I am interested into Hornby class 50, class 31 and class 56 diesel locos. I hesitate to buy any because I can remember reports that there are issues with the couplers. The couplers are mounted in a different way to the couplers of Bachmann diesel locos and in tight curves the cars derail because of the way the couplers are fitted. Is this true for all the Hornby diesel locos? Or are these just silly rumors? I have radius 2, 3, 4 curves and setrack points. All my Bachmann rolling stock runs fine but I hesitate to buy Hornby diesel…
Maybe someone could advise?

Thomas

Thomas - have a look at Sol's post in the Bachmann section - in the "Queen Mary Brake Van" thread.  I think you'll find he's answered your problem.

I remember seeing on other forums problems with some Hornby diesels & couplings, I will see if I can find them.

This might help
Hornby class 56 & 60 tension lock couplings - Hornby - RMweb

Thanks a lot for the replies! IHaving read the threads I will think twice before ordering such a loco and better invest into more Bachmann.

Thomas

Thomas - it may not be just Hornby. Below is a photo of a new Heljan diesel I've just received in which you can see the different height between its coupling and that of a Bachmann Mk1 Coach.



I have two of these locos both of which are like this. Unfortunately the situation is made worse by the fact that the buffer beam (not the skirt which I have left off) forces the coupling down.

Les

Sorry I was impatient and pressed the send button twice.:oops:
Les

[user=18]Les[/user] wrote:

Sorry I was impatient and pressed the send button twice.:oops:
Les

I've deleted the duplicate post for you Les. :cheers

I thought there were standards that manufacturers were supposed to be following nowadays ………..:roll:

It's a real pain when you spend your hard earned cash on a loco that won't attach to your stock - come on Heljan, get your act together :twisted::twisted::twisted:

Thanks for the deletion Peter - it's saved my blushes. Need a drink now.:roll:

Les

[user=18]Les[/user] wrote:

Thanks for the deletion Peter - it's saved my blushes. Need a drink now.:roll:

I'll drink to that    

  :cheers   Les

Les, thanks a lot for the info, you have saved me a big dissapointment as I was going to order a Heljan Western because I think it looks great. But as I am not a skilled modeller who can rectify such troubles easily I will prefer to wait for the Dapol one and hope Dapol will do it better. As in Austria there are no shoüs stockking OO items I can not have a look at models before buying so such information is most valuable for me!

 

Thomas

Heljan couplers are a legend.  Not usually a good one.  The design of most locos has them fitted to a fairly flexible shaft which goes back some way under the frames.  Therefore they droop as shown and cannot be relied upon to keep a train together.  The hooks can also foul and strike point blades, level crossings and anything else you place in the "six foot" such as AWS ramps.

But there is a partial cure for many types and it's easy and cheap.

Heljan couplers are cranked.  That is not only do they droop but they "step down" part way along the shank which holds them in place.

If you obtain a supply of Bachmann straight couplers they will be found to fit perfectly as a replacement on most types (not class 35 as that has air tanks moulded onto the coupler and unfortunately is about the worst offender for droop as a result) and will sit rather closer to the height of your rolling stock couplers.

Most of my Heljan locos operate with Bachmann straight couplers without any problem at all.  Including "Westerns".

Thanks for that Rick, a handy hint :thumbs

Very useful tip Rick but I think there may still be an issue. The Bachmann straight couplers I can see have a dovetail fitting whereas the coupling I took off the loco, erego the pocket, is designed for those with a prong fitting. Do you have a part number? I think the Hornby ones have a prong fitting so perhaps Bachmann have changed their pockets.

Les

Try Bachmann item 36-053

Thanks, I'll get some whilst I'm in the UK next weekend.

In the meantime I found in my spares box what I think are Hornby  straight shank couplers and have plugged one of them in. The difference  is amazing (new photo below) so it probably means your tip will work  with them as well. Many thanks.:thumbs

Les