COUPLERS- New couplers from San Juan Car Company

San Juan Car Company has been working on a new automatic coupler based upon the prototype Type-E coupler.   Work was started on the standard gauge Evolution coupler shortly after finishing the narrow gauge Evolution automatic coupler.    After several tries with their Chinese die maker, the coupler is done and in the country.  The coupler is very similar to their working AAR Type-E coupler.   The dimensions are nearly identical except for a scale inch and a half shorter in height.   The shank has the same mounting hole and spring-plastic centering.   It will fit in the same draft gear as the old San Juan coupler.

The picture shown above compares the original versus the new automatic coupler.   The size and appearance is very similar in as you can see.

The frontal view of both coupler shows the automatic coupler has a longer knuckle with a slight hook on the inside.   The two couplers are capable of coupling and uncoupling with a minimum of effort.  I snipped the long steel wire off on a coupler to see how it would look compared to the old coupler.

 

There will another new working Type-E coupler expected in the country very soon.   It is made of brass and comes prefinished.  I will post a blog once it comes in.

You will some real choices to make when it comes to scale couplers.   We are living in a wonderful time when it comes to modeling in 1/4″ scale.

Gene