N
Scale Supply recently received samples of the new McHenry coupler from
Athearn. I have been testing them in various applications by installing
several pairs in place of Accumate couplers on both cars and a locomotive.
This is an easy conversion as the coupler fits into the same coupler
box that accepts Accumate couplers. Since I am naturally sceptical,
I was pleasently surprised at how well the McHenry coupler works. I
found that not only did it couple to other McHenry couplers without
trouble, the McHenry coupler works well with Micro-Trains and Accumate
couplers. Furthermore, I had zero unexpected uncouplings during our
extensive testing of the McHenry coupler. The McHenry is slightly bulkier
in appearance than either the Accumate or the Micro-Trains. Overall
to me it looks more like a prototype knuckle coupler.
Athearn will start factory installing the McHenry coupler on all future
releases starting with the 50'
PS1 Box Car. N Scale Supply has been told to expect a selection
of McHenry couplers to be offered from Athearn. We expect more details
later this summer, 2008.
-
Marlin Cox, May 2008
N Scale Supply
Additional
Information added May 14, 2008
After posting our review a few days ago we have received many comments.
This has prompted us to expand on our use of the 'slightly bulkier'
comment.
In measuring the three couplers we have found:
McHenry
Micro-Trains
Accumate
Height
0.1"
0.1"
0.09"
Width
0.14"
0.16"
(0.12)*
0.14"
Depth
0.175"
0.14"
0.17"
*
0.16" if measured perpindicular to the coupler over the entire
width. If you turn the coupler about 30 degrees and measure it perpindicular
to the hand part it is narrower.
The
couplers are within hundreths of an inch of each other. Our comment
probably should have been 'looks more stout'. The cross sectional area
of the McHenry is much greater than a Micro-Trains.
As to the spring: Our pictures here show the coupler many times its
actual size. I cannot see the spring from 18" away. In our usage
of the couplers we never had the spring fall out or fly away. It seems
to be very well attached.
We also noticed that the trip pin on the McHenry is smaller in diameter
than the Micro-Trains or the Accumate (0.02" vs 0.03").
One other point we didn't mention, the fulcrum of the McHenry is at
the knuckle, just like the prototype. It opens more like a human hand.
The fulcrom of the Micro-Trains coupler is clear back inside the mounting
box at the center of the mount. The Micro-Trains coupler opens more
like a pair of scissors. How this will affect performance is left for
the reader to decide.
The McHenry is by no means a perfect coupler, but it is nice to have
choices in the marketplace.
