Which 7mm couplings?

[Tricky]

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

[Donw]

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

[Captain Kernow]

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.

[Donw]

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

[Tricky]

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.

[Captain Kernow]

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.

[wenlock]

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:-)

[Giles]

I use 3 links- but get round the problem by ensuring that I don't need to couple or uncouple on stage....

[Tricky]

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.