Plastic couplers

This forum is dedicated to Riding Scale Railroading with propulsion using other than steam (Hydraulics, diesel engines, gas engines, electric motors, hybrid etc.)

Moderator: Harold_V

Dale_F
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:58 am
Location: Chiloquin, OR

Plastic couplers

Post by Dale_F »

I know that a whole bunch of plastic couplers were sold at the Train Mountain Triennial in 2015. They have been out there now for 2 years. I have no stake in this company, but am just wondering how they have held up for people. I have had a set on 2 of my cars and so far have not had any problems at all.

I am looking to hear from people who bought them and have used them. I am looking to learn if any have failed, or if anyone feels they are unsafe. I want to move the couplers to more of my cars but just want to do due diligence. Unless you have a pair in your hands, I am not really looking for your opinions.

Thanks.
User avatar
Dave_Johnson
Posts: 238
Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2003 8:13 pm
Location: Winchester, Virginia

Re: Plastic couplers

Post by Dave_Johnson »

I put one on my stock car. I use it for a propane car, so it is the first coupler behind the loco. I pull 8 cars, sometimes more. The coupler has never failed.
User avatar
dnevil
Posts: 373
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:19 am
Location: Springtown, Texas
Contact:

Re: Plastic couplers

Post by dnevil »

This topic just came up at our local club (Annetta Valley & Western RR). My friend Terry wrote the following:
I bought a pair of these just to see how they would do. They couple with almost everything we have at the track, but I did find a couple of older couplers that they did not mate with. With those, I could not get the plastic knuckles to close far enough to lock. They DO seem to be strong enough to include in a fairly lengthy train. Overall, I'd recommend them.
Hope this helps.

Daris
Daris Nevil
IBLS Secretary
North American Region
http://www.ibls.org
ccvstmr
Posts: 2230
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 10:37 am
Location: New Lenox, IL

Re: Plastic couplers

Post by ccvstmr »

Plastic coupler between tender and propane carrying car? You're welcome to use that coupler as you see fit, but that wouldn't be my first choice for a plastic coupler application. Sorry. Even if equipped with safety chains...would prefer (and some clubs require) some kind of metal draw bar...either steel bar stock or a cast iron drawbar coupler. Just another $.02. Carl B.
Life is like a sewer...what you get out of it depends on what you put into it!
I don't walk on water...I just learned where some of the stepping stones are!
I love mankind...it's some of the people I can't stand!
User avatar
Harold_V
Posts: 20231
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2002 11:02 pm
Location: Onalaska, WA USA

Re: Plastic couplers

Post by Harold_V »

ccvstmr wrote: or a cast iron drawbar coupler.
Hmmm. If you'd have mentioned ductile iron, I might agree, but (gray) cast iron is not known for its tensile strength, and may offer a similar risk of failure as would plastic.

H
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
ccvstmr
Posts: 2230
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 10:37 am
Location: New Lenox, IL

Re: Plastic couplers

Post by ccvstmr »

Harold...have to admit, don't know what material the coupler draw bar was cast in. It was a commercially available product that I've been running between the tender and fuel car for 16 years. Still, I have a pair of safety chains between the two pieces of rolling stock. If nothing else, the chains help keep the fuel and air brake lines from hanging too low (although those were cut to prevent dragging). Carl B.
Life is like a sewer...what you get out of it depends on what you put into it!
I don't walk on water...I just learned where some of the stepping stones are!
I love mankind...it's some of the people I can't stand!
jamesjgould
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2017 9:43 pm
Location: Ann Arbor, MI & Zephyrhills, FL
Contact:

Re: Plastic couplers

Post by jamesjgould »

Tom Bee and Dennis Goodman both produce dummy coupler drawbars in very high quality ductile iron. They will never break. I wonder how the the plastic couplers compare to the old cast aluminum couplers popular in the early days of the hobby. Knuckles breaking in derailments are always the big problem in the cast aluminum and also the grey iron
couplers.
0-4-0
4-6-0
4-4-2
4-4-0
2-6-0(2)
5 batt elec
44 cars rolling stock
2400' 7 1/2" track
User avatar
Adirondack
Posts: 410
Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:59 pm
Location: southern CT

Re: Plastic couplers

Post by Adirondack »

I've not had any luck locating the plastic couplers. Can anyone point me in the direction of a commercial source?

Thanks

ADK
Adirondack Car & Foundry
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/

A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
Marty_Knox
Posts: 1724
Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:50 pm
Location: Michigan, USA

Re: Plastic couplers

Post by Marty_Knox »

Enterprise Plastics, the plastic tie people.
www.eprailsystem.com
User avatar
Adirondack
Posts: 410
Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:59 pm
Location: southern CT

Re: Plastic couplers

Post by Adirondack »

Marty_Knox wrote: Sat Jul 07, 2018 11:57 am Enterprise Plastics, the plastic tie people.
www.eprailsystem.com
Thanks Marty. I tried to email them but it bounced. I guess a phone call is in order.

ADK
Adirondack Car & Foundry
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/

A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
Mr Ron
Posts: 2126
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 12:36 pm
Location: Vancleave, Mississippi

Re: Plastic couplers

Post by Mr Ron »

I have found that Bachman plastic couplers while being too small for 1-1/2 scale are just the right size for 3/4 scale and oversize for 3/8 and G scales.
Mr.Ron from South Mississippi
User avatar
Adirondack
Posts: 410
Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:59 pm
Location: southern CT

Re: Plastic couplers

Post by Adirondack »

Mr Ron wrote: Mon Oct 22, 2018 11:08 am I have found that Bachmann plastic couplers while being too small for 1-1/2 scale are just the right size for 3/4 scale and oversize for 3/8 and G scales.
Ron, do you mean their G scale couplers, or their 1:20.3?

Very interesting, as I build narrow gauge on in 1 3/4" scale on 3 1/2" gauge.

Thanks!

ADK
Adirondack Car & Foundry
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/

A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
Post Reply