Kadee® was at Trainfest in Milwaukee, WI this year. We previewed a couple of new products that are in the final stages of production and should be ready soon. We took our NEW O-Scale "SE" and "SBE" Shelf Couplers to the show, which are in final testing before we release them. So, you O-Scalers, keep your eyes out for the NEW "SE" and "SBE" Shelf Couplers that should be released in the first part of 2025. We also showed off our NEW #126 HO-Scale Long Shank "SBE" Shelf Whisker® Coupler. This new bottom shelf coupler is for all of you prototype modelers running long modern cars. The #126 is in production and should be released soon.
Kadee® has a quick and easy solution for anyone with some of those fussy cars that like to slip apart on your layout. Now you can change out your HO-Scale, and G-Scale Couplers to shelf couplers. The O-Scale Shelf Couplers will be out soon too!
If you want to make that passenger, hazardous material, or modern freight car look and act more prototypical, use the "SF," "SE" top and bottom or "SBE" bottom shelf Kadee® couplers. You will not be leaving your favorite car sitting on the siding anymore. These shelf couplers will allow cars that don't stay coupled because of track imperfections to stay coupled up over those grades, bumps, and dips—no need to struggle with those slight track imperfections or those pesky gophers for you garden railroaders.
The "SF" & "SE" Top and Bottom Shelf Couplers have real functioning shelves designed to prevent the opposing knuckle sliding up or down on those dips, bumps, or transitions on your layout. Technically, you only need one "SF" or "SE" top and bottom shelf coupler coupled to another Kadee® coupler to keep both cars together. If the "SF" or "SE" top and bottom shelf coupler is equipped on both cars, they will be extra secure.
The "SBE" Bottom Shelf Couplers have a functioning bottom shelf designed to prevent the opposing knuckle to slide down on those dips, bumps, or transitions on your layout. If you run two "SBE" bottom shelf couplers together, the cars are locked together and are not designed to slip apart. You can use the same manual uncoupling tool as you do on your non-shelf Kadee® couplers. Since the "SBE" bottom shelf couplers have no top hood to interfere with manual uncoupling, they look much more discreet. They are a popular choice for prototypical modern applications, but also a great solution for those cars who need a little help.
Manual uncoupling shelf couplers
HO-Scale and O-Scale Shelf Couplers use the #241 Dual Tool - Manual Uncoupling Tool & Spring Pic for manual uncoupling. The #241 Dual pointed end works for HO-Scale "SF" and "SE" top and bottom shelf coupler manual uncoupling tool. The #241 Dual Tool blade end works nicely as an O-scale "SE" top and bottom and HO-Scale & O-Scale "SBE" bottom shelf coupler manual uncoupling tool. With a light twisting action the coupler uncouples effortlessly.
G-Scale, use a 1/8" flat head screwdriver at the appropriate length to reach your couplers for manual uncoupling. The 1/8" flat head screwdriver works very nicely as an "SE" top and bottom and "SBE" bottom shelf coupler manual uncoupling tool. With a light twisting action the coupler uncouples effortlessly. You might want to order these couplers today!
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