couplings

An etched kit with couplers, ideal for sharp curves. Easy to fit on the centre point of a bogie (US: truck) or just with a screw.

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The famous and most popular coupling in the 009 scene. Includes iron wire for magnetic uncoupling.

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Centre point couplings

An alternative coupling for H0e, H0m and 009. When you have a track with sharp curves, where wagons are being pulled out of the track or when you simply need couplings for your rolling stock. With this coupling you decide the pivoting point yourself. This can be with an M1.6/BA10 screw at the ends of the wagon or on the centre point of the bogie. When you have decided the turning point of the coupling, you can cut off the back part that is not used. You can also leave the end as is, to connect a spring or rubber band the two couplings together, so they will spring back in straight position.

It is easy to enlarge the holes with a diamond file, so the couplings have almost unlimited use. Like for example on H0e carriages of Egger-Bahn, Liliput or Bemo. The rings are washers.

A Greenwich hoop can also be fitted instead of the supplied hoop.

Diameter holes = 1.65 mm

A package contains 4 couplings (= 2 etched sets)

See building instructions

Magnetic couplings, which also forward electricity, to reduce the drag of power contacts on the wheels.

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Coupling to replace default N-gauge coupling in Kato drives 11-109 and 11-110. This is a free download, so you can print it yourself on a resin printer.

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Greenwich Couplings

Simple and cheap, though amazingly effective. A kit exists of 10 couplings, which have to be folded and assembled. A steel wire wil make it possible to uncouple without the “hand of God”, using a magnet between the rails (sold separately). Mainly for OO9, H0e and H0m, but also suitable for 0e fx.

Chopper couplings

Upping the realism in 009

As many products at the Tramfabriek, it starts with something I personally want/need. The growing releases of 009 ready to run stock has not passed my attention and several models have been purchased. But the clunky couplings have been a thorn in my eye. Such pretty models, but why the practical, but horrible distracting coupling? In other scales there are many different couplings. Some would argue too many. The fact is that we have NEM pockets on practically all new 009 models, but hardly any choice in alternative couplings. So I made a new coupling, based on the one seen on the Lynton & Barnstaple railway: the Chopper coupling. But this coupling is not limited to this railway, as it is internationally being used. Which becomes clear with the alternative name: the “Norwegian coupling”.

For practical reasons, the couplings will be sold in a set with 12 couplings: Six couplings have a hook, the other six do not. Even though it is prototypical to have a hook in each coupling and technically, two hooks will couple in this model version, it is not easy to uncouple.

Confirmed minimum radius: 228mm = 9 inch (Peco 009 setrack).

Magnetic uncoupling

The Chopper couplings are made of stainless steel, which means they are slightly magnetic. They will work with Greenwich magnets (6x3 mm) or at minimum 5x2 mm disc magnets (see below), placed at sleeper height.

Watch the Chopper Couplings in action

Coupling

(Please note that it doesn’t always work this smooth, because of the difference in height of the couplings and the horizontal alignment)

Uncoupling with magnet

Please note that the couplings might take a few days extra to ship, because of the time involved to make them.

Distance NEM pocket to end of buffer: Short version 4.6 mm, Medium version 5.85 mm.

Pre-order here when out of stock

With Tramfabriek Chopper coupling (Short)

With factory fitted coupling

All Peco and Bachmann 2 axle coaches and wagons can use the short Chopper coupling. The Chopper hook will also couple to the traditional hoop coupling. On the other side, a hoop will work on the Chopper coupling without hook, but it is unreliable when the track is not even or on points.

With Tramfabriek Chopper Medium coupling. Use Medium Couplings also for Bowsider and Bug boxes.

With factory fitted coupling

With Tramfabriek Chopper coupling (Short)

With factory fitted coupling

Kato 11-109 & 11-110 replacement couplings for H0e/OO9

The Kato 11-109 and 11-110, available from the Tramfabriek, are a fantastic contribution to the model train world. The driving qualities are magnificent and it’s therefore not a surprise many H0e and OO9 train fans are using these drives for many projects. But they come standard with N gauge couplings, which are of no use to us. So therefore I designed this obvious solution, which is easy to swap out with the factory installed coupling.

To replace the couplings, just pull the coupling cover off and cut the small plastic rod that holds the spring in place. You might have to trim the replacement coupling at the end, so it fits. You don’t need the spring, it just fits in like it is.

There are three different sizes, depending on the space you need. The two larger versions can optionally have a metal Greenwich or Tramfabriek loop coupling. They can be fitted with a brass lace pin. This is easy to cut to size with the end squeezed flat to fix in place.

The STL files are free to download and print. Free digital and physical distribution is allowed (no commercial use), but credit to the Tramfabriek has to be mentioned with the product. Changes to the design are allowed, also here credit to the original design to the Tramfabriek has to be mentioned.

In addition, I sell the medium and large sized couplings as a set of 2 and 10, as well as you can buy the 11-109 drive with the 009/H0e couplings.