Entry posted by Knuckles
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Video Description....
Dingham Auto Couplers - I love them. You can use them with real 3-Link, Instanter & Screw couplings with the minimal of fettling, they provide delayed uncoupling and they use the buffers to propel stock thus giving a very realistic operation and look. Not too unobtrusive either. Plus if you bash the stock aggressively they won't couple so you can do some fly shunting!
Problem is, tight curves are a no no because the y will cause buffer locking.
After literally MANY months of thinking and a few experiments I finally found a dodge that works.
In this clip you will see a very rough and ready 'Super Loop' I made to modify a standard Dingham hook. it needs more refinement but a Black 5 (Henry) is going around a 2nd radius 00 curve with a Gresley teak no problem.
I only need a special at each end of a rake and Bob's your Auntie.
Baby write up:
Daddio ages ago gave me a fishing pellet thingummy, so I chemically blackened Dingham parts and bunged them in. A real boon it is.
Considering I'd need to solder them I got a fresh brass one from the etch.
Following David Thorp's modification I purposely went overboard and extended the length and width.
It was a very quick nock up thus the rough uneven nature of it.
Middle partly removed, needs more filing but good enough for the tests.
The extended bar does the pushing on the inside of the coupling hook, that's the concept. Here is a super picture...
So, current verdict.
1) - It works. Nuff said. Tests were mostly with Smiths Screw Link and Standard Dinghams.
2) - Shape needs to be a wee thinner and about 1mm longer, possible nominally triangularly shaped with the curved end.
3) - Brake pipes can get in the way, yet not on all stock. A little re-shaping of the pipes or hooks will easily get around this.
4) - These were tested on 2nd radius 00 curves and I only need a minimum of 34" if doing P4 not the extra silly 2nd radius. Ergo, it'll work better with more gentle curves.
5) - I'd only need one 'Super Loop' at each end of a rake of coaches. The rest of the layout stock can have standard Dinghams, 3-Link, Instanter & Screw fitted.
6) - Pig in poo.
7) - Awaits chastisement!
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