Model Railroading > Coupler Types

I am in the process for updating my HO rolling stock to Sergent Engineering couplers. At this time, I have a decent sized train of Athearn Genisis 5161 Trinity grain cars, and am starting to aquire ExactRail's Johnstown Auto Flood hoppers.


I am looking for proper couplers for SD70MACs, Trinity 5161s, and Auto Flood hoppers.

What type of couplers should I be getting?

Thanks in advance.

I do not know anything about sergents couplers, I use the Kadee's for years and I have add nothing but excellent results with them, as they are very reliable.

it's very very important to keep all your rolling stock's coupler heights all the same including your locomotives couplers , Kadee sells a coupler height gage for this and washers to add on your trucks to raise them if needed.

Haven't tried them yet but have only heard good things about Sergent couplers. Here's a couple of sites to look at:
http://sergentengineering.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdECmydu68M

Do a search on this & other sites for Sergents as they have been discussed numerous times.

MysticHowler Wrote:
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> I am looking for proper couplers for SD70MACs,
> Trinity 5161s, and Auto Flood hoppers.
>
> What type of couplers should I be getting?

I hate to say this, but you really have to find prototype photos of the cars you're working on to determine what kind of coupler you need to use. For example, BNSF seems to like to use Type F couplers, while CSX seems to prefer Type Es. BNSF SD70MACs use lower shelf Type Fs:

http://drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=395913

while CSX SD70MACs use lower shelf Type Es:

http://drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2057053

Many freight cars seem to be equipped with lower shelf Type Es nowadays, especially box cars and covered hoppers. CSX Trinity 5161 covered hoppers have them. A lot of older cars still have plain Type Es. A lot of Western and utility coal cars appear to be equipped with lower shelf Type F couplers, so that would be a good bet for your Auto Floods. I've seen lots of Thrall coal gons (Athearn/MDC model) with lower shelf Type Fs. Here's a BN RD4 (I think) with Type Fs:

http://drolsen.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=441317

BNSF Auto Flood IIs use lower shelf Type Fs:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=596816

Tank cars in general have double shelf couplers, either Type E or F. You'll have to check photos to see which type.

I hope that helps. As with just about everything in this hobby, check prototype photos if you want to build accurate models.


espeesGeeps Wrote:
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> I do not know anything about sergents couplers, I
> use the Kadee's for years and I have add nothing
> but excellent results with them, as they are very
> reliable.

Sergent couplers are replicas of the types that the prototype uses - i.e. Type E, Type F, lower shelf, double shelf, etc. So he's asking what prototype style is correct for each of the models in question. Check out the different styles under "Products" in their menu on the left - they are pretty impressive in appearance and work very well:

http://www.sergentengineering.com/

Dave