N-Possible Coupler Announcement (Nashville 2022)

[Wolf N Works]

200 pairs for me since we putting in requests

[GM50 4164]

@turbowhiz would you consider a sampler pack? Possibly something with the various lengths so we can get an idea of what exactly we need?

I would like to start off with 50 pairs in kit form, probably a short length I'd guess.

[Jimbo]

@turbowhiz would you consider a sampler pack? Possibly something with the various lengths so we can get an idea of what exactly we need?

I would like to start off with 50 pairs in kit form, probably a short length I'd guess.

@ednadolski  Now look what you started!!   

[Dwight in Toronto]

A sampler pack is a great suggestion!

[ednadolski]

@ednadolski  Now look what you started!!   

Heh yeah I guess so.... but I betcha with all the  's here it would have started anyways, I was just first

Ed

[Maletrain]

Turbowhiz, what is the status of the scale box for these couplers?

[GaryHinshaw]

Scale boxes are in production.  They are shown in the first photo Andrew posted.

[turbowhiz]

For the moment, bulk order requests are subject to a significant minimum. I honestly expect most will want a small quantity to test for themselves before going "all in" so to speak, its only reasonable.

I'm still working to a dealer distribution model.

If my retail packaging drags substantially, I'll potentially do some smaller quantity bulk orders, but for now I need to keep my attention focused on the original plan.

I do like the idea of a "sampler" pack, but the complexity and therefore cost of packaging said pack is actually a bit of a problem for me to start...I'll see how things go and figure out if it makes sense. 

[garethashenden]

What is a “significant minimum”? I had been going all in on TSCs, but these seem like a significant improvement. I’ve been holding off on rolling stock projects while waiting for these and I’d like to stop doing that. On the other hand, 50 pairs is probably enough for the railroad, at least in its present configuration.

[ednadolski]

First bulk lot order all packed up, all of the launch parts are here. 600 pairs of couplers comprised of different lengths; 300 box pairs/300 retrofit shims pairs:

Are those air hoses in that upper right-hand packet?

Ed

[wmcbride]

I see these as the coupler salvation I have been looking for four decades.

Like Ed Nadolski, I would start with 50 pairs or more.

The sampler pack is a great idea, though.

[Lemosteam]

Are screws included when they go into sales mode?

[turbowhiz]

Are those air hoses in that upper right-hand packet?

Ed

Yes. Airlines are supplied with the scalebox boxes, but not the universal retrofit couplers. If there is demand, I'll sell them as a standalone part. They are scale. I've found them to be surprisingly robust all things considered, but they are not indestructible.

Macro Shot of Airline installed on Scalebox:


Lots of airline parts (Iphone shot into plastic bag, they are sharper then the look in this picture)

Are screws included when they go into sales mode?

I'm not including screws. Its yet another supplier and supply chain to manage day 1 (with yet even more complexity especially in the present climate. Screws would certainly make the most sense to source outside of North America), any given application might dictate a different screw length (Hat on my box vs no Hat, how much depth do you have?) and many applications would already have an appropriate screw already supplied with the model. Accordingly, scalebox couplers are not supplied with screws. Universal retrofits logically wouldn't make sense to supply with screws regardless.

[GaryHinshaw]

Nice job on the weathering!  How did you treat the polished finish on the mating surface?

[turbowhiz]

Nice job on the weathering!  How did you treat the polished finish on the mating surface?

I just literally draw on them with a soft pencil... Even a HB pencil works well, but I recently switched to using a 10B and I get better results with less effort. Useful in general for lubricating all of the sliding surfaces. Strictly speaking not necessary, but it does make the kiss coupling work that little bit better. It also looks decent when you've weathered things too.