Kadee Coupler Heights for Sn3½ Scale

When WA modellers first started out in Sn½ scale, around 1980, we decided to stick to Kadee couplers mounted mounted at the standard HO scale height, even though the coupler height was lower than it should be for WAGR models (and also conveniently ignoring chopper couplers).

For most people, the HO height works and they are happy with it.  However, a few people, especially those modelling more modern locomotives and rollingstock, feel that the HO coupler height looks wrong and prefer to use the correct coupler height for S scale.  

The difference in height is 2.3 mm, i.e. 12.2 mm vs. 9.9 mm measured, as always, from rail level to the centre of the coupler itself.

One way to accommodate the different coupler heights, for example on a particular loco, is to make use of Kadee offset couplers, specifically the range of "overset" couplers.  

For a quick fix, substituting an overset coupler on a model designed for S scale coupler height should work reliably in most instances, provided trackwork is pretty good with no major ups and downs.  This is illustrated in the third part of the diagram below.

For a virtually perfect match, an overset coupler combined with a 1 mm packing piece does the trick.

Based on Kadee specifications, the head on the overset coupler is 1.25 mm lower compared to a normal centreset coupler.

By coincidence, the Kadee #206 coupler height gauge (i.e. the insulated one as recommended for DCC) is spot on for S scale coupler height if you place a piece of 1 mm styrene between the gauge and the top of the rails.

May Running Night 2019

Hey hey, you're in for a real treat this month as we not only have 1 but 2 videos of the Running Night to share. We had a good turn out this month with plenty of variety of trains which is usually the case of the last running night before the exhibition. With just 1 week to go until the annual exhibition, things are now coming together for the S scale SIG with trains being readied and signage being prepared for the show. I hope to see you there as I will be helping with Stuart Mackay's Watheroo layout for the Saturday and Sunday while on Monday I will be on the S Scale SIG Modeling desk. Please come say hi and have a chat as I am more than happy to talk to all the fellow modelers out there following this blog. 

Stuart Mackay's, scratch-built ADE Governor railcar heading towards Perth, away from Swan View station.

Graham Watson's, Lynton Englund built, K class tank loco heads a short goods away from Swan View station towards Perth.

Graham Watson's, Lynton Englund built, K class tank loco heads a short goods away from Swan View station towards Perth.

Ross Green's, X Class Models U class hauls a lengthy goods train into Swan View, headed to Perth.

Neil Blinco's, RailWest Y class (with sound) leads an unusual consist of ballast wagons and an MRWA Jv (built by Bill Gray) on the rear of the train.

The same train as above without the MRWA Jv and lead by a Lynton Englund built W class owned by Neil Blinco. 

May Meeting 2019

Hey hey, last night's meeting was a little different as this is the last meeting before the AMRA WA Annual Exhibition which is held each year on the June long weekend. As Stuart Mackay will be displaying his layout 'Watheroo', it was decided to have a bit of a round up of rollingstock of the MRWA which could potentially be displayed on the exhibition long weekend. This was combined with the usual 'Bring 'n' Show' part of the meeting.

Stuart Mackay's A class number 24 built from an X class Models kit.

Stuart Mackay's A24 and a rake of blue/grey wagons.

Greg Aitken's X class Models A24 amongst a few of his wagons and carriages.

Greg Aitken's WAGR Midlander set.

A mixed train built by Kieran Wright.

Neil Blinco's MRWA train complete with FA van, JV Sleeper and J class dog box carriage.

Bill Gray's JV33 amongst other MRWA wagons.

Bill Gray's modified WestOz Models AZ kit which he converted to a MRWA JV33 much like the one at the RHWA museum.

Upon closer inspection of Bill Gray's JV33, you can identify the Tare weight details on the chassis of the coach.

John Hatch's latest project is this early era RailWest Models G class kit which he plans to include DCC and a Keep Alive.

Alison Kelly's DB Locomotive Hollywood Foundry chassis she displayed for people to get a better look at whilst it currently has a ViTrains mech under it.

The main theme of the meeting was advertising wagons of the WAGR (of which there were a few) followed by slides of the real wagons which always encourages good discussion. I have deliberately left them un-captioned so as not to incorrectly credit the wrong person for their work. Hopefully we will see more and more of these colourful wagons on trains in years to come.

East Guildford Exhibition Layout Update 02/19

Hey hey, another milestone has been reached in the build of the new East Guildford Exhibition layout. 4 Modules have now been completed to the stage of being ready for making out track and scenery. These modules make up the first part of the scale layout stretching from East St (which is now the Great Eastern Hwy level crossing), almost through to Meadow St. This layout is scale and no compression has compromised this project in anyway allowing for scale length trains to run through the scenery. To get an idea of the length of this monster layout, below are a couple of images of the first 4 modules.

So far this only reaches the start of the mill sidings of which allowance has been made to include large radius points. Micro Engineering On30 weathered track will also be used with trimmed sleepers to give the right effect of 3'6" gauge track. A double slip point will be included as opposed to the single slip point used on the prototype to allow for greater flexibility in operation. Roger Palmer has generously accepted the challenge of building the oddly shaped low relief mill to be included on the non-viewing side of the layout and act as the back scene.

There is still quite some way to go but if you want to get a better look at this layout, it will be on display at this year's Annual Model Railway Exhibition on the June long weekend (http://www.amra-wa-branch.asn.au/calendar/model-railway-exhibition/). Members of the group will be working on the layout so you can get up close and see the processes of how a layout is made and the effort put in by the club's members.

Finishing off this post, I leave you with a couple more images of the area being modeled with thanks to Rail Heritage WA's archive (http://www.railheritagewa.org.au/archive_scans/displayimage.php?album=search&cat=0&pid=9496#top_display_media). If you happen to have any photos of the East Guildford area surrounding the station during the late 50's to early 60's period, please send them through to us as they would help immensely with the construction of buildings and scenery.

A full view of the layout completed so far showing 4 modules with legs ready for finishing and scenery.

Trevor Bourke hard at work on the 4th module of the new layout. (Photo courtesy of Murray Hartzer)

ADG/ADH type railcar makes a stop at East Guildford during the period where the station was modified for the standard gauge project. (Image courtesy of Rail Heritage WA)

A close up look at the flower mill at East Guildford showing the inside of the loading/unloading dock. Of interest to note is the angle of the roof facade that follows the alignment of the track at the top right of the photo. (Image courtesy of Rail Heritage WA)