Originally Posted by: Marius in Africa

I found the article on Thomas’ blog very informative and finally I understand why some couplers give me so much hassles on my layout. The close couplers on passenger coaches result in a very realistic look in terms of the very small gap between the coaches.

But does this small gap still allow free movement around R1 curves o C-track? Do any member here have first-hand experience with these couplers on R1 curves?

If the coaches has a NEM-pocket and a guide mechanism you are fine (most coaches do). The purpose of the guide mechanism is to keep the couplers straight - even in very tight curves. I use the Roco close coupler between my coaches and they negotiate R1 just fine. It looks crappy while they do, but they get the job done. I tend not to use R1, but currently I have no choice (the table is too small ).

Your only potential problem is the accessories that you may have a long the track. There is no way a true to scale UIC coach will be able to pass a C-track mounted signal. The 1:100 coaches just barely does.

Funny enough, yesterday I wrote an article about tighter curves and coaches (true to scale and shortened versions), and the problems you may face (or at least need to think about when designing your layout). It visualizes some of the problems and might be of some use to you: http://www.bahnfan.net/post/2014/08/17/true-to-scale-coaches-vs-the-shorter-length-coaches

Originally Posted by: H0

The 1:100 coaches and the 282 mm coaches have trucks where the pivot point is not centred to reduce the space needed on the inside of the curves.

LOL. That is a clever idea! I expected the 282 mm coaches to have some changes made to them in order to get pass a signal. It does not matter to me how the model is technically designed. If it helps smooth the operation, I welcome it. I am more on the visual part which is also why 1:100 coaches are kind of off limit. But I am not sure about the 282 mm coaches. Some of them are quite nice IMO.