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MoPac1
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 Posted - 10/31/2009 : 13:36:33
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Well...I received my Sergeants today...and I was very impressed with their packaging...and they included a free wand...since I neglected to order one...THANKS, SARGE!!...
The couplers I bought are the compatible shank-assembled...and they are very nicely accomplished. They are REALLY small, compared to the ubiquitous number fives...the "scale" head Kadee is closer in size...but still a bit larger.
I've tested them over and over again...no failures...they work perfectly. So far, I have tested them on a Pecos River Brass Caboose...and an Athearn PS 5344 box with Detail's West Coupler pocket installed. They look great in the DW car...but I think they would look even better on a custom built locomotive!
They really bring out the lack of detail, however, on average cars that just have a simple draft gear box and lid w/screw, IMO.
That's the one thing that I would be a little worried about...the slippery slope of details...and draft gear boxes...that's the one thing about these that I can't get away from...especially after seeing them in person now.
With that said...I could see me gradually switching over to these...provided I could recover some costs out of my Kadees...since I'd have a boat load.
As it is right now...I am definitely going to get a few more packs...and install them on my custom RPM builds for pictures...I'm going to take some pix of them tonight and I'll add them to the post.
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Tom Austin
Centralia IL
www.joppasub.com |
Country: USA
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sfeforever
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CIOR
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Posted - 10/31/2009 : 16:10:52
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Tom, good to hear. They are very addictive and add so much to the model itself!
I'm waiting on my latest order, it shipped, should be here Monday.
I bought the new F's (post 75 version) for a few trials and even the narrow shank.
Did you get any of the narrow shanks?
I did, had to for the Kadee cars I have.
Matt
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The C&O of Indiana
http://candoindiana.com
The Central Indiana & Ohio Railroad
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Edited by - CIOR on 10/31/2009 16:11:09 |
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BCBOB
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Posted - 10/31/2009 : 17:01:46
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Has anybody tried these on a modular layout with its many joints and alignment problems?
I run only on a modular layout and if they give problems staying coupled I would not use them, regardless of looks.
Bob
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MoPac1
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Posted - 10/31/2009 : 17:21:11
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quote:
Originally posted by BCBOB
Has anybody tried these on a modular layout with its many joints and alignment problems?
I run only on a modular layout and if they give problems staying coupled I would not use them, regardless of looks.
Bob
Nope...not yet...They stay coupled together pretty well, at least so far. They are metal as well...so they seem pretty strong.
I don't know if I'll switch over...I want to test them on the helix first.
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Tom Austin
Centralia IL
www.joppasub.com |
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MoPac1
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Posted - 10/31/2009 : 17:22:47
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quote:
Originally posted by CIOR
Tom, good to hear. They are very addictive and add so much to the model itself!
I'm waiting on my latest order, it shipped, should be here Monday.
I bought the new F's (post 75 version) for a few trials and even the narrow shank.
Did you get any of the narrow shanks?
I did, had to for the Kadee cars I have.
Matt
Nope...not yet...but I did install these in an Exactrail car...with air hose...a DRGW Tunnel Motor...and the caboose...for testing.
Very impressive looking on the Exactrail car, for sure...especially with the air hose.
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Tom Austin
Centralia IL
www.joppasub.com |
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red P
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CIOR
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Posted - 10/31/2009 : 18:23:08
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quote:
Originally posted by BCBOB
Has anybody tried these on a modular layout with its many joints and alignment problems?
I run only on a modular layout and if they give problems staying coupled I would not use them, regardless of looks.
Bob
Bob to be honest they are so tight in their coupling I don't see much movement over joints. I don't have any issues over all on even the longer 89' cars I have. I figured that any up and down moves would show in these couplers and I didn't notice any at that time.
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The C&O of Indiana
http://candoindiana.com
The Central Indiana & Ohio Railroad
http://www.trainweb.org/cior
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MoPac1
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Posted - 10/31/2009 : 18:29:03
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quote:
Originally posted by red P
Another Sergent thread......LOL.
Im just waiting for the Kadee fan club to throw a hissy, like they did last time.
P
I'm still a Kadee fan, personally...But these are very NICE. I can see challenges to both retro-fitting...with costs...and on my double decked layout...switching on the upper level...where the height is at premium...will require more skill.
The other thing of concern is strength...they seem to be very strong as I tested them...but will they hold up to running a 40 car train loaded with 3-4 engines...up a helix? The helix is 32" radius...
I'm going to test them a bit...I'm also curious about downgrade through the helix...with the train pushing hard on the head end.
I'm going to stick with Kadees at present...but I'm going to test these little guys, too. They are indeed a true scale coupler.
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Tom Austin
Centralia IL
www.joppasub.com |
Edited by - MoPac1 on 10/31/2009 22:22:50 |
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Rusty
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Posted - 10/31/2009 : 19:30:20
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quote:
Originally posted by red P
Another Sergent thread......LOL.
Im just waiting for the Kadee fan club to throw a hissy, like they did last time.
P
Why don't you just "Butt out" if you don't like them?
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AustralianTerrier
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Posted - 10/31/2009 : 21:52:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Rusty
quote:
Originally posted by red P
Another Sergent thread......LOL.
Im just waiting for the Kadee fan club to throw a hissy, like they did last time.
P
Why don't you just "Butt out" if you don't like them?
Rusty, Rusty my boy.......
That salvo was not aimed at the people that LIKE Sergent couplers. It was aimed at the people in the Kadee contingent.
To some, like Red P, those of us that either still use or like Kadee couplers must be a bunch of talentless bufoons that still think Athearn blue box is state of art.(see last thread) Also, the people that have a fleet of rolling stock with Kadees are "elitist".(see last thread) Oh and opertions with Sergent couplers are much more prototypical than anything you can ever accomplish with a Kadee.(see last thread)
That pretty much sums it up. Since I still use Kadees, I'll go play with my Athearn blue box and Tyco, since I am must be a total ignoramuses.
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Jim
The Milwaukee Road 1965-May 1, 1971 when passenger service ended
"Man's got to know his limitations".....and I have lots of limitations
http://dieseldetailer.proboards.com/index.cgi |
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MoPac1
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Posted - 10/31/2009 : 22:27:14
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quote:
Originally posted by AustralianTerrier
quote:
Originally posted by Rusty
quote:
Originally posted by red P
Another Sergent thread......LOL.
Im just waiting for the Kadee fan club to throw a hissy, like they did last time.
P
Why don't you just "Butt out" if you don't like them?
Rusty, Rusty my boy.......
That salvo was not aimed at the people that LIKE Sergent couplers. It was aimed at the people in the Kadee contingent.
To some, like Red P, those of us that either still use or like Kadee couplers must be a bunch of talentless bufoons that still think Athearn blue box is state of art.(see last thread) Also, the people that have a fleet of rolling stock with Kadees are "elitist".(see last thread) Oh and opertions with Sergent couplers are much more prototypical than anything you can ever accomplish with a Kadee.(see last thread)
That pretty much sums it up. Since I still use Kadees, I'll go play with my Athearn blue box and Tyco, since I am must be a total ignoramuses.
Jim:
These look and operate like the real thing...but there are limitations. Price is the first and most important thing to me...If I were going to do some drastic downsizing...and model a branch, for instance...I might be interested in switching over right now.
But, I'm not going to just get rid of 25 years of reliability overnight...my Kadees work perfectly...and I'm just testing the waters.
All the other zealousness is not part of my equation, that's for sure. I'm just kicking the tires here. Don't get too uptight about someone flaming away.
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Tom Austin
Centralia IL
www.joppasub.com |
Edited by - MoPac1 on 10/31/2009 22:27:46 |
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MONONC420
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Posted - 10/31/2009 : 23:15:24
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Tom, I used them once at CIOR's place, and I was convinced. I've been gradually switching over. I like to save my money and drop about $140 or so everytime I get them. Ive been selling my kadees and have been getting a little above 50% for them, not great, but better than nothing. They are awesome! It felt really strange using kadees at my club tonight.
Christian
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Modeling the Central Railway of Indianapolis Circa. 1996-1998
 
"Central!" |
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carrman
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Posted - 11/01/2009 : 00:09:33
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quote:
Originally posted by red P
Another Sergent thread......LOL.
Im just waiting for the Kadee fan club to throw a hissy, like they did last time.
P
This comment was probably uneeded after the blood letting in the last thread.
Dave
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rdc_jay
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Posted - 11/01/2009 : 07:21:52
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Yes, let's see if we can keep this thread from circling the drain guys. Check your chips at the door please.
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red P
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Posted - 11/01/2009 : 07:55:24
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quote:
Originally posted by carrman
quote:
Originally posted by red P
Another Sergent thread......LOL.
Im just waiting for the Kadee fan club to throw a hissy, like they did last time.
P
This comment was probably uneeded after the blood letting in the last thread.
Dave
yes, your right. my bad
P
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