KEVIN PLAYER looks at close-coupling the N Scale KATO Glacier Express Coaches.
This K28-186 Close Coupling Set is for the:
The Close coupling set is a must purchase for reducing the gap between coaches to a more realistic size. This set comes complete with couplings for both coaches and the locomotive, together with reduced length corridor connections. Fully detailed instructions are also supplied. It’s a very quick job, as an example it only took me ten minutes to replace the couplings on all 6 coaches.
The Glacier Express coaches with the original factory-fitted couplings
Care is required when fitting the couplings to the locomotive as the coupling spring is produced from very thin material. I recommend gentle handling with tweezers and take your time during fitting, as it can bend very easily. I must admit it took me another ten minutes or so to fit two couplings to the locomotive, that spring can be a right so and so when it wants to!
The Coupling design is unique and provides a push fit. Units will couple easily on the track providing couplings are central to each other and the pressure springs are not distorting the angle of the coupling in any way. This is well worth checking after fitting.
The orignal corridor connector (left) and the shorter connector provided in the set (right)
To reduce the gap even further only fit one of the reduced length corridor connections to each coach. When coupling up match one short length to one long length corridor connection. The close couplings won’t cause any problems on a tight radius, this includes the 150mm Curves as supplied within the starter set or the K20-890 Compact Oval Track Pack CV1.
The Glacier Express coaches with the close couplings, and one of the shorter corridor connectors
Should you require the facility to uncouple the locomotive and run around to the opposite end, due to the coupling design you will need to keep the existing couplings fitted to the loco and one end of the coaches which are to be coupled up.
To further enhance the model remove the body and paint the floor and tops of the tables using Acrylic paint. This removes the highly obvious one piece moulding colour. The next step is to populate the coach with figures, for example there's Preiser's bulk packs of 60 figures PR79250 and/or PR79251. As normal, when populating N Gauge coaches, the legs will have to be cut off unless extending into the gangway. However, don’t use Cyano glue, or superglue, to stick the figures to the seats because when they dry these glues can cause a fogging effect on clear plastic. I would suggest, from the Deluxe product range, either Tacky Glue or Scatter Grip. (Alternatively, KATO produced, at a later date, some four Seated Passenger Sets for their Glacier Express, which are well worth considering - Ed.)
With just a small amount of work, fitting close couplings can add an extra dimension of realism to your layout.