Large Scale Central

The Best Place to Buy Link and Pins?

Modeling
#1

So guys I’m thining of using only Link and Pin’s on the line…where is the best place to Buy?

thanks
cale

#2

Probably Ozark Mini’s.

http://www.ozarkminiatures.com/Scripts/default.asp
or
http://www.ridgeroadstation.com/trains.shtml

jb

#3

Ozarks, make the easiest replacement, they’re white metal though. they make 2 types, one that mounts to the face of the end beam and one that mounts under the end beams, between the two you can retrofit 90% of the cars out there. they are abour $4 a pair. they also make make different multi-pocket type L-n-P’s for loco’s.

Trackside Details makes a nice all brass body end beam mounted L-n-P but its like $9 for a pair.

#4

I’ve never been happy with the white metal castings I’ve used on my first scratchbuilt reefer; ever since that one, I’ve chosen to used brass instead - and it holds up a lot better.

Now, maybe the white metal is OK for those L&P, but I would be very concerned about the hassle of coupling and uncoupling cars, especially if you’re going to let the boys handle any of them. Why not go for Kadee, or Accucraft, for that matter?

#5

I cast my own LNP couplers, an d they worked good…cheap too…Makes foran interesting operation that the LNP cars have to be cut in at the end of the train behind the knuckle coupler cars…

#6

Thanks Guys

Haven’t thought of the boys in this instance…I would really like to stay away from Hook and Loop…except on thier trains…and I really like LNP, but Knuckles had kinda slipped my mind…So yall like the Kadee and Accuraft…Accuraft may not be a bad idea since the one piece of rolling stock I own is AMS…

cale

#7

I used Kadee in my HO days and liked them a lot. But, if you left your uncoupling tool at the last spur, you’re going to have to lift the car up to uncouple.

With the Accucraft, you can just push up from the bottom and they’re uncoupled. You can also use the lift bar if it’s installed. I standardized on the Accucraft; but there’s others that like Kadee - or even some of the other manufacturers.

It’s almost a religious debate, but you should try them out before you decide.

#8

I’ve been one of those Kadee converters. I use the larger size, I think they call them “G” size. 831’s and 835’s mainly. Having now picked up some Accucraft cars, I find they mate well with the Kadees and as always LIFE IS GOOD. To make the Accucraft a little more tolerable of some tight radius, I remove the centering springs from the pockets and that gives enough room for tolerance and slow speeds. I do use link and pin on the logging stuff and have Kadees that fit into the link and pin socket for conversion to standard couplers on at least one disconnect.

I cut the tails off the Kadees and use a screwdriver for uncoupling.

#9

KD’s 830 Body mounts for me on all the rolling stock and most of the lokies.
Some 820 (#1 gauge) on the smaller stuff.
Uncoupling tool is an 18" long ignition screw driver.

<…I cut the tails off the Kadees…>
Ric,
Are you talking about that “air hose” that hangs down?
jb