Tricky Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 Hi all, Forgive me if this has been discussed elsewhere (and I can't believe it hasn't!) but intrigued as to the current consensus of thinking on which automatic or semi-automatic couplings to use in place of 3-link or screw? I ask because I noted in the Cameo book Iain Rice's comment that a hand from the sky appearing to fiddle with said 3-link or screw couplings would be frowned upon (or words to that effect). In the interests of everything operational being silky-smooth what are my options? Thanks all, Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Donw Posted October 2, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 2, 2017 Well you could ignore Ian's comment. In full size the coupling uncoupling was definitely manual labour. The only thing is you would need a high backscene and front to allow access. Otherwise Dinghams look fairly unobtrusive but are handed can be an issue with cassetes Linc ups unobtrusive and very good but lack a delay feature Alex Jacksons very good but fiddly others are more obtrusive to my mind Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted October 3, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 3, 2017 I wouldn't worry. Three-links in 7mm should be relatively easy. I shall be using my usual 3-links on my 4mm layout, as per usual. I'll tailor the height of the backscene and height of the layout to suit my own needs in that respect. I think what Iain was getting at was not that they would be frowned upon per se, but that there could be practical problems using them, if you try to operate them from the front and from a relatively low angle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Donw Posted October 3, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 3, 2017 I neglected to mention in my post that I have used three links first in EM and for 0 gauge including the exhibition layouts. You do get quite practised in coupling up. It also helps to design layouts so the key places you need to uncouple are accessible this usually make the quite interesting to view. I expect to be using them at SWAG 2018 . Don 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted October 3, 2017 Author Share Posted October 3, 2017 I must admit to getting a bit paranoid about looking all fumbly and myopic with my 3-links in front of the heaving masses...! Jacksons when they work sound so slick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted October 3, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 3, 2017 Jacksons when they work sound so slick. I would agree, but I believe that they can be beugars to set up and maintain correctly. Probably depends on how you store your stock. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold wenlock Posted April 29, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 29, 2018 For what it’s worth I wouldn’t touch 3 links with a barge pole or shunters pole come to that! Tried it and didn’t like it at all, they’re far too fiddly in my opinion and most exasperating little devils. Spratt and Winkles for me every time. They are reasonably robust, fairly tolerant of misalignment, aren’t handed so it doesn’t matter which way round a wagon is and work practically every time:-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giles Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 I use 3 links- but get round the problem by ensuring that I don't need to couple or uncouple on stage.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted May 7, 2018 Author Share Posted May 7, 2018 I use 3 links- but get round the problem by ensuring that I don't need to couple or uncouple on stage.... Giles, I remember you saying this when I met you at Uckfield last October. I still consider that to be a stroke of pure genius and a notion that still buzzes round my head as an option for Midland in Bristol. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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