Jaggzuk 697 Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Thats is another nice demonstration video on Dean Park, cheers Phatbob. see here: Hunt Couplings Elite on Dean Park video Yes it does look like the Elite couplings can connect to the originals, but if you watch closely at 15:57, you see that the Elite on the loco kicks out sideways at it couples up so that the opposite magnet poles between the original and Elite are attracted. You can see this in the below screen grab. It will be interesting how this works in real life and the pull capacity, at least 5 TEA oil tanks! Link to post Share on other sites
Sir TophamHatt 4,587 Posted June 27, 2020 Author Share Posted June 27, 2020 (edited) And while product development is great, I wonder if some nievety has been shown here. I'd say these newer couplings ( which have been produced by magnem couplings for some time now.) will annoy early adopters who will no doubt feel they have a now inferior product that, while is good at it's job, is perhaps now worthless. But then again, there is probably no "right time" to launch a new product. I guess both have their uses. For example in HST sets, the coaches are usually fixed in a certain way - using the non-elite couplings would make sure the set is always formed the right way. Same with DMUs a 2 coach DMU will always be fine, a 3-coach is usually formed with the middle coach in a particular way. I guess the elite could be good for wagons though. Edited June 28, 2020 by Sir TophamHatt Changed to add developed thoughts. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Half-full Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 4 hours ago, Sir TophamHatt said: And while product development is great, I wonder if some nievety has been shown here. I'd say these newer couplings ( which have been produced by magnem couplings for some time now.) will annoy early adopters who will no doubt feel they have a now inferior product that, while is good at it's job, is perhaps now worthless. Almost like a car salesman selling you a brand new car, only to bring out a newer, better model the next day for the same price. Not even a discount for those who supported them in the beginning. But I've wondered this for some time. The lust for new products is perhaps at a detriment to current product stock levels. Christ almighty is there no pleasing people? They were moaned at for the polarity orientation on the original couplings, they have now developed a new coupler to overcome this, and folk moan at them. Why the hell should they offer a discount? Anyone with half a brain would have known the product would be developed. And saying the original product is inferior and worthless? What a stupid thing to suggest, it does its job, it is not worthless, and what worth, financially, is it? Its a coupler not a full vehicle. New products are usually developed at customer suggestions. If you dont like it, dont buy it, buy a rival product, or design your own perfect first time product. Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Reichert 1,063 Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 Some of us can produce a well designed and testedpriduct in the first 2 hours ago, Half-full said: Christ almighty is there no pleasing people? They were moaned at for the polarity orientation on the original couplings, they have now developed a new coupler to overcome this, and folk moan at them. Why the hell should they offer a discount? Anyone with half a brain would have known the product would be developed. And saying the original product is inferior and worthless? What a stupid thing to suggest, it does its job, it is not worthless, and what worth, financially, is it? Its a coupler not a full vehicle. New products are usually developed at customer suggestions. If you dont like it, dont buy it, buy a rival product, or design your own perfect first time product. The second far more functional magnet arrangement was obvious and already well understood and widely experimented with in the general hobby years ago. In fact it doesn't even require two separate magnets. So presumably there will be a third cost saving iteration in the not too distant future. The same method is already used for magnetic self coupling air lines and the auto couplers I showed earlier in this topic. Except my case I'm making an auto coupling and uncoupling system. Andy Link to post Share on other sites
Sir TophamHatt 4,587 Posted June 28, 2020 Author Share Posted June 28, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, Half-full said: Christ almighty is there no pleasing people? Your post seems to be aimed at me... yet I have never moaned about the polarity of the magnets I was also well aware of another brand already selling a similar product but still chose the Hunt Couplings as they were what would work better. The aftersales support has been great too. But it's about opening my mind to what others may think. To you it may not be much money, but others may have bought 10, 20 sets - quite a lot of money. But you'll see I edited my post to better reflect my evolved thinking. It's okay to think one way and change your mind isn't it? Sorry if my thoughts and opinions don't align to yours. Your post hardly screams diplomaticness and is actually offensive. Shame really. Edited June 28, 2020 by Sir TophamHatt 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Butler Henderson 1,696 Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 (edited) I would have thought those with the original single polarity ones could still use them, for example on coaches which normally stay in fixed rakes. If it makes it simpler, a coloured dot could be added underneath to indicate which way round the coach should be. Ordered one of each of the new versions to have a play with. Edited June 28, 2020 by Butler Henderson 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bino 10 Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 On 26/06/2020 at 18:58, Westhillwagonworks said: Hi just to let you know we do do specific couplings for those -https://westhillwagonworks.co.uk/couplings-new-c-2/hunt-couplings-original-oo-gauge-c-15/hunt-couplings-pullman-coaches-5-pairs-oo-gauge-p-46 Regards yes, thank you. I've watched the video from Dean Park and they will overcome my issues. Can't afford them right now. Hindsight is wonderful. Link to post Share on other sites
Eddie R v2.0 1,925 Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 Just watched the Dean Park video myself. The new Elite looks good and I’ll probably get some for the ends of rakes of stock and the locos. There seems to be some discontent that the original has been superseded so soon but for me, they still have an important job within the rakes and I don’t feel that I will need to replace the ones I already have. They guys are to be applauded for constantly trying to improve things and expanding the range. I’m looking at getting the N gauge ones for my sleeper rake that I have started building! 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites
LNERandBR 689 Posted June 28, 2020 Share Posted June 28, 2020 Personally I think it's a simple matter of getting the 'normal' coupling for 'fixed' rakes that you aren't going to swap around and the 'Elite' for rakes where you want to be able to swap vehicles around. Just ordered some of the new Elite stepped couplings to try on a mixed liveried set of Mk1's and Mk2's where I do like to swap the order around. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock 13,914 Posted June 28, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 28, 2020 For me retaining polarity will be good .... there are certain rules when marshalling coaches eg CKs with first Class compartments adjacent, adjacent brakes together, loo of adjoining coach next to buffet.... that polarity will help to maintain in the heat of a show..... 5 Link to post Share on other sites
Waverley47708 752 Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 (edited) Although this relates to the originals, two of the three Elites so far are the same length and I think it's safe to assume that an Ultra Elite will be produced at some stage. As such it may still be of interest to others regardless of whether you go for Originals or Ultra versions. My motivation is for the visual improvement of bringing stock closer together. The Bachmann fixed connections does that, it is good for my rakes that stay on the layout but no good for my rakes which are not kept on the layout. Hunt Coupling are ideal for quickly making up a rake from my stock boxes. I keep tension locks on the outer couplings Brian Kirkby style. I had just last week (unfortunately as it turns out with Fridays announcement) bought more original standard close and ultra close packs of the originals to find the best solution for me. Close to close were too close for my one short radius point hidden in a tunnel. I looked at relaying the track and found it would alter the curvature of one direction which would have knock on consequences. Close to close were 19mm. Standard to Standard are 25. To me Standard to Standard were as far apart as Tension Lock so did not improve the look. Standerd to Close worked well visually and as far as running goes at 22.3mm. To use up all of the connectors half the coaches have Standerd A and a Close B. The other half had a Standerd B and Close A. If you pardon the pun the different lengths coupled with the limitation of different polarity further reduces flexibility of swapping coaches within a rake. Nevertheless with careful planning including one coach with two Close magnets both halves can be combined and it works for me. The Elite range intermediate to Intermediate is reportdely coming in at 23.4mm. (thanks Jaggzuk for the useful table). This may seem close to my original version Standard to Close at 22.3mm. However 1.1mm when it comes to a gap may be too much for me visually. I may try the Close to Close Elite 19mm on the basis that they do a specific Bachmann MK1 which are stepped. It may be the issue the stepped version was designed to overcome and not the distance that is the problem on the one problem point on the layout. If it doesn't there would be little to gain from using Standard and Close Elites over what I have now in terms of flexibility using two different lengths would have the same limitations as the different polarity. I could test a Close to Close on my Mk2s to see how they get on at 19mm without the stepped issue. TPOs, I noticed when using the fixed Bachmann connection they were further apart than normal MK1 or MK2. Even Close to Close Hunt Couplings was too far apart visually for me. Ultra to Ultra too close for running on my one point. I've gone for Close to Ultra for them. It works well. If you are not having issues with Close to Close on Mk1s I would think Ultra to Ultra would work for you on TPOs Just be aware fitting and removing them to find the best solution resulted in a number of the legs breaking. I had got magnets fitted to everything I'd wanted them for, if I buy Elites I'll cascade the originals to other stock Im not usually an early adopter, thankfully it was only 6 or 7 packs and not a couple of grand for some fancy new tech I had early adopted on! It is good to see the range progressing and one of the issues people had raised about polarity being addressed. There is on Ebay someone making NEM conversions for some Lima wagons (the type used on Lima grain and cement wagons) and Dapol stock. This may open up possibilities to use Hunt couplings to convert older stock including the ex Airfix Hornby Mk2 Ds as I think they use the Dapol system for couplings. To date I've just modified them with tension locks to draw them closer. Finally a word of warning, I've noticed a few reviewers on You Tube being left lost for words rendered speechless, getting very very excited when reviewing them. Perhaps these new magnets are so powerful they are interfering with brain function in some way, may be best to wear some kind of hat when using them just in case!!! Edited June 29, 2020 by Waverley47708 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Jaggzuk 697 Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 29 minutes ago, Waverley47708 said: There is on Ebay someone making NEM conversions for some Lima wagons (the type used on Lima grain and cement wagons) and Dapol stock. This may open up possibilities to use Hunt couplings to convert older stock including the ex Airfix Hornby Mk2 Ds as I think they use the Dapol system for couplings. Cheers for that tip. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Waverley47708 752 Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 1 hour ago, Jaggzuk said: Cheers for that tip. Here is a link. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OO-Dapol-Hornby-NEM-converters-1x-Sample-4-pockets/202961845211?hash=item2f4177fbdb:g:KNcAAOSwxfhekMTd Photo shows them being used for wagons, not sure if they work for Hornby MK2D but I think I saw on their Facebook page that is something they are working on. If they did a bit of thought would be needed to work out the best size of Hunt couplings to use with them. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Jaggzuk 697 Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 Same perosn does these for the Lima TLC conversion. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lima-NEM-Coupling-Converter-Sample-1x-4-pockets-/202772112519 Quite like this idea and then to use the standard Hunt NEM as there is some lateral play once fitted in the pocket which will help the wagon to negotiate corners. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Waverley47708 752 Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 (edited) I've used the Lima ones on Lima Grainflow wagons, when I put some spare Bachmann tension locks in the distance between them was too much. I currently have close Hunt Couplings but may try Ultra Close. Edited June 29, 2020 by Waverley47708 Link to post Share on other sites
Damo666 1,750 Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 9 hours ago, Waverley47708 said: Finally a word of warning, I've noticed a few reviewers on You Tube being left lost for words rendered speechless, getting very very excited when reviewing them. Perhaps these new magnets are so powerful they are interfering with brain function in some way, may be best to wear some kind of hat when using them just in case!!! There is one I saw who said his "head literally exploded". Remarkable recovery by the time of his YouTube review. Well done our NHS I say. 13 Link to post Share on other sites
Butler Henderson 1,696 Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 9 hours ago, Waverley47708 said: Here is a link. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OO-Dapol-Hornby-NEM-converters-1x-Sample-4-pockets/202961845211?hash=item2f4177fbdb:g:KNcAAOSwxfhekMTd Out of stock as is the bulk pack - the dodge, albeit with a coupling rock solid with no swing at all, is to simply glue one in the socket; helps to hold the NEM prongs together in one hand and run a suitably sized drill through the centre which can then help to ease the prongs around the central moulding in the socket. Link to post Share on other sites
Dunsignalling 7,308 Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 On 29/06/2020 at 20:36, Butler Henderson said: Out of stock as is the bulk pack - the dodge, albeit with a coupling rock solid with no swing at all, is to simply glue one in the socket; helps to hold the NEM prongs together in one hand and run a suitably sized drill through the centre which can then help to ease the prongs around the central moulding in the socket. If glueing them in, why not just shorten the prongs to clear the offending part of the moulding? John Link to post Share on other sites
Butler Henderson 1,696 Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 15 hours ago, Dunsignalling said: If glueing them in, why not just shorten the prongs to clear the offending part of the moulding? John Because it makes a stronger joint, no longer necessary with regard to these magnetic couplings as they have released an appropriately designed version to fit those Airfix/Dapol/Hornby mounts Link to post Share on other sites
ianLMS 1,798 Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) I am hanging on for this development team to come up with the magnetic version of the screw link and 3-link coupling to be devised and i will be a very happy chappy!! If they can make it smaller, cut off the NEM fitting, add a loop instead, it can connect through the hole in the coupling hook and hey presto!! Maybe not head exploding stuff but it might work! Edited August 25, 2020 by ianLMS Link to post Share on other sites
Steven B 1,149 Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 I've just fitted a set of the N Gauge Elite couplings to my Dapol HST and I'm very pleased with the result. There's no slack in the coupling as there is with standard Rapido or Dapol's buck-eye which means the close coupling mechanism does it's job perfectly. Less perfect was the results of trying to fit them to my Farish Mk1s - they don't fit without modification which I've yet to try as I needed all I have for the HST. Does anyone know what lengths are provided with the N Gauge Elite HST pack - there are a pair of longer ones for the power cars and eight pairs for the Mk3s. I'd like to fit the shorter ones to my loco-hauled Mk3s but so far my emails asking if they're the close & intermediate, or intermediate & long have gone unanswered (or in the spam folder!). Steven B. Link to post Share on other sites
nickb4141 24 Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 On 25/08/2020 at 22:09, Steven B said: I've just fitted a set of the N Gauge Elite couplings to my Dapol HST and I'm very pleased with the result. There's no slack in the coupling as there is with standard Rapido or Dapol's buck-eye which means the close coupling mechanism does it's job perfectly. Less perfect was the results of trying to fit them to my Farish Mk1s - they don't fit without modification which I've yet to try as I needed all I have for the HST. Does anyone know what lengths are provided with the N Gauge Elite HST pack - there are a pair of longer ones for the power cars and eight pairs for the Mk3s. I'd like to fit the shorter ones to my loco-hauled Mk3s but so far my emails asking if they're the close & intermediate, or intermediate & long have gone unanswered (or in the spam folder!). Steven B. I've just fitted one of my Dapol HST sets and mine constantly derail on curves, which is very disappointing as everyone seems to rave about these couplings. I’m not sure if anyone knows if there is a minimum radius these will operate on? I’ve checked the website but can’t find any info. I also emailed them, but they have, (so far,) not replied. I’m assuming these are only suitable on very generous radii, but if anyone does have any info, it would be very gratefully received! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
LNERandBR 689 Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 Would depend if the coaches are touching on the curves or not. If they are, you would probably need the next size up of coupling. This is why they do different lengths so that you can pick and choose depending on the radii on your layout. What I would do is purchase the next size up of coupling then see if you can mix the two sizes together. You'll probably find that you can use the couplings you don't use in the HST on other stock. That's certainly been my experience in OO at least Link to post Share on other sites
Steven B 1,149 Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 I've test run my Dapol HST using the Hunt Elite pack the train through Peco code 55 small radius curves without any problems. The Hunt couplings rely on the close coupling mechanism working correctly - there's not the usual slack in the coupling as you would get with Rapido or Dapol's dummy buckeyes. Check that the coupling pockets are free to move - on some of mine I had to re-fit the close coupling mechanism as it came unseated whilst fitting the couplings. Steven B. Link to post Share on other sites
davidw 1,142 Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 Has anyone tried these with Hornby mk1s? Which ones to use as there's no close coupling mechanism? Thanks 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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