Couplings for Live Steam

P

philately

Registered
I don't know whether it's generally known that Roundhouse locos have buffer-coupling hooks that, when removed, can take LGB coupling D loops as a straight swap.

However, all is not so idyllic when it comes to matching Roundhouse buffers with Accucraft chopper couplings.

I can't be the only one facing this problem and I don't like running an engine loose-coupled with bathplug chain on a train of chopper-couple passenger stock. It looks and behave wrong!

Does anyone know whether a suitable adapter exists?

Richard
 
The only loco I've converted was an Accu that had a centre buffer. I fitted Accu choppers, but had to drill and tap two holes in the beams. Not too difficult once the correct height had been established. I wouldn't expect a R/H to be any more bother.
 
Three coupling types is too many! I had a similar problem and had my R/H Russell converted to choppers. Note that you have to be extremely accurate as to the height at which the chopper is set as there is no vertical play at all. I chose to have mine set at the level for Accu rolling stock. If you have it set at the height for Accu steam locos, you will either need a translator coupling or some sort of match wagon next to the loco on every train. I have been very pleased with the chopper coupling and as my fleet is divided into "UK steam stock" and Swiss/German stock it doesn't matter - I never need to couple my steam locos to the Swiss stock. Also, the chopper looks much less clunky and much more prototypical than the LGB loop.

Graham Hewett
 
Rather than cause undue damage to my early Accucraft Edrig (2005 vintage) I epoxy-resined chopper couplings in place of the originals having tried to drill accurately and not altogether succeeded owing to the fact that I'm not an engineer. The couplings work very well, and they haven't come adrift even with 14 on, on a 3 ft radius 180-deg. curve. The fact that choppers have a pivot helps a lot to counteract the hassle of over-long vehicle overhangs on sharp bends. The contrast is stark when compared to my R/H Katie's tendency to derail wagons when performing reversing shunting movements as the chain, buffer and chopper tend to snarl up even on Piko Radius 5.

It seems to me it would be an attractive and inexpensive option to have an adapter to fit choppers to both Roundhouse and LGB stock without irreversible modification to either. Oh well, I can but dream!

Richard Stamp
 
philately said:
It seems to me it would be an attractive and inexpensive option to have an adapter to fit choppers to both Roundhouse and LGB stock without irreversible modification to either. Oh well, I can but dream!

Richard Stamp
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No necessarily. I have yet to get a R/H loco so don't know the size/shape/fixings on it, but when I do I'll think about that problem, as leaving things as original, or at least so they can be returned so with ease, is one of my pet preferences. Meanwhile epoxy, or even cyano, is probably a pretty good second.
 
I have modified my Lady Anne and VoR to fit Accucraft chopper couplings. Yes you have to drill the buffer beam and its overlay. But to revert to original form without any cosmetic damage..........buy a replacement set of overlays from Roundhouse. Not expensive.

I'm not sure how one could produce a simple neat, compact and affordable universal adapter to fit Accu' choppers given the limited market. They are already reckoned to be a bit on the long size in prototypical terms. White metal would not be strong enough or suitable for threading in a compact device. Lost wax brass casting perhap ?

One has to assume that R/H and Accu' use standard coupling heights on their respective locos (IOM excepted) and each maker (or both) would use a standard pattern fitement for their as supplied centre buffer coupler. One would also have to assume one would predominently want to couple to Accu' rolling stock or other kit built makes (Perfect World/IP/Brandbright/etc') that should have a common standard coupling height themselves as standard. I think the 16 mm NGM society have that set a standard that the makers adhere to, unless the prototype dicates otherwise .

One for Swift Sixteen or Locoworks to look at for viability?

Max
 
I'm nut sure about the Accucraft choppers but you could buy brass adapters to fit Tenmille choppers to the LGB type coupler mount that Roundhouse use on their older designs. I can't remember who made them, possibly GRS, I have a few packs I bought from the Merstham members sales stand last year which I will try to find.
 
maxi-model said:
I think the 16 mm NGM society have that set a standard that the makers adhere to, unless the prototype dicates otherwise .
Click to expand...
16mm NGM standard is 25mm rail height to centre of buffer head.
 
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