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?
Micheal, I designed and 3D printed these 3 link couplings for my Thomas and Friends stock. I used one between Henrietta and a string of flat beds at the show ver the weekend. No issues on a 12 minute loop of the layout. But, it’s a lot safer, I’d think, to take craft wire and bend it into links, which I’ve also done.
Edit: The biggest issue with these is that with British stock, the two outside buffers bind up when reversing on sharp curves,
John;
The prototype of link style you show had a threaded rod joining the two links. The rod allowed the links to snug the two cars buffer to buffer. The springs in the buffers helped eliminate slack action for a smoother ride. The same could be done in large scale, but those details would be a bear to deal with.
Best, David Meashey
P.S. In the movie The Train starring Burt Lancaster, that operation is done frequently. It always looked pretty scarry to me when the trainmen stood between two wagons (cars) and let the buffers keep them from being squashed while they coupled up!
I thought Michael was describing a literal 3-link chain though?
Cliff;
Passenger stock and valuable goods (freight) stock used the tighten-able threaded rod. Mineral (coal, aggregates, ore) or stock loaded with freight that could survive a rough ride used the three link coupling. Sometimes the middle link was constricted at one end to allow some tensioning of the coupling.
Regards, David Meashey
Thanks Dave. And yes, it was some sort of ore car drawing that I saw it being used on, but can’t yet recall where.
Thanks Guys,
Yes, we had buffers on all our locos and wagons and I get that nobody would actually like to ride a passenger train linked that way.
Thanks John for answering the strength question. Anyone have thoughts on the operational pros/cons question?
I believe that British coaches (in the old days, when they had buffers,) were tightly coupled with the threaded rod type of link, and the buffers were oval, to avoid the locking, even on the prototype. They had a dollop of thick grease in the middle!
I made up a train of ‘Thomas’ freights with 3-link couplers that are sprung, so when the loco takes off the bump together. Lots of fun. I got the 3-link couplers from GRS-UK.
