New to oo9

[Larky2k]

Hi, very long time lurker just recently just decided to dive headfirst into making my own model railway. Be slowly gathering Rolling Stock and  this week bough my first RTR loco.
How the standard coupling for oo9 I really don't like so decided to use my mates resin 3D printer to print off some custom couplers. 
My question to you guys and Gals is what is the standard size of the NEM socket and how much different is it on other oo9 Rolling stock and locos?

 

Regards 
Matt

[Nile]

Some NEM355 info . Peco sell the sockets (GR-103) .

[Hobby]

Older 009 and H0e RTR and Kit built stock won't have NEM pockets, hence Peco's NEM pocket mentioned by Nile. If you do use older and kit stock bear in mind you'll have to modify them to fit them.

 

The other issue is if you want to run other people's stock on your layout or your stock on theirs, having different couplings makes that more difficult.

 

It's accepted that the Bemo style coupling (which is the standard in H0e and 009 is a bit clunky, however Greenwich also make a much neater version which can also be automated. Take a look at that before you proceed, there's no point in re-inventing the wheel!

 

https://www.gdngrs.com/couplings

 

Finally the key thing, as with any coupling, is to ensure they are all the same height, the Bemo style works fine if this is done.

Edited February 2, 2021 by Hobby

[Larky2k]

 

On 31/01/2021 at 17:50, Nile said:

Some NEM355 info . Peco sell the sockets (GR-103) .

Thanks Nile for the info

 

On 02/02/2021 at 09:55, Hobby said:

Older 009 and H0e RTR and Kit built stock won't have NEM pockets, hence Peco's NEM pocket mentioned by Nile. If you do use older and kit stock bear in mind you'll have to modify them to fit them.

 

The other issue is if you want to run other people's stock on your layout or your stock on theirs, having different couplings makes that more difficult.

 

It's accepted that the Bemo style coupling (which is the standard in H0e and 009 is a bit clunky, however Greenwich also make a much neater version which can also be automated. Take a look at that before you proceed, there's no point in re-inventing the wheel!

 

https://www.gdngrs.com/couplings

 

Finally the key thing, as with any coupling, is to ensure they are all the same height, the Bemo style works fine if this is done.

thanks for the Info, I have looked at other couplers and didn't like any of them. I'm going off the Meridian Models Chopper Coupler for what i want to use and 3D print the coupler with the NEM 355 Socket in mind. 

[ComicalEngineer]

Greenwich couplings are fiddly and delicate. Get bent very easily.

 

Bemo couplings are expensive! Very expensive! They are also resistant to most glues and will fall off at the slightest opportunity. I have some small screws that i use to secure Bemo to wagons.

 

Paul Windle does brass couplings which are cheap & easy to make up

 

Peco ones are a little expensive but the sockets can easily be glued to most plastics. You have the option with the Peco NEM pockets to use standard loops or close couplings (loop and pin). Peco couplings can be made to operate magnetically by glueing a small length of iron wire to the appropriate place. Sorry don't have any photos.

 

Peco are IMHO the best compromise.

 

Hope this helps.

[Hobby]

I can't say I've noticed the Greenwich ones being delicate, they aren't as robust as the others, certainly, but that's simply because they are finer and better looking.  But it also means they can be modified more easily, especially when mounted without the hook at the front and rear of a loco. I've found the Windle ones too clunky/large, but like yours, that's just a personal opinion.

[ComicalEngineer]

The Paul Windle ones indeed have larger loops but I find them are much easier to assemble than Greenwich. I tried Greenwich but found that they tended to get bent easily when being transported to and from exhibitions.

[Hobby]

I'd agree the Windle ones are easier to assemble, I pack my stock so as not to bend the couplings so that's not an issue. I suppose the main reason is that I much prefer the look of the Greenwich ones, they are far less noticeable than Bemo/Peco/Windle/Roco ones. Of the lot the worst have to be those Peco ones that have been around decades that need assembly, I think they were made to replace N scale couplers, Roco's aren't that good either. Bemo are clunky and large but do work fine and the newer Peco ones are also good.

 

Technomodel do (did?) some lovely fine ones that came as spares or fitted to their RTR stock, though they are not cheap, last time I bought some they were €3.20 a pair. These off ebay are quite good as well, I've used quite a few of them.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/009-Gauge-loop-Couplings-x-12/324426094425?hash=item4b894d5759:g:vrEAAOSwaMpZmvUi

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/009-Plastic-Hook-Couplings/324426145826?hash=item4b894e2022:g:mMYAAOSwevlaDsOa

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/009-brass-Coupling-loops/324426146943?hash=item4b894e247f:g:~38AAOSwYwJaDsKr

 

No connection other than a satisfied customer.

 

Sven of Tramfabriek also makes these, though I've never tried them but look as though they could be useful...

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Centre-Point-Couplings-for-009-OO9-H0e-great-for-sharp-curves/283192387049?hash=item41ef94e5e9:g:tVYAAOSwvO5btJW7