My plans are to model late 1800s. As far as I know, 3 link chain was used for coupling up until at least 1920. What are people’s thoughts on using chain instead of couplers, especially as it relates to operations?
My one thought about making things easier was to find chain that was magnetic with plastic hooks, but I haven’t tested if they’ll take the forces required yet.
Michael,
The size of the links will limit the load pulled. But I know I’ve seen that somewhere… just can’t pin it down. Any photos?
In a sense, the link-and-pin coupler is an enormous version of the chain, but with only one fat link.
A three-link chain works, but has a lot of slop between the pins, and whatever is holding them. So, cars will slam together when braking. And, as with link-and-pin, it was always a danger putting that second pin in.
Just random thoughts…
Cliff
I think I’ve seen it on industrial cars. They have buffers to take up the slack action.
To easily model you could use link-and-pin pockets with your three large links.
Like the British bumpers?
Yes yes yes yes yes yes. Is that 20?