Hi John,all,
The Telex couplers should work with close couplers,...

They do work with the cose couplers, but there can be problems. The hook on the Telex is slightly more upright than normal to allow for the uncoupling action, so coupling can be a bit of a nightmare. Bending it just a couple of degrees, to more of a slope, can sort that problem but you can then have problems coupling/uncoupling as the loop on the close coupler is shorter than NEM standard (makes it closer).
I have also found that there is quite a height difference between couplers mounted in standard boxes (normal or close) which can droop slightly and the Telex coupling which is firmly fixed at the correct height. Again this can lead to the hoop on the wagon/coach hitting the face of the Telex coupling and not rising up to hook over it.

There is also an older Telex couplers, with side guides, giving better operation in curvers, especielly when pushing. But these guides don't fit to close couplers; I hade to replace my couplers of my 1960 3031 loco.

Regards,
Lars

Good luck with the storm, I only ever got into one of those when in Florida in the '90s.

With the couplers it just takes time to get everything aligned right. However, as the locos with telex have no close coupling mechanism it is far better to persevere with the close couplers to get rid of part of the gap than to resort to the longer (but easier) relex ones.

I all,

We only got the edge of the hurricane, and no houses or cars were damaged in our neighbourhood. We did loose power about 30 mins after my previous message until some time early morning. So no power for 2.5 days, some serious withdrawal symptoms from the train set and the usual internet train sites.

Kimmo, thanks for pointing me to the reviews. I have generally just looked at the latest and had forgot the archive section. When I get one of these I will definately add some insulated weight. And Chris, I will take your advice and stick with the close couplers, the realism is worht some teething troubles.

John

John

Hi Jay,

Thanks for your suggestion. As usual, I have a few questions.

I have the Fleischmann catalog but I could not determine if these couplers are Telex compatable. If not I have to use an uncoupling track, sothe Marklin uncoupler will work on these couplers?

One of the features Fleischmann discuss is the preuncoupling. I see the advantages for shunting, but how do you couple back up again? Is the coupling speed regulated?

Do coaches appear as close with Fleischmann or are they closer? Will I get the same results retro-fitting these couplings onto existing Marklins, or should it be a Fleischmann wagon to start with?

Thanks.

John

Hi Lars,

Yes I have some older wagons and coaches that are not at all compatible with Marklin cc. I was asking about adapters in a previous thread, Kevin put me onto a brand but I could not find them on the website he sent me to. So when Jay recommended the Fleischamann I checked their catalog and found they have an adapter I can model onto the older rolling stock, at least for coaches.

From the pictures the Roco close-coupler is very similar to the Fleischmann, the linkages are in a horizontal plane as opposed to the Marklin cc and roco universal coupling where the linkages need a vertical plane of movement to engage/uncouple.

Telex seems to require vertical movement so I would not expect it to be compatible with either the Fleischmann profi or the Roco close-couplers.

I will probably buy some of the Roco and Fleischmann and give them a try, the prices are not a problem (Roco about 15 Euro or Fleischmann 25 Euro for 50). I will also get the uncoupling track (do I need to buy a control box 7270 to control this accessory?) but I will put the Telex on hold until I decide on which coupling system I prefer. As you said the uncoupler track may be all I need. And I can have a lot of fun figuring out the answer to that question.

Thanks everyone for the very helpful advice and discussion.

John

Hi Lars,
Thanks for the 3 steps, now I really understand. Your english is not a problem at all, but I'm sure you've been told that many times. With language the hardest part is the jargon, my understanding of a phrase may different to someone elses understanding. And with my lack of experience in model trains, I think I am usually misrepresenting my question. So your summary was very helpful in letting me know that I understand. Thanks again.

John

Yes Kimmo, they don't stay 'up' but they stay 'open'. The thing is the little tongue at the RELEX coupler, and the CC, that rests on the hook. When two cars are pushed togheter the loop lifts this tongue, and sets itsekf around the hook, the coupler engage. The uncoupler track when activated, pushes the loops up, but the tongues fall down again on the hook. When disactivated the loop falls upon the tongue, but not under it. This is the state I call open; disenganged might be more proper wording. If you have really old stock this tongue is missing; then it doesn't work.
That coupler was just called automatic coupler. Shunting is fun!!!

Regards,
Lars Westerlind.

The question is good, because - it does always work between two cars as these normally have RELEX or CC, but never if one participcate have a hook or TELEX!!! Which is not uncommon for smaller locos. With one automatic coupler and one RELEX in fact you have 50 % chance; if the loop of the automatic is under the loop of the RELEX, it lays on the tongue and the coupler remains open. In the other case the loop of the RELEX lies around the hook of the automatic coupler, and the coupler is engaged.

/Lars