G`day Folks, As the topic title suggests, I am working on a 3 link system. The standard commercial 3 link systems are fine, however in 00 gauge, coupling and uncoupling requires a good level of dexterity and steady handedness that is not always given to all of us, especially as we grow older. The other issue with commercial systems of course is buffer lock. Generally caused by reversing / pushing wagons through the smaller radius curves and points. Of course buffer lock can be overcome by not having small radii, however we can`t all have vast layouts occupying acres of real estate, so we compromise as usual and most likely forget 3 links in favour of Kadees or Tension locks. The advantage of course with these systems, is remote uncoupling and easy coupling regardless of radius. The 3 link system on British wagons looks right though, and if you are prepared to use the Hand of God method, it`s getting really close to prototypical operation. I know there are those of you that feel the Hand of God solution is intrusive and cumbersome, but it is actually mimicking real life shunting situations where the shunter has to manually couple or uncouple the wagons. We seem to reject that side of prototypical operation in model form for some reason.??? Anyway folks.......time to get off the soap box and tell you what`s going on in Gormo`s Shed. This is all home made from readily available materials and it`s cheap!!!........jewellery chain, heavy duty staples and magnets are combined together to create this 3 link system. The cost for one wagon would be Cents.!! I`ve just ordered 3 metres of chain for AUS $ 1.12 which equates to about 220 couplings..???? Of course it`s a compromise........but what is a tension lock..????.....so minimal compromise mechanically results in minor compromise visually to give us a system that will perform without the tedium of standard 3 links. I am still sourcing materials........iron based chain plus now I am also chasing copper or brass chain of the same size and profile to match the iron chain. Each wagon will have two chains. One that works and one dummy. The working chain needs to be attracted to a magnet for the system to work and the dummy needs to be non magnetic and stay out of harms way. So folks, I`m still working my way through getting all the bits.....locking down the final set up....and setting measurements......but above all that.....it bloomin` works and the fundamental reason why it works better than standard 3 links is that three of the links are Super glued to create a rigid chain......Not prototypical I know, but a small price to pay I feel. Gormo
Hi Gormo, Still to watch the video myself but I'm sure you will have attracted an audience on this. Doing a little testing of my own at the moment but will catch up shortly. Cheers Toto
Yes Toto, This is going to change the whole ball game for a lot of folks. The usual method with three links in 00 gauge is rather tedious.....been there done that a long time ago and I gave up in favour of tension locks. Once I`ve got it bedded in 100% I will give full details of how to put it together. It requires a bit of work and effort but it may be worth it for the cost savings alone. Gormo
Looks interesting Gormo, but what about coaching stock? Coaches wouldn't really look right with a 3 link coupling and if you retain another type of coupling for coaches, you'll restrict what locos can haul which rolling stock due to which type of coupling is fitted Ed
Gee Gormo, that is terrific ! You better get a patent on that system once you have it sorted. I will be interested to see this work with 15-20 wagons. If you can do that, you are on a winner !! Cheers, Gary.
Just watched it Gormo. I think you could be on to something there. Very effective technically and in practice. Looking forward to the completed item and a how to for the install. Cheers Toto
Interesting; I had a semi automatic 3 link system some years ago but eventually went over to S&W's to provide auto coupling. Here is a shot of it and a link to a blog entry on RMWeb that shows what I did with it. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/blog/62/entry-1544-delayed-action-3-link-couplings/
Very well done and thought out. Not a fan of the look (or cost) of converting British stock to Kadee. Not too much application for my plank layout as I can't see the kids able to do it, but they are not so worried about the look. The big distraction for me in the video was how good your track looks, the consistency of the rust of the rails is superb! How have you done it, apologies, it may be in a video, but there are a lot there but I don't get a chance to look at them often. The camera is often cruel in close up, so in real life your layout must be truly amazing. Cheers Tony
Perfect for plank layouts where the operator can easily reach but imagine trying to uncouple on these plans http://www.ramsbottommrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Layout-Plan-Model-Rail.jpg http://www.stroleycentral.co.uk/Stroley Central Track Plan.jpg or like some of those plans by Iain Rice in Mainlines in Modest Spaces. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_03_2010/post-123-126846954974.jpg
G`day Ed, The coaches are another story yet to be dealt with........I`ll sort this one first and ponder the coach issue in the meantime. Gormo
That`s really good Ben, I had a look at RMWeb and that system shapes up rather well. It`s a bit more sophisticated than what I`m doing but I am a colonial boy after all.... Gormo
G`day Tony, Thanks for your comments, The track was all done with acrylic paints ( Artists Tubes ) and is a mixture of rust / earth colours and Matt Black to achieve the rusty / used / dirty look. The paint was all brushed on with stiff artists brushes and was done without great care and a somewhat random attitude. I don`t think I`ve put that in a video, although I`m starting to lose track of some things I`ve filmed ...???? . Once the paint is on the rail you can use an old cloth over the end of your finger to wipe the rail top clean. Once totally dry come back with a rail cleaning rubber just to make sure all is clean. If you would prefer, I can make it the subject of the next Gormo`s Shed..?? Gormo
Ah Yes Sol, You are absolutely correct there..........not ideal for those situations, but we choose the best tool for the job for our railways. Fortunately ,my railway is reachable so the 3 links won`t be a problem, but on one of the Iain Rice plans one would have to bite the bullet and use Kadees or Tension locks. Gormo
Gormo, that is amazing. The pull on those magnets and chain must be something else. Great to see the train running and then pushed backwards to show how strong and reliable your method is. Brilliant, five stars..!! ...Ok, 'thumbs up' instead. Cheers, Gary.
A good looking simple answer to a perennial problem. Making couplings look realistic and also easy ish to operate is the holy grail for all modellers and I reckon you've got a potential winner here mate! http://www.clickhttp://www.click Cheer's, Pete.
These ND magnets are certainly changing things - Games Workshop modellers are using them to attach limbs etc for their gaming models to give further options in their wargamings and the coupling thing is something I have been revisiting idly this last year or so. The trouble is that I don't have the luxury of decades to fritter away in tangents any more and a more focused approach to modelling is essential to carry out even some of the ideas and plans that bubble away.... Even if I managed to dream up a workable scenario, the thought of applying it to the far too much stock I have would probably scupper any chance of it happening.
I am quite intrigued by this 'project' but would like to ask if there has been any influence/interaction on this system from the already installed under-track magnetic coupler/uncouplers?
Thanks Gormo Just caught up with the latest on this thread and it really looks spot on for realism. This also has applications for early NSWGR four wheelers, notably the early coal hoppers. Cheers Richard