Kingsbridge - Kadee + coupling conversions

[Noel]

For completeness in this thread, 4 min video of kadee' shunting in action with uncoupling and delayed uncoupling demonstrated. The layout only needed one strategically placed under track magnet. With short 2 axle wagons it helps to ensure the wagons are close to NMRA weights for reliable coupling and uncoupling (ie without bounce or axle magnet hopping). 

There was a post over on the main FaceBook model railway group asking about Kadee's this thread might be a useful resource to those converting from tension locks to kadee's or those who wish to shunt stock without the hand of God from the model sky uncoupling wagons and coaches.

 

[Mike 84C]

Thanks for that video Noel, very interesting with only one magnet. As so many modellers are going over to Kaydee and other magnetic uncoupling systems its a pity manufacturers wont fit non magnetic wheels and axles for our market. The Americans have had them for years!

[llienoecreip]

Hey Noel, do you have any suggestions for adding Kadee's to an IRM A class model?

[Noel]

55 minutes ago, llienoecreip said:

Hey Noel, do you have any suggestions for adding Kadee's to an IRM A class model?

I think I fitted Kadee no 18s to mine, possibly 19s. I'll have a look later.

[Noel]

Bump for the FB groups

[cudf]

Hi @Noel @irishthump

I've been looking up this thread and wondering if you have added Kadee couplings to the Hattons (now Accurascale) Genesis 6 wheel coaches and what type did you use

 

Edited Monday at 08:24 by cudf
add a contributors name

[irishthump]

On 15/4/2026 at 6:06 PM, cudf said:

Hi @Noel @irishthump

I've been looking up this thread and wondering if you have added Kadee couplings to the Hattons (now Accurascale) Genesis 6 wheel coaches and what type did you use

 

Hey cudf, sorry for the late reply. I don't own any Genesis coaches myself, but from what I see they are fitted with kinematic NEM pockets, so any of the standard NEM Kadees (size 17-20) will do the job. The exact ones you use will depend on how close you want the coaches to be coupled and how tight your layout curves are.

 

[cudf]

On 21/4/2026 at 5:13 PM, irishthump said:

Hey cudf, sorry for the late reply. I don't own any Genesis coaches myself, but from what I see they are fitted with kinematic NEM pockets, so any of the standard NEM Kadees (size 17-20) will do the job. The exact ones you use will depend on how close you want the coaches to be coupled and how tight your layout curves are.

 

Hi, @irishthump yes thanks, I went ahead and tried the #19, but I did need to bend the pin up quite a lot in order to get it over the magnets.  Seems to work ok now.

[irishthump]

25 minutes ago, cudf said:

Hi, @irishthump yes thanks, I went ahead and tried the #19, but I did need to bend the pin up quite a lot in order to get it over the magnets.  Seems to work ok now.

Is the NEM pocket at the correct height? Also sometimes the Kadees droop a little in the pocket and that can be helped by inserting a small shim under the coupler.

[cudf]

1 hour ago, irishthump said:

Is the NEM pocket at the correct height? Also sometimes the Kadees droop a little in the pocket and that can be helped by inserting a small shim under the coupler.

I think it's the way the NEM pocket itself is attached to the carraige, it just droops down from where its connected.  Where would I get these small shims?

[Tullygrainey]

22 minutes ago, cudf said:

I think it's the way the NEM pocket itself is attached to the carraige, it just droops down from where its connected.  Where would I get these small shims?

A little square of thin Plasticard will do the job

Edited 2 hours ago by Tullygrainey