MasonJar said:Hi Edward,
Welcome to The Gauge!
What radius are you running that engine on? And what engine is it? Kadee has a list of the recommended couplers for nearly all engines and rolling stock from all manufacturers. That might be a good place to start. Kadee also has some "specialty" couplers and draft boxes for special situations.
Some problems like this are possible to fix. Others simply cannot be overcome, no matter how hard you try.
Andrew
green_elite_cab said:I also notice that the uncoupling wire on your coupler is bent at an odd angle. that may not be the cause, but you should twist it back to normal.
also, are your cars outfitted with knuckle couplers? that would also explain it.
In the end, you should really be running shorter locomotives on this layout. I wouldn't go any bigger than an SD45 on that kind of layout. some larger locomotives can handle it, ( IHC GG-1, SD75M, E60CP, 4-6-6-4 Challenger, to name a few that i happen to own) but you should stick to B40-8s, GP40s, or maybe in even SWs, that sort of thing. it will look more realistic, and operate better.
Edwardg42 said:All the couplers that I have are the plastic horn and hook couplers. No knuckle couplers. I was going to ask about that since the kadee couplers are all the knuckle type. I had never really thought about the engine length being an issue. I just picked up this engine at the local train museum fundraiser as a spur of the moment thing.
Thank you for the locomotive suggestions.
MilesWestern said:I think your layout has 15" radius curves, a BIG don't in the model railroading world. Reall truly they are ok, but only of you run short cars with 4 axle engines, I have 18" and 22" radius curves and I still don't even think of sticking a C44-9 or an SD-40 becuase they are six axle, and six ale diesels will not look or perform good on sharp curves, escpically on that STEEP, TURNING grade you have there.
Try to convert or purchase any nice car, like Athearn, Atlas, Bachmann, or Proto lifelike, they'll have knuckle couplers, which are more realistic and seldom give you trouble.
You can't mix knuckle couplers with horn hook couplers, End of story.
-Sorry to sound mean, but this is many hours of frustration that I've expirenced that I care not to have again, this is a friendly warning, because good track planning with your engines and rolling stock in mind, will leave you with infinite hours of Model Railroading Fun! :thumb:
Please heed my word, if you don't want to become discouraged!
Edwardg42 said:No worries, you clearly speak from experience. I just measured the tracks, all the curves use 18" tracks. Sounds like the C44-9 is just too long.
All my cars have wheel mounted couplers so I will try a longer body mount coupler on the lead car. Failing that I will just get a shorter engine.
I will have to look into the knuckle couplers going forward.
eightyeightfan1 said:You might want to also cut the trip pin on the coupler. If you don't mind using the 0-5-0 for uncoupling. The trip pin might be catching the rail in the corners. Unless you have a magnetic uncoupler.