Kadee HO scale whisker couplers
Price: $3.95 (2 pair)
Manufacturer
Kadee Quality Products Co.
673 Avenue C
White City, OR 97503-1078
www.kadee.com
Description: all-metal scale-size HO knuckle couplers
Comments: Three new scale-size couplers featuring an easy-to-install one-piece design are now available in HO. Kadee whisker couplers come in 1/4″ short shank (no. 153), 9/32″ medium shank (no. 156), and 25/64″ long shank (no. 158) versions.
Each whisker coupler is made of blackened metal. The head is the same size as the no. 58.
The biggest advantage with this type of coupler is that it doesn’t require a separate metal spring insert. Whisker couplers have two thin wire centering springs and a thicker shank to help avoid drooping.
I replaced the couplers on one of my HO boxcars with no. 156 couplers, which have the same shank length as the Kadee no. 5. They easily fit into the draft-gear box and didn’t require any extra shimming or filing.
Just like the Kadee nos. 5 and 58 the couplers self-center consistently and perform reliably. In both looks and performance these whisker couplers are an easy way to upgrade an HO scale freight car.
