@Magicland posted:Perhaps you should check the NMRA standards. It lists O scale coupler height as 0.813" / 20.64mm (top of rail to knuckle center), with tolerances of 0.047 / 1.19.
Well, I did check the standards. My computer screen sez that "O" scale is 0.688" ± 0.031".
But, as others have reported, and as I have experienced for years and years, the O3R coupler alignments across car styles, generations, materials, manufacturers, etc., etc.,blah, blah, are all over the map within, perhaps, ± 1/8"....or more?
So, if Kadee's O scale coupler gauge is relevant to O3R and O2R, you'd think someone...even, or especially Kadee...would've offered a "Lobster Claw" version of that gauge. Yes? No? I mean, the O3R market is a tad larger than the O2R market...IMHO, of course.
Or is it that we (O3R's) don't care? After all, they're "just toys"...per the majority of NMRA-ophiles I've dealt with through 60+ years. I mean, most of the reviews of O3R product I've read don't even mention, at least, gross or problematic deviation from this seemingly important standard. It reminds me of the dialogue in a production problem meeting at the company I worked 31+ years. The plant manager argued to the engineers that "An engineering drawing is but a suggestion of how a part is to be made!" (It happened...and he became the poster-employee for the Peter Principle months thereafter.)
OK, I'll give it a rest...the horse is dead. It is what it is.
0.688" ± 0.031" (wink, wink)
Amen.
...and thanks to all who responded.
KD
