Managed to close-couple my beautiful Bachmann 57 ft coaches, whicha have their couplings screwed on rather than integrated with their bogeys (unlike their Mainline predecessors): I substituted one of the original couplings with a short Bachmann mini type and the result is most satisfying (two minis produce perfect gangway to gangway fit, but cannot handle my curves). The short minis are glued against the stops holding the original couplings in place, so that they do not slide forward without exerting any pressure on the assembly
  
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For the Thomposons I use them mixed with Bulleids and the result is similarly satisfying:sons I simply trimmed a couple of millimitres off the back end of the plate at the other end of the coupling, bored a new hole, and bingo! I mix them with Bachmann Bulleids

   

Since I´m at it, here are my beloved suburban clerestory by Hornby (with interiors hand made by a resourceful and grateful friend), close-coupled with the Keene gadgets (the plates must be carefully trimmed at the sides so that they fit without impeding swivelling. The result is spectacular, especially when compared to the unseemingly chasm imposed by the original "crossbows":
  

Very simple solutions indeed. What exactly is this Keene gadget? I'm particularly interested in that since I have a pair of suburban coaches I'm building that it would be good to have close-coupled.

It´s a very ingenious and easy to fit closecpi`ling system. It consists of three pieces: a base that is fitted to the frame (I have had to trim it for my Hornby clrestory suburban coaches)): this base holds the coupling "tongue" that is stuck out on curves (pretty much like the close coupling mountings in the newer Hornby and Bachmann Gresleys, Pullmans, etc.); and the coupler proper, the latest version whereof resembles an American "knuckle". It requires some filing. In order to achieve the exact bumper-to-bumper or gangway.to.gangay coupling, the coaches are placed wheels up, the coupling pair are then glued to their respective tongues… and voilà!!! I found this system in eBay,

cheers!

Hi Sergio,

How about a bit more detail on the gangways? Original or add-on? Keen floating plates?

I'll second Sergio on the Keen coupling mechanism - it's a nice alternative for close coupling on tight curves. Keen Systems Home

Nigel

I can confirm that the Keen system is excellent I have used it on some Dapol coaches, the only thing that was a bit awkward was cutting the bogies to clear the couplings after doing a couple it got easier, I will take some pics to show what I mean.


Pete.