Wheels and Couplings

The bearing reamer set contains two reamers designed to clean up the moulded plastic bearing holes of RTR coaches and wagons and older kits with moulded plastic bearings. Fitting between the bearing sockets in place of the axle finger pressure can be applied to turn the reamer and cut a clean tapered bearing for pin-point axles. This cleans out any accumulated dirt/debris and corrects any faults with the moulded profile.
The reamers can also be used to make the bearing holes deeper, for example to allow standard length axles with recent finer-scale wheels to be fitted to Lima rolling stock and dealing with any 'tight' axles.

14.85mm OO gauge back to back gauge.
Back-to-back gauges are used to check that the wheels are correctly spaced apart. Adjust your wheels to the correct gauge settings for reliable operation though points.
14.85mm back-to-back is used for finescale OO modelling and is especially useful for setting wheels on kit-built rolling stock and when using scale type three-link couplings. This gauge has been designed for use with NMRA RP-25-88 0.088in tread width wheels.
Wheels set too wide or too narrow will not run through points properly and can derail on plain track. The back-to-back gauge sits between the wheels, which should fit against each face when correctly gauged for OO/HO 16.5mm gauge track.

Pack of 10 axles

Split spoke wagon wheels were commonly used under railway wagons in the pre-grouping era and continued to be the usual type of wheels fitted to private owner coal wagons until the 1930s.While the railway companies preferred to use cast steel solid spoke and later spun steel disc wheels the large number of private owner wagons, mostly built with split-spoke wheels, meant that these 'old time' wheels were still in use until the old wood-frame coal wagons were replaced in the 1950s. Even then due to the standardisation of wheels and axles old but servicable split-spoke wheels would be re-used, even be seen under new BR-built wagons.

Brass Turned Wagon Disc Brake Wheels (10)

Pack of 10 axles with spoked metal wheels
Spoked wheels were the most commonly used type of wagon wheel throughout the steam era and examples of wagons with spoked wheels survived until the last of the traditional short 10/12-ton wagons were withdrawn around 1980.

Pack of 10 axles with 12.6mm diameter disc wheels.

These wheelsets are ideal for post-1965 BR passenger coaches fitted with roller bearing trucks which allowed the smaller and lighter wheels to be used.

Pack of 10 axles with 3-hole disc wheels
The distinctive 3-hole wagon wheel was first produced in the 1930s and steadily took over from previous spoked wheel styles for new production. These wheels were standard on all BR-built wagons.

14.1mm metal disc wheels as fitted to passenger coaches. Pack of 10 axles.
Passenger coaches were fitted with larger diameter wheels until the introduction of roller bearings in the 1960s. Use these wheels with pre-BR and most BR Mk.1 coaches.

14.1mm metal disc wheels with 4 small holes, as fitted to passenger coaches. Pack of 10 axles.
Passenger coaches were fitted with larger diameter wheels until the introduction of roller bearings in the 1960s. Use these wheels with pre-BR and most BR Mk.1 coaches.

14.1mm metal disc wheels with 2 small holes, as fitted to passenger coaches. Pack of 10 axles.

Passenger coaches were fitted with larger diameter wheels until the introduction of roller bearings in the 1960s. Use these wheels with pre-BR and most BR Mk.1 coaches.

Pack of 10 couplings with cranked connection for NEM coupler pockets.

Wide coupler loops with NEM mouting fitting.

Please note that no hooks are supplied with these couplers.

A pack of 4 bar couplings as used between coaches in Bachmann Voyager trains.

Double-ended fixed drawbars as used between the Bachmann intermodal twin wagons.

Spare drawbars for the Bachmann Branchline OO class 150 model.

Long length version of the Bachmann NEM cranked couplers used on wagons with the NEM pockets mounted directly below the floor, placing them too high for normal coupling.
The long length version is useful for wagons with recessed coupler pockets and for long wagons needing extra end clearance to negotiate curves without buffer-locking.

Pack of 10 couplings.

Hornby narrow width tension-lock coupler for NEM mounting pocket.
Supplied in packs of 10.
Coupler width approx 7mm/¼in.

Hornbys' medium width tension lock coupling unit with NEM clip fitting.
Approx 12mm / 1/2in coupler width.

This wide tension lock coupling for the NEM coupler fitting will be a useful addition to the range of coupler options. This coupler should be used with long locomotives and coaches on sharp radius curves to improve the reliability of coupling.
Coupler width approx 17mm/¾in

A pack of 10 sets of 3 link couplings with etched brass hooks. Springs are supplied to allow the coupler drawbar to be sprung if required.

Four pairs of 3-link couplings with etched brass coupling hooks and individual pre-formed links.
This pack will allow four vehicles to be equipped with usable 3-link type couplings.
Assembly required.

For pairs of instanter type 3-link couplings with etched hooks and individual pre-formed links.
Assembly required.

Four pairs of short length 3-link couplings with etched brass coupling hooks and individual pre-formed links.
This pack will allow four vehicles to be equipped with usable 3-link type couplings. The shorter links provide for closer coupling of wagons.
Note use of the short couplings will reduce the minimum radius wagons will traverse when coupled.

Pack of four No.17 couplers with short length shank measuring 7.11mm between the shoulder 'stop' on shank which fits against the NEM pocket to the pulling face inside the coupler knuckle.

No.17 couplers are usually too short for fitting to British and European outline models with side buffers, but can be used on stock with centre drawgear only and not having side buffers.
This includes most modern multiple-unit trains and an increasing number of goods wagon types designed for unit train operation. The equipping of class 66 locomotives with knuckle couplers is reducing the need for 'outer' wagons with buffers at the end of a train.

Kadee metal knuckle coupler with NEM pocket mounting, as fitted to most current production European models, including Hornby and Bachmann.

Pack of four No.18 couplers with medium length shank measuring 11/32in or 8.63mm.
Measurement from shoulder 'stop' on shank which fits against the NEM pocket to the pulling face of the coupler.

We normally advise the No.19 coupler as the most suitable for general use the No. 18 couplers can be used as an alternative on many models when running on broad curves eg. No.4 radius (22in) or greater.
The No.18 offers a shorter, neater appearance for locomotives, especially those with sprung buffers which will allow a little extra clearance. Always double check the coupler installation provides sufficient slack on your sharpest radius curve to ensure trouble-free operations.

Kadee metal knuckle coupler with NEM pocket mounting, as fitted to most current production European models, including Hornby and Bachmann.

Pack of four No.19 couplers with long length shank measuring 27/64in or 10.61mm.
The 19 is the couple most frequently required for British OO models, placing the rear inside face of the coupler knuckle in line with the buffer heads. This position will allow many models to run on track curve radii down to No.4 (22in) and usually No.3. For radii less than No.4 / 22in and on vehicles with recessed NEM pockets the no.20 coupler may be required.
Always double check your coupler installation by testing on your sharpest radius curve to ensure there is sufficient slack to ensure trouble-free operations.

The 40 series Kadee metal knuckle couplers are supplied with draft boxes ready for installation beneath the floor of any model not equiped with NEM coupler pockets. A height gauge (Kadee 206) is recommended to ensure the correct mounitng height is achieved.

The No.146 couplers with a centre-set shank will often place the drawbar at the correct height with the draft box attached directly below the headstock/bufferbeam of British OO models. The new design 146 couplers have integral 'whisker' type centring springs, replacing the separate centreing spring of the earlier Kadee design No.46 coupler.
Pack of 4 couplers.

Kadee 156 couplers feature a smaller size of coupler knuckle head, closer to the scale size of a US railroad coupler knuckle in HO scale. The British 'Buckeye' knuckle coupler is smaller than the modern US size, so the introduction of this long length coupler with a smaller head is particularly useful.

Using the long length couplers allows the coupler box to be mounted under the headstock of British outline rolling stock and bring the knuckle head out to the line of the buffers.

The 156 coupler uses integral whisker springs for centring, simplifying the assembly of coupler mounting boxes. The new snap together design plastic coupler mounting box is supplied.
Use of the height gauge (Kadee 206) is strongly recommended to ensure the correct mounting height is achieved consistantly, there being less tolerance for variation when using the smaller knuckles.

Pack of 4 couplers, sufficient for 2 vehicles.

A pair of Kadee magnetic uncoupler magnets. These magnets are fitted between the rails such that the trip pins of the couplers are attracted outwards.
Designed for use with code 100 track, eg Peco Setrack and SL100 Streamline flexitrack.

When the couplers are slackened the knuckles will open allowing the couplers to be parted. Then the Kadee magic comes into play, as the couplers will go into a coupling delay position, a tongue fitted to each each coupler prevents the knuckels from re-engaging and the train can be propelled clear of the magnet. Only when the train is finally separated do the knuckles recentre ready for coupling again.

Magnetically operated version of Peco's Simplex knuckle cpupler design. This Mk.3 coupler allows mangetic remote uncoupling.

For R18 axles

Pack of 10 couplings.

Bachmann mark 2 narrow width tension lock coupling with NEM fitting.
These straight shaft couplers fit NEM pockets mounted at the correct height for NEM specification. For wagons with NEM pockets mounted directly below the floor you will need cranked couplers, 36-027

A Pack of 10 cranked shank design couplers as used between cars of the bachmann DMU trains.

Bachmanns' coach drawbar coupler with vacuum and steam heating pipes. This drawbar allows coaches to be realistically close coupled in fixed sets.

Drawbars have NEM coupler fittings. Ideal for use with most current Bachmann coaches and many recent new coaches from Hornby.

Peco's original metal Simplex knuckle style coupler design.

10.5mm diameter wheelsets produced by Walthers as 36in diameter wheels in HO used under American passenger cars these wheelsets are the correct size for British OO 2'6" - 2'9" wheelssets used under many low floor wagons such as LOWMAC machinery trucks. These can also be used as replacement wheels for European rolling stock using 1 metre diameter wheels and for wagons with restricted underfloor clearances where the flanges of the standard 12mm diameter wheels the floor or underframe parts. If necessary ride height adjustments can be made with packers above bogie pivots or filling and re-drilling bearing holes (possibly a last resort!)

The 40 series Kadee metal knuckle couplers are supplied with draft boxes ready for installation beneath the floor of any model not equiped with NEM coupler pockets. A height gauge (Kadee 205) is recommended to ensure the correct mounting height is achieved.

No.49 couplers have an overset shank, placing the knuckle lower than the line of the draft box. Suitable for models with high set floors and where clearance is needed above bogies etc.
Pack of 4 couplers.

Pack of 10 Couplings

 Pack of 10 straight type DMU couplings, as used between the cars of the Bachmann DMU trains.

Pack of 10 NEM fitting short-length couplers.

Spare drawbars for the Bachmann Branchline OO class 411 4-CEP model.

Pack of 4 inter-car drawbars for the Bachmann class 350 and 416 Desiro type EMU trains.

Pack of 4 spare inter-car drawbars used for the Bachmann class 101 (Met Cam) DMU units.

Conversion clips for old Dapol Chassis and used in our OO Kits.

Pack of 10 Honby clip style close coupler pocket couplings with NEM attachment.These couplings are ideal for use with Hornby and Bachmann coaching stock fitted with extending couplers arms which increase the coupling spacing between coaches on curves

When coupled these couplings form a solid bar connecting the two coaches, helping to ensure the coupler arms return to the 'closed up' position on straight track.

These couplers will couple with the Roco close couplers. The Hornby units are slightly longer than the Roco versions, so coach spacings can be adjusted further using Roco and Hornby couplers to find optimum combinations for your layout.

The number 5 has long been the standard coupler for US outline HO rolling stock and can be used with many modern British outline goods wagons which do not have side buffers.

Pack contains 4 couplers with springs and draft boxes, sufficient to equip 2 wagons.

Kadee metal knuckle coupler with NEM pocket mounting, as fitted to most current production European models, including Hornby and Bachmann.

Pack of four No.20 couplers with extra-long length shank measuring 29/64in or 11.68mm.

The extra long shank is needed for some models with deeply recessed coupler pockets and may be required on long models to provide sufficent spacing between vehicles for reliable operation over Setrack curves.

The 40 series Kadee metal knuckle couplers are supplied with draft boxes ready for installation beneath the floor of any model not equiped with NEM coupler pockets. A height gauge (Kadee 205) is recommended to ensure the correct mounitng height is achieved.

No.141 couplers have an underset shank, placing the knuckle above the line of the draft box, suitable for models with low floors, deep buffer beams and for bogie-mounted couplers. This new design coupler features centering 'whiskers', simplifing assembly by eliminating the separate centering spring unit.
Pack of 4 couplers.

The number 5 has long been the standard coupler for US outline HO rolling stock. The 148 coupler is a direct equivilent of the no.5 but has integral centering 'whisker' springs in place of the separate centering spring plate.
Pack contains 4 couplers with draft boxes, sufficient to equip 2 wagons.

These metal couplers are the same size as the standard Kadee no.5, but fitted with integral whisker springs, ready for fitting into the coupler pockets of US freight cars. These couplers will also work as direct replacements for the couplers fitted to Bachmann On30 narrow gauge models.

Please note that coupler mounting pockets are NOT supplied with the bulk packs. A height gauge (Kadee 205 or 206) is recommended to ensure the correct mounting height is achieved.

These low-profile magnets are designed to fit better with track using code 83 and code 75 rail. The height of the magnet has been reduced, keeping the height above rail level similar to that achieved with a standard magnet in code 100 track.

When the couplers are slackened the knuckles will open allowing the couplers to be parted. Then the Kadee magic comes into play, as the couplers will go into a coupling delay position, a tongue fitted to each each coupler prevents the knuckels from re-engaging and the train can be propelled clear of the magnet. Only when the train is finally separated do the knuckles re-centre ready for coupling again.