Baker Couplers ?

What can some of you tell me about the Baker coupler?
I have several sets of what I think are Bakers & I would like to know the history of them & what kind of uncoupler ramp or whatnot they may have used.

Thanks.Dave
 
Baker coupler

Here's a link to some info on the Baker coupler.
John Allen's Gorre and Daphetid Railroad - A Reminiscence

Ray , thanks for the link, it helped a LOT. Mostly it has shown me I don't know what I am talking about!! :curse:
It turns out I don't have Baker Couplers, now I have NO IDEA of what I do have here. The ones I have are a bit like a KD except they are cast white metal & have a wedge shaped device that opens them when it is pushed up. If I could figure out how to post a picture I'd put some up. I can't even send a pic in E mail right now till I get something cleared up in my AOL , it freezes everything up when I try.
 

doctorwayne

Active Member
It sounds like the coupler you have is similar to one I found in one of my gondolas, mixed in with a scrap load. I had a bunch of these, but many years ago, gave them to somebody at the hobby shop who used them on his trains. This one got left behind. The uncoupling piece has been removed, but I recall it as a flat piece of brass with a curve in it, similar to the uncoupling pin on a Kadee, but with a gentler curve. If I recall correctly, there was a notch or two in the inner face of the curve, too. You can see the slot in the head of the coupler where the uncoupling pin was located, especially in the second view. The shank is very similar to a Kadee #4, which was at one time Kadee's standard. Here's a look, with a Kadee #5 for comparison:
Power_distribution_for_Athearn_diesels_002.jpg


Power_distribution_for_Athearn_diesels_0011.jpg


For some reason, I'd also thought that these were Baker couplers, but as I'm typing, Mantua springs to mind. Ray?? :-D

Wayne
 
Baker coupler

It sounds like the coupler you have is similar to one I found in one of my gondolas, mixed in with a scrap load. I had a bunch of these, but many years ago, gave them to somebody at the hobby shop who used them on his trains. This one got left behind. The uncoupling piece has been removed, but I recall it as a flat piece of brass with a curve in it, similar to the uncoupling pin on a Kadee, but with a gentler curve. If I recall correctly, there was a notch or two in the inner face of the curve, too. You can see the slot in the head of the coupler where the uncoupling pin was located, especially in the second view. The shank is very similar to a Kadee #4, which was at one time Kadee's standard. Here's a look, with a Kadee #5 for comparison:
Power_distribution_for_Athearn_diesels_002.jpg


Power_distribution_for_Athearn_diesels_0011.jpg


For some reason, I'd also thought that these were Baker couplers, but as I'm typing, Mantua springs to mind. Ray?? :-D

Wayne

Dr. Wayne

Thanks for posting this. That IS the Coupler I have a few of .
However I don't think its a Mantua -- As I recall Mantua couplers were a flat brass affair with a "D" sort of shaped hole in them -- how they hooked up I don't have a clue -- I just remember seeing some once somewhere & I think I have one or two lying about somewhere.

dave
 

60103

Pooh Bah
Baker couplers are a design similar to the British toy coupler (Tri-and, Hornby, Bachman etc.) but a bit heftier and in brass. basically, a loop with a large vertical face for pushing and a hook, pivoted vertically that drops into the next loop.
The Mantua was sort of the reverse. A large flat loop with a slope at the front so one would slide over the other and a small hook at the back of the loop with an uncoupling pin going down.
Both used a spring ramp that pushed the hook up for uncoupling.

I think the other coupling was a Devore or Roundhouse; possibly some others.
 
Baker Coupler

Baker couplers are a design similar to the British toy coupler (Tri-and, Hornby, Bachman etc.) but a bit heftier and in brass. basically, a loop with a large vertical face for pushing and a hook, pivoted vertically that drops into the next loop.
The Mantua was sort of the reverse. A large flat loop with a slope at the front so one would slide over the other and a small hook at the back of the loop with an uncoupling pin going down.
Both used a spring ramp that pushed the hook up for uncoupling.

I think the other coupling was a Devore or Roundhouse; possibly some others.

Well a search for Devore turned up this:

A SKETCHY HO COUPLER HISTORY

It seems that Devore & Roundhouse are about the same & is what I seem to have .
Veeeerrry interesting !! Thanks Everybody

Dave
 

60103

Pooh Bah
I found a set of couplings by Roundhouse and a couple of Devore ramps behind the Kadees in my collection. (I tried to post a picture but Zealot didn't take it.) :confused: I think I have some Bakers but I can't find them. :cry:
The Baker was used on a lot of Japanese brass imports.

Photo in the Gallery. Two Roundhouse couplings with package. Devore Ramp with package -- doesn't show too well, but there's a little bit of filligree work to guide the coupling pins onto the ramp.
Final bit is 2 radial couplings for traction work.

Couplings0075.jpg
 

Ray Marinaccio

Active Member
Well a search for Devore turned up this:

A SKETCHY HO COUPLER HISTORY

It seems that Devore & Roundhouse are about the same & is what I seem to have .
Veeeerrry interesting !! Thanks Everybody

Dave

That was the other page I was looking for. Thanks. I had come across it once and forgot to save it.
I buy the old MDC (and Varney knuckle couplers) when I find them to put on some of the old relics in my collection.
 
Baker Couplers --Not!!

That was the other page I was looking for. Thanks. I had come across it once and forgot to save it.
I buy the old MDC (and Varney knuckle couplers) when I find them to put on some of the old relics in my collection.


Well you missed a chance on these --had em on "the water place" at 5 bucks for a half dozen pairs & got not one bid !!
Send me your address & I'll send em to ya--"free for nuttin"

Dave
 

steamhead

Active Member
I have a few of those laying around from my ol' man's early rolling stock (early 50's - which still roll on my layout...with KD's on them now). From the boxes which I also have, they were used on Silver Streak kits, and perhaps on Varneys. Gorgeous couplers, BTW, although somewhat unwieldy if you were inclined to do any switching/spotting.
 

bakerabbott

New Member
Baker couplers

If anyone wants to get rid of the couplers let me know. My grandfather Solomon Douglas Baker created the Baker coupler and he died when my dad was 18 so he never finished what he started.
 
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