Can someone tell me why Rivarrosi and any other manufacturers put those rigid non movable plastic fake couplers on the front of their engines? I recently acquired a Rivarrosi Mikado and it has that kind of front coupler.
Dummy coupler
- Thread starter gmbrd
- Start date
You know I always wondered that myself but was afraid to ask! You pay so much for those engines you think they would be able to put a decent coupler on the front.
gmbrd, I think there are at least a couple of reasons for there being dummy couplers on the front of steamers.
My thoughts on it are:-
1) The vast majority of manufacturers are producing toys (some to very high standards but toys nonetheless) therefore they are usually to pull trains.
2) The manufacturers are stuck between having a good representation of the pilot as so many folkes are fussy about the looks of their locos as against an ugly horn/hook coupler on a makeshift pilot.
3) They rekon modellers are an inovatave bunch who will find a way of fitting whatever type of coupler they need.
Errol
My thoughts on it are:-
1) The vast majority of manufacturers are producing toys (some to very high standards but toys nonetheless) therefore they are usually to pull trains.
2) The manufacturers are stuck between having a good representation of the pilot as so many folkes are fussy about the looks of their locos as against an ugly horn/hook coupler on a makeshift pilot.
3) They rekon modellers are an inovatave bunch who will find a way of fitting whatever type of coupler they need.
Errol
Thanks for the input Kettlesack, I think your second suggestion fits best. On the Rivarossi, the dummy coupler is molded with the pilot (cow catcher?).
Possibly also why Hornby Dublo didn't put an autocoupler on the front of their express engines.
You will find when you try to replace the dummies that the Kadee uncoupling pin forces your coupling to stick out so far that it looks awkward.
You will find when you try to replace the dummies that the Kadee uncoupling pin forces your coupling to stick out so far that it looks awkward.
kf4jqd
Active Member
offside topic
Ahhhhh..... Doodlebugs!
I have a UP Doodlebug (that I bashed into a VR Derm). and it has the "fixed" coupler on the front too.
However, What did Doodlebugs tow along behind them? Another Doodlebug (backwards) Anything? Maybe flat freight cars?? Also they must have "turned" them for the return journey. Did they do this?
Ahhhhh..... Doodlebugs!
I have a UP Doodlebug (that I bashed into a VR Derm). and it has the "fixed" coupler on the front too.
However, What did Doodlebugs tow along behind them? Another Doodlebug (backwards) Anything? Maybe flat freight cars?? Also they must have "turned" them for the return journey. Did they do this?
Attachments
kf4jqd
Active Member
Doodlebug?
Andy,
Is that a Doodlebug? I thought they were very specific looking passender railcars........
Is "Doodlebug" a generic term of some sort?
Andy,
Is that a Doodlebug? I thought they were very specific looking passender railcars........
Is "Doodlebug" a generic term of some sort?
Woody-
Doodlebugs were built however the buyer wanted them to be. All passenger, all baggage, a mix of both, or what have you. Even the model RR makers admit that they don't follow a specific prototype because there is no set plan for a doodlebug. They just make it they way they want to. Kinda like how Con-cor paints it's locos!
Doodlebugs were built however the buyer wanted them to be. All passenger, all baggage, a mix of both, or what have you. Even the model RR makers admit that they don't follow a specific prototype because there is no set plan for a doodlebug. They just make it they way they want to. Kinda like how Con-cor paints it's locos!
Andy:
I'm going to disagree with you about the item in the picture. Unless RI called it a doodlebug for their own reasons, I think its a locomotive.
But, man, what you have in your picture is something even rarer than a doodlebug. RI had 2 E6 B units built with a baggage compartment inplace of one engine, a cab and a headlight. The unit ran behind the regular locomotive, but when the train split, the B took one section while the A took the other. The idea was that the B unit would fit into the streamlining rather than running them nose to tail.
(details from the Diesel Spotter's Guide)
I'm going to disagree with you about the item in the picture. Unless RI called it a doodlebug for their own reasons, I think its a locomotive.
But, man, what you have in your picture is something even rarer than a doodlebug. RI had 2 E6 B units built with a baggage compartment inplace of one engine, a cab and a headlight. The unit ran behind the regular locomotive, but when the train split, the B took one section while the A took the other. The idea was that the B unit would fit into the streamlining rather than running them nose to tail.
(details from the Diesel Spotter's Guide)
"To Doodlebug, or not to Doodlebug....... That is the question"
BTW.... is that a sonar dome above the headlights????
BTW.... is that a sonar dome above the headlights????