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Writer Dennis From Alaska
City, Country Girdwood
State/Prov AK
Scale N
KeyWord RapidoBlues

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The Rapido Blues As Seen In The May/June Issue

Our URL http://nscalemagazine.com

Summary

Do you hate the Rapido type couplers as much as I do. Well, here is a fix you might like. Come have a look.

AS SEEN IN THE MAY/JUNE 2004 ISSUE OF N-SCALE MAGAZINE

For all of you folks that are like me and have poor service from “Rapido” type couplers, I have found an answer. I model N Scale and for some time I have been changing my collection over to “knuckle” type couplers. Unfortunately, some units don’t lend themselves well for easy conversion.

What I have been working on is a simple little clip that fits over the joined “Rapido” couplers that holds them together. They are easy to make from some soft metal flat stock (I used brass stock, but other would work), which you can find at most every local hobby shop.

To start, round one end of the 3/8in. stock with a Drummel tool or a file, cut the stock about 5/8 in. to 3/4in. long, and round the other end. Take your “needle nose” pliers and bend this piece into a “U” shape.

Now comes the hard part, (if any part is hard) fitting the clip to the couplers. You need to squeeze lightly on the clip until you have the tension needed to hold it in place without closing it so much you can’t get it on. The first time you put the clip on might take some practice.

Don’t like the color??? No problem, just paint it black. I find it much easier to put on and take off the clip when the train is on a curved area of track using long needle nose pliers. Be careful to not damage the couplers by using too much pressure. If you want a more permanent installation (like an A-B power unit set) just make the clip a bit longer and squeeze down the overhanging ends. That’s It! Until all rolling stock comes installed with knuckle couplers, we will just have to keep finding ways to keep the trains rolling.

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