EFE RAIL tubestock auto-coupling

I have been modelling the "LONDON TRANSPORT" scene in 4mm OO gauge for many years and over this time have accumulated quite a number of LT models, from the original un-powered EFE tubestock to the new Bachmann/EFE RAIL powered versions, as well as the Heljan Met Electric locos launched a few years ago. Although there have been many layouts featuring tubestock since the Bachmann/EFE RAIL models were launched, I have never seen any that feature auto-coupling between two 4-car sets or to a battery loco at each end.  As I want to build a new London Transport Depot as a feature of my model railway, the one thing I don't want is to have to use 12-inch to the foot devices to do the coupling ~ it spoils the illusion somewhat!


What I would like to do is to use an auto-coupling (kaydee?) at tube height on the outer ends of the driving cars of the original EFE un-powered 1938 tubestock and connect to a barrier wagon (LT guards van possibly) with a normal height coupler on the other end so that it could be towed by an LT battery loco or the Heljan Met Electric locos


Has anyone already done something like this, as I don't want to start reinventing the wheel again!

Any serious suggestion or comments would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Hi,

I can't help you with the coupling issues, but I would like very much to see some pictures of your layout. It sounds very interesting.

Cheers,
Claus

Nothing that I have seen.

I appreciate the desire to operate with automated couplers.  Bear in mind that LT used more than one coupling system and of course had two coupler heights.  Manual coupling was required in some cases or use of an adaptor in others.

A handful of service stock wagons were fitted with dual-height couplers to act as barrier vehicles as was electric locomotive L11 within Acton Works.

The 1962 stock was the first to be fitted with auto-couplers on all driving motor cars as all units were identical.  The earlier 1959, 1956 and 1938 stocks were "handed" meaning the "A" and "D" ends differed; it was only possible to couple an A to a D not an A to A / D to D when in service.  Cars which normally ran in the middle of the train were auto-coupled; those at the outer ends would require manual coupling or an adaptor.

For modelling purposes it should be possible to fit a suitable close-coupler which can be activated without the "hand of God" reaching over the layout.  Given the clearance involved had you considered the standard N-gauge coupler which can be parted by means of a small ramp.  LT had all sorts of clutter between the rails which might serve for modelling purposes as such a device.

Jeff (SRman of this parish) might be able to offer more constructve advice.

 

I haven't actually done an adapter/barrier vehicle, but what I did for the internal couplings on a motorised original EFE set of tube stock would work for the lower coupling at the outer end. My solution involves using Kadees with the dropper arms cut off completely, but with a little experimentation, you could cut them short and bend them to operate automatically at the lower height, but the clearances below the couplings are very tight, so it may not be possible to do this.

The couplings are formed as a hybrid of the original EFE and parts of the Kadee box types like #5s (smaller versions would work too). I have swapped all of the non-powered bogies for MetroModels' pin-point ones, using the original EFE sideframes as overlays. The power bogie on my conversion is a Black Beetle, but if you are modelling a unit being hauled, it may be better to leave it unpowered. I used the Kadee boxes without the flat bottom parts, and prefer the whisker type couplings as they are easier to deal with rather than the tiny little springs that litter my carpet from using the other types elsewhere. A self-tapping screw (often from the securing screws used by Oxford Diecast to keep their cars in the packaging) holds it all together. Cutting the dropper arms off means that coupling is easy, but uncoupling involves manually lifting one vehicle over the other - not really a problem within a fixed formation unit, but may be a sticking point if you want to auto uncouple the barrier vehicles when shunting.

Hopefully these photos will show things far better than my attempts to describe them in text alone.







 

Jeff, thank you so much for your explanation and the pictures which are worth a thousand words!

All my un-powered original EFE tubestock still has the original bogies but without the springs. But I also changed the wheelsets and fitted 12mm dia wheels in order to clear the centre negative rail on my layout which is 1mm ABOVE running rail (ie similar to the 3" difference on the proper LT railway. I'll have a look when I can to see how I can use your ideas in conjunction with one of the Bachmann LT Guards Vans as a barrier vehicle and will report back in due course.

Thanks again Jeff, very much appreciated.