LGB couplings

[Sarah Winfield]

I don't understand why the LGB coupling is designed as it is?

Surely there is a flaw in its design because gravity will take the hook away from the loop? I realise there is a plastic spring to create an upwards pressure but if this fails the hook will fall thus rendering it useless to hold vehicles together.

Most of you will recall the Triang type coupling where the hook rested on the loop.

Sarah Winfield

 

[Zerogee]

The thing is, the LGB one just WORKS. The springs don't generally fail, and if one should then it's easily replaceable.....

Jon.

 

[Ralphmp]

The LGB coupling is also easier to uncouple from above as you can simply press down on the appropriate parts, and this is ideal for most garden layouts as these are low down. If you have to lift up things to uncouple - like the various "chopper" couplings that are available - then it would be harder to do this without getting down to track level.

 

[KentKeith]

I've been using LGB couplings ever since I got into G-Scale back in 2003 and since then I have not had one failure of a spring and that includes incorporating the spring and hooks on both ends of all my rolling stock.

OK, maybe it does not look good but its simple, easy to fit...…. and it works!!!!

 

[Alec K]

No design flaw - tested in practice over many years in multiple environments and conditions of usage. And, as Keith says, they work - and keep on working.

 

[Neil Robinson]

I don't understand why the LGB coupling is designed as it is?

Sarah Winfield

LGB used to claim that it was easy for young children to remove individual coaches or wagons from a train with a hook at only one end of each vehicle. Just lift the loop only end of one a little to split the train then lift the loop end of the adjacent vehicle to release.

 

[JimmyB]

Have used (in my very short G Scale existence) Bachmann knuckle couplings and Hook and Loop, I am moving solely to hook and loop, cause they work!!

 

[dunnyrail]

Yes I am a great believer in LGB Couplings, for uncoupling a Bone (or synthetic equivalent) Handled Dinner Knife is hard to beat. We probably all have the odd one lurking about somewhere, certainly some of mine are a leave over from Mum and Dad's wedding some 73 years ago.

 

[playmofire]

I find the Playmobil weighted hook a better version of the LGB original.

 

[PhilP]

Yes I am a great believer in LGB Couplings, for uncoupling a Bone (or synthetic equivalent) Handled Dinner Knife is hard to beat. We probably all have the odd one lurking about somewhere, certainly some of mine are a leave over from Mum and Dad's wedding some 73 years ago.

I find a plant label (in plastic) is a better bet.. Slips in a back pocket, unobtrusive, you don't get arrested if you forget it is there and leave the garden, and (most importantly) it does not short the track.

 

[Zerogee]

I find a plant label (in plastic) is a better bet.. Slips in a back pocket, unobtrusive, you don't get arrested if you forget it is there and leave the garden, and (most importantly) it does not short the track.

A very wise point about the shorting potential, Phil - I wouldn't go near the track with anything metal-bladed! I find a cut-down "commercial" plant label works best, one of the ones that they write prices on in garden centres - AKA the "Giztool", as posted before but always worth a quick repost for the benefit of new members.....





Apologies, as before, for the really cr*p pics - will have to take some better ones!

Jon.

 

[dunnyrail]

I find a plant label (in plastic) is a better bet.. Slips in a back pocket, unobtrusive, you don't get arrested if you forget it is there and leave the garden, and (most importantly) it does not short the track.

Funny thing is I get lots of visitors that use the knives for uncoupling and we have never had a short related incident whist doing so. If you think about it the Hook stops the knife touching the track. Andy Rush had even more visitors than me with no problems either.

 

[Zerogee]

If I have nothing else handy, I have used the Tesco Clubcard laminated cardboard tag that is on my key ring.... that works too (being careful to keep the keys themselves in my hand and away from the rails!).

Sadly I don't get points on it for each uncoupling......

Jon.

 

[Zerogee]

Thinking about it, there should be an uncoupling tool called a "Gwyneth", after Ms. Paltrow......

Jon.

 

[phils2um]

I use wood popsicle sticks. They're stashed all around the layout. I have a box of 500 my father bought many ages ago as "craft sticks". He's been gone 28 years now. Too bad he never had a chance to see the backyard as it now exists.

Phil S.

 

[JeffofSpace]

Does LGB make a proper “wand”. Prob a limited edition

 

[JeffofSpace]

Also, a question...(without being cheeky)...do the Bachmann versions work as well or ok?

 

[casey jones snr]

Also, a question...(without being cheeky)...do the Bachmann versions work as well or ok?

They work ok, not as good as the LGB ones.My uncoupling devices for LGB couplers. Mind you I haven't run any LGB stock on the CFR for a couple of years.

 

[Ralff]

I was hoping someone may help. I’m looking for a supplier or size of the metal compression springs tha LGB used on their pre plastic couplers. I’ve just found half a dozen at the bottom of box

 

[dunnyrail]

I was hoping someone may help. I’m looking for a supplier or size of the metal compression springs tha LGB used on their pre plastic couplers. I’ve just found half a dozen at the bottom of box

If they are unfindable a piece of Lead wraped round the Round Bit as far back as you can makes an adequate substitute. Or even a piece of flat screwed into the part on top. Acting as a Cantilever effect anything at the extreme rear will keep the hook in place sans spring.