Right now I have the cheap plastic couplers on my HO scale train set. I want to change to those magnetic couplers...is it expensive to switch over??...where would I have to put magnets, wherever I will be attaching cars?? Are these worth getting?? ------------------ *~*20ft X 36in. HO Scale Train set (still building)
Check around on some of the other fora on the board, such as HO. You will probably find several discussions on this topic. In doing so, don't forget the archives. Some of the older discussions might also be of help. As far as cost, I don't believe they are very expensive. You have to weigh their cost against ease of use and reliability. The magnetic couplers win that contest easily. They also look a lot better than the "horn and hook" type you have now. Check the Kadee web site as another source for excellent information. Besides an extensive chart on which of their models to use on what equipment, they also have some good "how-tos." ------------------ Peirce Behrendt Southbury, CT peirce@ibm.net
train_dude11 sez... >>>Right now I have the cheap plastic couplers on my HO scale train set. I want to change to those magnetic couplers...is it expensive to switch over?? <<< Depends upon what you think is expensive. I believe (without checking) that Kadee #5 couplers run about $2.50 to $2.95 U.S. for two sets of couplers - 4 couplers. It is not at all necessary to change a whole fleet at once. Make a couple of conversion cars with a Kadee (or equivalent) on one end and your current coupler on the other. Then change as you have the money and time. >>>> ...where would I have to put magnets, wherever I will be attaching cars?? >>>> Wherever you want to magneticaly UNcouple. With the Kadee, you can get 'delayed uncoupling' which allows you to put a magnet at the head of one or more tracks, uncouple and then push back against the open knuckle and shove the cars where ever you want them. You can couple just about anywhere except on a sharp curve. There are also magnetic 'wands' you can buy that will allow you to uncouple anywhere you can reach. Ditto for a sharp pencil or small skewer. >>> Are these worth getting?? <<<< Yes. Roger Roger Hensley - rhensley@anderson.cioe.com == http://cid.railfan.net/eci_new.html == == East Central Indiana HO Scale Railroad ==
