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11 January 2009

Mounting DG couplings to NEM sockets

By Guy Hamilton

So that I have something to use whilst I devise and construct my first 2mm layout I have completed the installation of DG autocouplers on a small amount of my stock to use on my small n gauge layout.   My German stock was converted in the normal way via the removal of the old coupling pocket and replacement with a DG coupler.    All of the ride heights were set via a jig; simple blocks of plastic card to check the height of the mounting plate and after installation that of the buffing plate.

However the locomotive I had in mind for the shunting duties would need to have the DG couplers installed in an NEM pocket which necessitated the modification of the DG coupler to fit in the NEM socket.    The coupling needed to mount in the NEM pocket and not move within the pocket once installed.     The first step was to thin down the mounting plate at the couplings tail so that it would fit in the pocket.   I then removed the lugs for the coupling loop. 

A 0.85mm brass rod would provide the axle which would clip into the clips in the NEM socket and a short length of the same rod would be soldered along the tail of the coupling to prevent it from moving around in the socket.      It was also provided with a 1mm offset to increase the height of the coupling in line with those heights found on my vehicles.   I did this in the same way you would produce a joggle in point work.  The finished coupling ( a bit blurred ) can be seen below.

The coupling was then chemically blackened and installed.   Now to build my 2mm layout .....

 

1 Comment »

  1. Dear Guy,
    Thanks for publishing the pictures of how to modify the GD Coupling to fit into a NEM pocket, I don't mind chopping NEM pockets of freight stock but an expensive locomotive is a no-no

    Thanks again

    Pete

    Comment by Pete Williams — 17 February 2020 @ 8:23 pm

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