Coach Couplings

During construction of the coach I have been looking for suitable buffers/couplings for it. It was my intention to find items that were reminiscent of tramway couplings. The search turned out to be rather difficult and in the end I decided to fit standard Roundhouse scale couplings. Despite them being rather large the design wasn't too far from what I was looking for. I could see them work with my other types of couplings and they could be mounted under the coach without too much fuss.

The couplings are bought separately and delivered with two different types of coupling attactments. I will be using a home made chain for coupling.

I bought the couplings on the Swift Sixteen-website in the section for 'builders parts'.  Once received, I could separate the coupler castings from the casting tree and test fit the couplings on the coach. They are rather big for the small coach, so I suspect I will have to keep looking for an appropriately sized pair of couplings. Until that happens the coach will be fitted with the Roundhouse couplings.

I fitted the supplied 3 mm bolts on the coach's underside and added an assortment of washers to adjust the couplers' height. A nut keeps everything in place. The coupler can swing and the amount of deflection is regulated by a brass bracket glued to the coach's bottom. 

Testing the Roundhouse couplings on the Line Side Hut Corris coach.

 

The almost finished coach with couplings fitted. They will probably be less prominent once painted and weathered.

I'm currently fixing home made end frame pieces (strangely absent in the kit) and looking for markings in my collection of left over transfers. Last thing to be fitted will be the platform end boards and grab rails.