I have been playing around with what couplers I want to use. Right now I have hook/loops on the few cars I have. I have mounted knuckle couplers (bachmann and aristo delton series) on a car and engine to try out. I liked them. My only problem is that the buffer plate on the euro cars gets in the way, so I have to extend the couplers way out, which I would rather not do. Does anyone use knuckles on euro cars and if so how do you do it? Do you remove the buffer plate? I have been buying used cars for very little cost, as well as the nuquida knock offs, so “tweaking” them would not be an issue. However, before I do, I’m just wondering if there is something I’m missing.
I have three Euro passenger trains, a Swiss, German and Austrian.
I use body mount KD’s (830) on all three. I have removed the bumpers.
These cars are useless on the re-sale market, but I don’t care.
I’d would rather have care-free and reliable operation. Plus they couple close together for a pleasing look.
Your railroad Phil, do what you want.
The simple to handle hook and loop couplings have worked perfectly well on LGB and similar products for well over 40 years - why replace them now? The ‘bumpers’ as you call them - ‘buffers’ over here in yoorup - are fast being replaced by ARA-style knuckles on modern equipment, much of which is actually made up of ‘sets’ of similar cars. Old style trains, especially narrow gauge, usually have a lot of different types of couplings, from so-called ‘chopper’ couplings to the more usual three-link hook and chain.
tac
www.ovgrs.org
Supporter of the Cape meares Lighthouse Restoration Fund
What is a “chopper” coupling? I know about the chain syle, as I recently found some videos on line of a rhb switching session. Was pretty cool to watch. Got to see the chain system up close. Don’t know what that chopper system is though.
As for which couplers I will use, I am building an indoor layout on which I will do a lot of switching. I only have 5 cars at the moment, along with an engine. I have been using the hook/loop and they work fine. I have even cut off half the sring and this allows for easier, slower speed coupling. They look OK. I have also tried some knuckles previously and liked the look of them. Operations wise, I am not sure they are the best though. Still up in the air which way to go and may revisit the knuckles and do some heavy duty testing before I decide.
For operations kadee knuckles would be your best bet. I use Bachmann because they are more affordable for me plus I dont do operations so they work fine for my purpose. I also would get rid of the buffer plate just to make things easier to work with.
Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to confuse you. I was simply pointing out the different types of coupling used by NG railways here in Europe - couplings that are specifically designed to be difficult to undo.
Since I don’t model standard gauge European stuff that needs constant connect/unconnect, please ignore my post.
tac
www.ovgrs.org
Supporter of the Cape Meares Lighthouse Restoration fund
but TAC, could you explain what a ‘Chopper coupler’ is even a pic if possible. You know how we like pics 
http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?pid=130185#p130185
Best I can do, sorry.
I’ve sent a couple of pix to Ken Brunt to post for me, if he can.
tac
www.ovgrs.org
Supporter of the Cape Meares Lighthouse Resoration Fund
tac,
that was the perfect link…
(i tried twice, before i realized, where it leads to.)
TAC - How’s this ???
(http://members.ozemail.com.au/~telica/Images/0816a-Setesdalsban-loco-close-up--at-terminus.jpg)
and this
or this 
I get most of it, but splain what the ball does please. Never mind, I just needed to scroll down…
(http://members.ozemail.com.au/~telica/Images/0824-Setesdalsban-loco-chopper-couplings.jpg)
Images from The Setesdals Railway (Setesdalsbanen) at http://members.ozemail.com.au/~telica/Norway_Setesdalsbanen.html
Very interesting. Never seen that before. I can see where it would work well for narrow gauge (lighter loads) as opposed to standard gauge stuff.
Thank you
Jon - that’s great, many thanks for helping me out. However, be aware that in UK there are TWO ‘hooks’ - one on each part of the coupling, not just the one as depicted in the furrin train-set.
tac
www.ovgrs.org
Supporter of the Cape Meares Lighthouse Restoration Fund
Interesting detail… I have a friend who mounted small 1/4" paintbrushes on his gauge 1 locos just like that to sweep ants off the railhead. I’m assuming those are for something a bit bigger than ants. Later, K
Hi Phil,
Yep the HOm and the IIm version of RhB layout Grischun use Kadee couplers. On the IIm I go as far as chopping off the center buffers to get close coupling without interference from “not so important” features.
Hedgehogs.
Make the track VERY slippery.
…and snow of course.
tac
www.ovgrs.org
Supporter of the Cape Meares Lighthouse Restoration Fund