Choppers

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 1:20 pm

I am considering converting to chopper couplings as they are more prototypicle, having carriages pulled by a 3 link chain is quite rare (although your all bound to correct me) so I bought two pairs of chopper couplings from Brandbright. I have heared mised reviews but what do you think about them? Also if I do get on well with them would anyone consider swapping a load of ip centre 3 link couplings for accucraft choppers?
Thanks

laalratty · Post by **laalratty** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:29 pm

Mr. Bond of the DVLR wrote: having carriages pulled by a 3 link chain is quite rare (although your all bound to correct me)

He he, can't resist, Welshpool and Llanfair Railway uses a similar system, and also the War Department wagons use 3 link chains, although often with a very short middle link
Personally I wouldn't go with choppers, as everyone seems to use 3 link and whenever i've tried it (such as my ebay L&B wagons) i've had problems, with occasional uncouplings for no apparant reason etc. With Accucraft ones it is also a very good idea to remove the springs, overwise they don't have enough throw over on track of 3 foot radius or less (making things tricky on Peco set-track!)

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:12 pm

Hmmm, I'll take the springs out and give em a trail sometime this week and see and get back to this one!

DLRdan · Post by **DLRdan** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:22 am

I have accucraft choppers fitted to all my larger stock and they work fine. However i would not recomend them for the larger coaches as they do not have the flexibility of chain

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:08 pm

Thats good, I've all 4 wheel stock!

Endless, Nameless · Post by **Endless, Nameless** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:27 pm

I've got a pair off an Edrig you are welcome to if you want. Well. I'll have a pair off an Edrig once I've taken them off said Edrig anyway.

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:19 pm

The offer is much appreciated! Square of round?

grumpfuttock · Post by **grumpfuttock** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:57 pm

Personally, I love chopper couplings. I started with 3 link buffer couplings way back in the 80's, but tried choppers and have never looked back.. Most of my stock has been converted to choppers (Accucraft and Tenmille). I have 7 Bachmann and 2 LGB G scale bogie coaches which are fitted with them (and sprung), and I have never had any problems, admittedly, my tightest curves are 4 ft radius. The height of the coupler needs to be pretty accurate to prevent uncoupling, and I must admit to the very occasional uncoupling for no apparent reason, mostly with Accucraft couplings.

I like shunting wagons etc. and found 3 link couplings to be a bit of fiddle. Also I encountered buffer locking when reversing on curves.

I remove the chopper from one end of each vehicle. They are easier to uncouple with just one chopper, especially vehicles fitted with Accucraft choppers couplings !

I use square and round, it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Endless, Nameless · Post by **Endless, Nameless** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:02 pm

Round. No idea where the choppy bits are at this moment in time- I took them off- but once they reappear and I can be bothered to get me nutspinners out I'll wing them your way.

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:55 pm

many thanks! much appreiceiated. If you want I can swap em for the 3 link couplings that I will be replacing, this offer stands to any one who wants to replace couplingas on accurcaft stock!

Hancockshire · Post by **Hancockshire** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:49 pm

Mr. Bond of the DVLR wrote:many thanks! much appreiceiated. If you want I can swap em for the 3 link couplings that I will be replacing, this offer stands to any one who wants to replace couplingas on accurcaft stock!

I need some for my Brandbright GS6 open wagon

Endless, Nameless · Post by **Endless, Nameless** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:50 pm

Erm, yeah, why not- straight swap seems fair to me! Better find me spanners...

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:22 pm

goodo! thanks, no rush!

Endless, Nameless · Post by **Endless, Nameless** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:14 pm

I'll whip 'em off this weekend and bung them in the post early next week- I want to start stripping the engine down anyway. Gotta shift the gas tank back and swap the drain valve over. PM me your addy!

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:49 am

right ho

Endless, Nameless · Post by **Endless, Nameless** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:50 am

Endless, Nameless · Post by **Endless, Nameless** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:47 pm

Did they ever turn up lad? Worried they got lost in the Christmas post/ snow!

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