Noel

33 wagons and 24 coaches converted so far. Only the cement wagons to do and then I'll take a pause and get back to other outstanding workbench projects. Before starting I had just a hint of scepticism about kadee's, but the more stock I converted and test ran the more pleased I was that I'd taken the plunge. Chart below summarising kadee's current product offerings. Their web site is so confusing and they seem to have gazillions of versions of their products, but the list below may help some. It's not definitive and the choice of coupling lengths suited the 3ft radius curves on our layout. IMHO the 237 trip pin pliers is an essential tool for tweaking the odd wagon or coach where you experience a marginally drooping trip pin (i.e. track snag and derailment hazard). Was very happy how close I was able to couple the old Bachmann wagons below and how 100% reliably they ran after conversion from the old tension lock couplings. PS: One rake of mk2d's was converted using Hornby/Roco but with kadee's at each end of the rake for loco coupling (i.e. I have one fixed rake of mk2d). PS2: Also in the mean time most of my locos have a kadee at one cab end and the original TLC at the other end so I can operate them with converted and unconverted stock.

Cheer Jason. I've only one set of three cement wagons left to weather. I'm debating if I should keep the last set pristine or weather them up. Being pristine they kind of stick out like a sore thumb at the end of the rake.

Stunning scene.

25yo Bachmann wagons converted to CIE mixed with 3D beat wagons, Bells and assorted stock. Close coupled thanks to Bachmann's 25yo design recently converted to kadee couplings. I found copies of the long defunct 'Signal Box' mail order invoices showing these wagons originally cost me £3.75ea. So far I've managed to convert the couplings on 33 wagons. Really pleased how well they are running being hauled or pushed. CIE Black'n'Tan era is nostalgia gold Imaginary 1969 I love the way these old Bachmann wagons can run so well close coupled. I lightly weathered these pair of baby GMs last winter. I have kadee couplings at one end and TLCs at the other so I can run them with converted and unconverted rolling stock for now.

Thanks for info Fran (@Warbonnet). Will you be selling the B&I containers separately?

B&I would be nice from IRM or C-Rail. After BELL it's a missing link.

Ditto. Same here, good service.

B233 hauling local cement train waits on the inner down loop while B141 has scheduled stop at Woodvale junction platform 2. Behind is mixed goods train comprised of corrugated opens, CIE vans and a few Bell containers waiting on the inner up loop for the 10:42 express on route to Kingsbridge to pass it on platform 3. Circa 1972'ish B141 coupled up to GSV 3185 gets the starter signal for the 10:44 to Ballygowhatsit, overtaking the local cement train hauled by B233 which is scheduled to depart at 10:51 assuming the block section is cleared on time. Meanwhile back in the workshops work continues updating and weathering 25yo Bachmann goods wagons. Replacement wheels on order, mind you the older plastic Bachmann wheel sets had slightly shorter axles than their current metal wheel sets so a little fettling will be required on the plastic bearings when they arrive to get free running and avoid the chassis sides being pushed outwards. They metal axles are only 0.3mm longer, not much you might think but enough to make a difference. Yes thanks, busy all right but I had much the stock moved up from level 1 to level 2 for Kadee test runs. Level 0 track doesn't exist yet but one day it might (i.e. single track branch line).

Its not as realistic as Tara junction, no men at work, no action going on here Seriously, nice pic PS: 079 hasn't yet been fitted with kadee's and not even weathered.

RPSI Riviera today passing Newcastle airfield.

More kadee fettling and adjustments on coaching stock. Reducing Kadee size from no 19 to no 17 in the NEM pockets of these two CIE vans (HLV+TPO) greatly reduced the gaps yet due shortish length still get around bends and across paintwork without fouling or buffer lock. Min radius curves are 3ft, most are 3'6" but surprisingly these also run over the few 'short' Peco points I have. The Park Royals will need more work as I adjust the bar on the commonwealth bogies as they don't have NEM pockets, nor do the laminates.

Enjoyed a lengthy running session this evening with a visiting WMRC member testing various stock formations with the new couplings. Also enjoyed playing with a WheelTappers LokSound DCC sound project on B&T B181 with 'PowerDrive' feature. Fun also with B141 running MrSoundGuy's Zimo sound project which has 'RealDrive'. Love them both. GSV 3185 nestles up close to Craven CIE Brake Parcels van couples up nicely to Craven. TPO will need keen system drawbars to close the gap, couplings direct to body don't cut mustard.

Kadee conversion of IRM ballast wagons continues. Kadee no 18s glued to underside of NEM pockets has worked really well. Comparison below on test track. Top four wagons out of the box with tension lock couplings, the four wagons below have had the Kadee no 18s added. The rake is considerably shorter. Very happy so far with test runs on the layout over short peco points and my tightest radius curves. PS: Looking at these lovely wagons I think I am going to have to bite the bullet and weather them soon, especially the loads.

Nice progress. Enjoying seeing this layout evolve.

Brilliant idea

Ah - a fellow RC'er. I only just noticed the RC model aircraft in this photo now. Is the A-10 electric or turbine? Some lovely models cover all eras.

Hi Stephen. I got them from Peter's Spares (https://www.petersspares.com) where I get various bits and pieces for kit bashing. They are Keen Systems LMS suspended gangways. But remember the main way of closing the gap is a coupling attached to a swivelling drawbar that is independent of the bogie or coach body (i.e. as used on modern Bachmann and Murphy Model coaches over the past decade). The gangways certainly reduce the gap because of the sprung cover and will close it between two coaches that have swivelling drawbars for the couplings (i.e. that extend the gap when a coach enters a bend or point). Noel

This 'tool' has been invaluable while converting stock to kadee couplings. It comprises the kadee coupling height gauge mounted on a piece of ballasted track which has been easy to use on the workbench when sizing up potential positions of couplings on stock and bogies. Easy to get down to eye level and it can be picked up. I found it accelerated the time needed to choose which kadee would be the easiest fit for a piece of stock and the simplest way of fitting the coupling (e.g. test hold various kadee couplings with tweezers under stock for dry fit alignment testing). Also useful for stock to stock coupling tests on the bench before trying converted stock out on the layout.

CIE BSK GSV + CIE Brake Parcel Van received the Kadee treatment. The sprung Keen suspended gangways help the appearance, but I guess if I added the Keen system swivelling draw bar to some of my other stock everything could be this close coupled. Bogie mounted couplings simply cannot facilitate close coupling. I get away with it below because the gangways are sprung. The CIE Black'n'tan era never had uniform coach rakes, they were a mix of everything from Park Royals, Laminates, Bredin, Cravens, etc, and any manner of vans for parcels, heating, TPO, etc. So from a coupling point of view it is challenging to minimise gaps when some of the stock have kadee's mounted to bogies, others the coach body, and others the optimal mounted to a swivelling draw bar (e.g. like Bachmann and MM coaches).

Thanks @Dhu Varren. At €17 it looks like a nice piece of kit worth trying out on one baby GM for shunting. I will check how easy it is to get a spare 150mA function output wire onto a LokSound V4 used in MM141 (i.e. either soldered directly to the decoder, or possibly from the MM 141 PCB), and have a look at the innards of the NEM pocket on the 141/Bachmann bogie. Ideally I'd like to fit the actuator somewhere behind the existing NEM pocket on the bogie if it will fit rather than cut it off and fit a gearbox kadee to the bogie. I guess another option may be @Flying Scotsman 4472 Anthony's technique of fitting the coupling directly to the 141 body (i.e. NEM pocket glued to the valance). But I'm not sure if the the actuator would fit or if a longer coupling might be needed due to coupling no longer tracking with the bogie. Decisions, decisions, but sure experimenting with this sort of stuff is what constantly adds fresh 'spice' to the hobby. Always new things to learn and try. Thanks again for the info. 2 Piece pack: https://www.precimodels.com/en/shop/product/1-dcc-uncoupling-conversion-kit 6 Piece pack: https://www.precimodels.com/en/shop/product/5-dcc-uncoupling-conversion-kit-set-of-6-pcs Do you know what the difference is between their 2 piece and 6 piece packs? The web site has identical descriptions for both. I'd love to give this a try. If there is anything else you can remember about fitting please let us know. Below - 2 piece pack Below - Fitted to a draft gearbox kadee Below - Fitted to a NEM kadee Thanks Noel

Words fail. But heck "Exorbitantly Fabulous" The superb buildings and street scape's take this layout to a level I've not seen before.

Thanks DV, that's interesting. I've seen that video clip before but wasn't sure how reliable it might have been due to wear or chaffing on the fine thread. Do you know if it still working well for your friend on the BR 2-6-4T loco?

I like the look of this Subarashi but they seem out of production. https://www.smart-coupler.com

Cheers. Me neither. But when I get time I'm going to try and hijack the 5th & 6th function wires for cab lights to operate a DCC uncoupler on an 071. Might end in disaster but I'm kind of curious.

Hi PJR. You would need a 6 function decoder to operate the CAB lights on an MM 071 or MM 201 loco. The Hattons decoder is only 4 function. Noel PS: I use Lenz Silver which is also only 4 functions in some of my 071s because I don't like the cab lights (i.e. bluish tint and too bright). They should only be on when the loco is stationary anyway (i.e. darkened cab for good night vision visibility of signals, etc).