RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted June 4, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 4, 2015 I was talking to a layout owner who used 3 link couplings and I asked him how it was using such couplings in an exhibition environment. He explained that the top two links were glued together to make a single link and this made it a lot easier to couple and uncouple and prevented accidental uncoupling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWales Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Another way around this is to use a magnetic uncoupler with the bottom link replaced with a magnetic one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted June 4, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted June 4, 2015 Another way around this is to use a magnetic uncoupler with the bottom link replaced with a magnetic one I'm afraid I've never been able to get on with magnetic coupling poles, always had problems getting the bottom link off the hook. To be honest the single link is less about ease of use (though I find it so) and more about getting the train to move off as one with none of the snatching as loose links take up the slack. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold colin penfold Posted June 4, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 4, 2015 does it help to avoid buffer locking? You mention using it on 2' radius curves..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted June 4, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted June 4, 2015 Would a "figure of eight" shaped coupling work as a single link coupling, yet look like a screw-coupling? Anyway its a pleasure to seem a spurt of development at Morfa Yes I believe it would. I think that one I've tested and worked out a set of universal dimensions I'll be building a jig to produce a more sophisticated single link which should incorporate a waist and D shaped outer ends to mimic a screw link. does it help to avoid buffer locking? You mention using it on 2' radius curves..... It should do once I get the inadvertent uncoupling when pushing problem ironed out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Donw Posted June 4, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 4, 2015 In 0 gauge I use working screw links but as my plastic figures are unwilling to get down between the coaches to tighten them up I have to compromise Actually you can adjust the length of the couplings and if you are using sprung buffers and have reasonably gentle curves the best way is to adjust them so you having to slightly compress the buffers to slp the end over the hook and once done the buffers are just touching. Providing there is enough movement in the buffers to cope with the curves it is about the best you can do. Whether it is practical in 4mm probably depends on the weight of your coaches. Alternatively there is the Bill Bedford option which I believe is intended for fixed rakes. You could make up something similar yourself for fixed rakes which has the advantage that you can have the hoses coupled. A just use screw links on the loco and the end of rakes. Obviously if you intend to drop of a siphon or van that would need screw links too. Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted June 4, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 4, 2015 Neil, have you thought of Bill Bedford's system? I'm thinking about it. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/10792-fixed-rake-couplings/ pics in Sandy's post #6. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithHC Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 What about using the Keen system. http://www.keen-systems.com/index.html Keith HC Ps. I have no connection with Keen but want to get some for a rake of three Bulleids...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BoD Posted June 4, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 4, 2015 I can see why you have had that shot between the trees in your mind for a while. It's fantastic. I'll have to think up more superlatives for when it's finished. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted June 5, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted June 5, 2015 Many thanks for the coupling system suggestions chaps. I'm aware of the Keen system and have seen a home brewed version of the Bill Bedford system and while they're good at what they do they wouldn't offer mix and match compatibility with my existing three links. Now for the couplings between my pair of blue grey Mk1s this wouldn't be a problem, but I want to be able to add and subtract a range of parcels stock to them and I want all vehicles in this train to move as one. While I accept that my single link would be a bit ugly between vehicles with no corridor connection a cosmetically improved, solid, screw link look alike single loop should look ok in the context of layout rather than display case stock. However having some mates round to play trains shows that the random and inadvertent uncoupling of the Mk1 single loop has been cured at the expense of derailments over reverse curves with the Mk2; Mk3 on the cards for the forthcoming weekend. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted June 30, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted June 30, 2015 Further developments, pictorially presented. Groundworks built up with 'sticky balls' ...... Platforms finished off by brickpaper harvested as a free download from CG Textures and printed at home. Dyed green flannelette sheet glued to the landforms and trimmed back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 46444 Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 30, 2015 Lovely work Neil. The use of those sticky balls is ingenious and I do like the flannelette sheet. What will you do next with that sheet? Cheers, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
puck Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Hi Neil. I've seen that you've described yourself as an Eco-miser. I find it ingenious that whilst everyone else carves lumps of polystyrene and produces lots of little balls as waste, you then get them posted to you for reuse. BRAVO!! Oh, excellent work on Morfa. Puck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 I absolutely love this layout - so atmospheric and well designed. Takes me right back to family holidays in Barmouth in the 70s. Really impressive work Neil. Each update is a joy to read. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted July 2, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 2, 2015 Over the last few days I've been doing more of the same. Here, have a few photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
branchie Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 This looks fantastic. It really captures the feel of mid Wales Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWales Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Nice Marina ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Nice Marina ! From my experience, it too should have a pool of oil beneath it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted July 3, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 3, 2015 Looking like a real slice of Wales! Lovely stuff Neil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.C.M Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Just been catching up Neil, I do love your grubby type 2s, nice to see some progress on the layout too. great stuff. Cheers Peter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted July 6, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 6, 2015 More things have happened; a lock up shop has appeared opposite the garage ...... ..... and the 2-D outline view-block trees have been turned into 3-D-ish specimens in short order. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Donw Posted July 6, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 6, 2015 Looks good Neil for my low relief trees I painted the trunk and main branches on the backscene then glued Woodland scenics foliage mat onto the backscene. Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted August 26, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted August 26, 2015 There's been a further flurry of activity on my 4mm/ft slice of mid-Wales, but I should warn you that it will all come to a grinding halt shortly. Mrs R and I have taken the decision to downsize from our converted chapel to something more modest. The idea had been kicking around in our mind for nearly a year; we recently decided that it would be the sensible thing to do. My railway room will also have to be downsized and though it might have been possible to squeeze a trimmed version of Morfa into what we're looking at, the layout's construction doesn't lend itself to a neat, easy and clinical dismantling. Before the saw comes out and I start the component recovery phase I fancied giving myself a glimpse of what might have been, so I've pressed on with some more rough scenery. I'll let the pictures do the talking. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonas Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 I'm genuinely saddened to read that - this is a superb layout, one of my favourite threads. Best of luck with your move though. Will you return to micro layouts or is it to early to tell? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted August 26, 2015 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted August 26, 2015 Thank you Jonas, please don't be sad, there's all sorts of new possibilities to come, though only time will tell how they'll shape up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.