COUPLINGS FOR USE ON NARROW GAUGE KITS

One of the questions we get asked, more than any other, concerns what couplings to use on the Black Dog Mining, Avalon, Boulder Valley Models and Sidelines products.

The choices are wide. Prototypically, ‘link and pin’ are used. In these the stock is connected by a small length of chain , or possibly a plate, with the links at either end inserted into the opening of the coupler block. These are secured by ‘Pins’ pushed through from top to bottom. Easily constructed using the blocks avaialble for the kits, the block needs a small drill hole through from top to bottom, a length of chain and something like a dressmaking pin or bent wire.

An alternative is a pin set in a block, with a length of chain just hooked over. Its all very primative - but then the prototypes made use of simple, cheap and easy to maintain designs.

The disadvantage of these simple couplings is that they involve the ‘overscale hand’. For automatic coupling, versions such as the DG available here in the UK, or the american KaDee/MicroTrains types are more practical.

Which to use? Well, here we’ve drawn on the experience and wisdon of Steve Bennett (Black Dog Mining) in the hope that it helps you decide. Please bear in mind that these relate to O gauge rather than the Gn15 Sidelines products (see later):

When it comes to narrow gauge modelling there is no standard as far as couplings are concerned and everybody seems to have their own ideas of ways to do it. A popular approach is to use DG couplings. I have tried many different methods, but, at the time of writing have yet to find another to equal them.

As far as fitting them to the Black Dog range, it is a very simple operation and only very minor surgery is required. The method I use is to file a slot approx 0.5mm deep by 5mm wide into the top edge of the buffer beam before sticking the chassis to the body, this then leaves a slot through which the base plate of the coupler can be fitted. To fix the coupler to the wagon I use double sided tape to affix it the underside of the wagon body, by doing this if the coupler becomes bent or damaged it can easily be removed and a replacement fitted.

A similar method can be employed with the Avalon range, although this does depend on the type of chassis used. I will gladly help further if you let me know which chassis you are going to use (steveblackdog@aol.com).

If you haven’t used DG couplings before, a couple of points worth considering. These couplings are available in three different sizes i.e. 2mm/009, 4mm and 7mm scales, for this size of wagon I would recommend the 2mm or 009 version as these are a lot smaller and less obtrusive than the 4mm version. The only difference between the 2mm and the 009 is the thickness of the brass and I use the slightly heavier 009 version as it makes up to a more robust coupling. They are a little fiddly to put together but it does become easier after the first couple have been made. I would also recommend the purchase of the loop bending jig that DG offer as it is essential for smooth operation to have uniform sized loops. Perhaps the most difficult part of setting up these coupling is in soldering the droppers to the loops, but I have devised a way around this by using a single length of steel wire to make the loop and dropper. I won’t try to explain it here but if you do decide to go this route, I will happily send you a sample that will explain it better than I can put into words. Another plus point for the DG is that they are compatible with the similar B&B coupling and also the Greenwich coupling offered by Meridian Models, (although this doesn’t have the delayed action).

As far as KaDee are concerned I think these are best used for what they were intended. Although they could be fitted to these wagons, it would require a lot of work and on these small vehicles it is difficult to hide the oversize draft boxes. I hope this helps and if I can help any further please dont hesitate to contact me (steveblackdog@blueyonder.co.uk). If you would rather speak by phone my number is +44 1392 410796 (UK day and evenings).

- Steve     

We don’t stock the DG’s at the moment, but the DG couplings are available from:
DG Couplings, 249 Chester Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 8RA, England.
Sorry, no telephone or email known. Please mention Pepper7 if you write.

At the time of writing neither we nor Steve had tried a MicroTrains coupler. One possible problem for automatic uncoupling is the height at which these will be set on an O gauge wagon. and the trip pin may be too high for magnetic operation.

The story for Gn15 is a little different. Here the range can easiliy be fitted with the standard KaDee No5 coupler and an adaptor pocket is specifically available for this.