KaDee couplers are supposedly all interchangeable with each other, I have had no trouble with anything less until now; that includes S-802s and HO #5's, etc. However, I have noticed that the #148, supposedly the "whisker" version of the #5, will not readily mate with an 802. It looks like the knuckles will not close without some nudging, as if the knuckle springs are too weak. I have also had cars separate when one was a 148 and the other an 802.
I ask because I see it to be advantageous to have a drawbar that is about the same length as a prototype drawbar, which is in the 4 to 5 scale feet range. KaDee now has a #451 extended drawbar set for HO that includes the #148 coupler; but I am mulling something for the 802, such as an extension on the box to give the same swing on a body-mounted installation. For those who want to play with this, the KaDee 802 box is 0.150 x 0.380. The closest available brass rectangle box is 3/16x3/8 outside dimensions, the 3/8 is too narrow inside to fit. Dave Engle
