Cheap & Cheerful

Trying out the link-and-pin couplers on the coaches, I found the plastic pins a very tight fit, to the point where I would have to ream out the holes in the coupler bodies. All very well for a fixed rake, not so much when you have to uncouple for storage. So I decided to make pins from 1/16” brass wire that will double as hooks for three-link coupling chains as used on the rest of my stock.
IMG_0534.jpeg
As pins with the plastic link.

IMG_0533.jpeg
As a hook. Height above rail (1” to coupler centre) matches my standard buffers/hooks.

IMG_0532.jpeg
Side view of the link. Closer coupling than three links. The brass pins fit nicely in their holes.
 
Last edited:
Chris Vernell said:
Trying out the link-and-pin couplers on the coaches, I found the plastic pins a very tight fit, to the point where I would have to ream out the holes in the coupler bodies. All very well for a fixed rake, not so much when you have to uncouple for storage. So I decided to make pins from 1/16” brass wire that will double as hooks for three-link coupling chains as used on the rest of my stock.
View attachment 339423
As pins with the plastic link.

View attachment 339424
As a hook. Height above rail (1” to coupler centre) matches my standard buffers/hooks.

View attachment 339425
Side view of the link. Closer coupling than three links. The brass pins fit nicely in their holes.
Click to expand...
Yep, I have some of those bargain link and pin coupler sockets, and as you say, the pin is a very snug fit. It's OK for me as I don't do much uncoupling :shake::shake:
 
After further cogitation :snooze:, I took up the razor saw and reduced the loco’s large dome to a stump whereon to mount white metal whistle and safety valves from Ozark Miniatures.
IMG_0536.jpeg IMG_0537.jpeg
The idea being to get the delicate Ozark bits safely below the cab roofline and out of the way of clumsy hands o_O
Also, I didn’t really like the big dome :shake:
 
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