairs. They were way easier to install though. I think there the best cars because they almost never derail. I plan on starting a thread to explain why.

NYC_George

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Please excuse me for stepping on your toes. I didn't intend to. :^)

 

[NYC_George]

Laid Back George

Jeff You didn't step on my toes. I happen to like you Jeff. You look laid back in your photo. That's me laid back.

NYC_George

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Laid back? If I were any more laid back I'd probably be dead. I'm pretty easy to get along with.

 

[brubakes]

just ordered some cars with McHenry knuckle couplers. Would these connect to the E-Z Mate Mark II couplers on my tender? Or should I just go and get all new for both?

Are couplers mostly interchangable to connect to one another or does one end up running one type across their whole layout?

 

[CP9302]

Most knuckle style couplers are compatible with each other. Kadee are all metal construction with a spring on the knuckle. These are the best knuckle couplers out there. E-Z Mate, Kadee and McHenry are all compatible with each other.

My rule for couplers is this, If there is a spring on the knuckle of the coupler, I don't bother replacing it until it breaks. In my experience, these couplers are just as reliable as Kadee. If there is NO spring on the knuckle, I replace it with a sprung knuckle coupler. That little plastic tab on the side of the knuckle wears out and breaks very easily. If I replace a coupler, it is always with Kadee.

The only knuckle couplers I don't really recommend are the Kato and Accurail ones. In my experience, they don't work well with other knuckle couplers.