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HO Scale Kits |
Accurail's Accumate® Coupling System
FOR
DIRECT ORDERING, PLEASE USE THE NEW
ACCURAIL WEBSITE (Decal Renumber Sets can still be ordered here) |
[Closeup]   [Assembly using existing coupler box] [Comparison photo 1]   [Comparison photo 2]
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Accumate® Couplers and pricing can be found on the Parts page. |
Introducing the patented ACCUMATE® coupler
from Accurail®, the results of eighteen months of design and development
work. We have met our goal to design a model railroad coupler that is simple,
functional, and economical to manufacture.
The ACCUMATE® consists of two shank pieces that pivot around a common
post, herein referred to as the hook, which carries the knuckle profile,
and the blade. When coupled, the hooks are sprung into engagement, much
like the common horn-hook style coupler, the blades provide the buffing,
or pushing, surface. An interlock between the hook and blade limit their
motion relative to one another, and provide for a stable surface to be
pushed against. A mild steel pin is mounted to the underside of the hook so that a magnet mounted in the track can draw it aside to effect uncoupling. In addition, the inside of the knuckle profile is shaped generally circular, so that a specially shaped tool, the SWITCHMAN® can be inserted and rotated to easily spring the couplers apart without jamming or snagging as is the case with existing pivoted knuckle designs. Note that the knuckle profile has NO draft angle. This is important because this feature significantly increases the number of cars that can be pulled in a train, as the draft angle in operation becomes a camming angle that tends to lift one coupler over and out of its mate. See the recent MicroTrains® advertising in the Hobby press for a discussion of this topic and their solution to it. This is simply the BEST model railroad coupler design for the serious hobbyist. Easy, reliable, hands-off uncoupling anywhere on the layout with the use of the specially designed SWITCHMAN® uncoupling tool, while retaining the advantages of remote magnetic operation, too. Draftless knuckle profile allows operation of long, heavy trains without the effects of "coupler rideup". Mates with all brands of magnetic couplers currently on the market.
Accurail and Accumate are registered trademarks of Accurail Inc. |