Functional BSI couplings for new, 2nd generation DMUs (retooled)

[hamish_barb]

Hi all

 

With Bachmanns announcement yesterday, they also announced within their news page that the 2nd generation DMUs they're retooling (Clas 158, 170 etc), will have functional BSI couplings.

 

Now, does this mean that the couplings will allow multiple rakes of trains to be formed together to confirm a consist? E.g, 2x 3-car Cross Country 170 sets to form a 6-car set.

 

Or do they mean prototypical in the sense that it looks the part, is accuracy modelled and moves around, but WILL NOT allow trains to be connected together to form consists?

 

Thanks

 

Hamish

[SRman]

'Functional' means they will be working couplings.

I sincerely hope Bachmann will offer these as separate items as well, so we can retro-fit all our older class 158/9/66/70/1 units.

[hamish_barb]

'Functional' means they will be working couplings.

 

I sincerely hope Bachmann will offer these as separate items as well, so we can retro-fit all our older class 158/9/66/70/1 units.

 

 

Thanks SRman. I guess I'm going to be broke in 2018!

[w124bob]

It will also mean they will come apart on bad track, wont couple unless on the perfectly level and can't couple to non bsi stock. You'll also have to have a 4mm scale bag over the coupler in bad weather! Wonder if any one will do a 4mm scale dead bird.

Edited January 8, 2018 by w124bob

[SRman]

It will also mean they will come apart on bad track, wont couple unless on the perfectly level and can't couple to non bsi stock. You'll also have to have a 4mm scale bag over the coupler in bad weather! Wonder if any one will do a 4mm scale dead bird.

 

You could always take one of Langley Models' live birds and ... well, use your imagination! 

[No Decorum]

“Functional.” Hm. Hornby produces Scharfenberg functional couplings. They are hard to get but a pretty nice piece of work. They will join two vehicles together. They are also automatic in that they wll couple if you push two vehicles together. However, to uncouple them, it is necessary to insert a manual uncoupling “spade” underneath them and push upwards, separating the vehicles as you do so. They work very well on suitable vehicles but on many vehicles, buffers or cab fronts meet before the couplings can engage.

 

I have come across tension locks which uncouple on a DCC command. In order to do this, the hook on one vehicle has to be removed. That is asking for trouble. The older tooling of HSTs had only one hook and I remember seeing again and again demonstration ovals where the powered vehicle had come uncoupled, travelled round the oval and ended up pushing the trailing dummy power car nose to nose.

 

It all begs the question, “Functional to what extent?”

[AMJ]

Fully functional, does that include air brake pipes, electrical controlls for the other vehicles including doors. Or am taking them too literally?

[tamperman36]

So is this a way that Bachmann can make sure of extra sales by creating a market for barrier vehicles with working couplings.

[turbos]

It will also mean they will come apart on bad track, wont couple unless on the perfectly level and can't couple to non bsi stock. You'll also have to have a 4mm scale bag over the coupler in bad weather! Wonder if any one will do a 4mm scale dead bird.

And a set of 4mm scale A4 sheets with a large 'X' for non-multi to be fitted in the second mans windscreen after the inevitable bad couple.

[centraltrains]

And a set of 4mm scale A4 sheets with a large 'X' for non-multi to be fitted in the second mans windscreen after the inevitable bad couple.

Oh no! That should be a DCC Function with a servo!!!