Model Railway Forum

I have just purchased a Dapol passenger coach, model number 4P-010-038, as an end-of-line item, and unfortunately, one of the couplings is broken. I’ve spoken to the retailer who has advised that they don’t have any spares to suit, so can only offer me the option to return the coach for a refund, which I’d rather not do, if at all possible. I’ve attached an image of the broken coupling.

I did try using a spare NEM coupling that I had, but I couldn’t get the coupling to engage, and I didn’t want to use too much force in case I broke the coupling mount on the bogie. Does anyone have any idea what type of coupling mount this is please? Is it Dapol proprietary? If not, does anyone have any idea where I could get a couple of suitable spare couplings please? I'll drop Dapol a line, just in case they can help.

This is really annoying. I've bought a few items lately that have not been up to snuff -- a couple of Hornby R8073 points (and I think that I also have an iffy R8072 that will need replacing), some issues with a Dapol class 121 DMU that I bought (again, end-of-line -- perhaps there's a hidden message), a Hornby guard's wagon and a some other stuff. Is it just me? Am I cursed? I'm beginning to wonder. I can't usually buy a bit of tech. without having to return it, be it a Freeview PVR, tools, you name it. Perhaps my curse has spread to model railways. Arrrgh!

A quick search suggests that the coupling might be this type: https://www.hornbytriangspareparts.co.u ... -61XX-V20A . Am I correct?

There are squillions on eBay. Just get one that looks the same as the ones you have.

I hadn't thought of eBay. Doh! I'm waiting to see if the retailer or Dapol comes across first, but thanks for the tip.

Having looked around it seems that these are Dapol Coup4 couplings, at least from what I can make out. Sales on the likes of eBay and Hattons are for a silly number -- I only need one, so depending on the response received from Dapol or the retailer I'll probably buy from the Trick-ang spares guys, for a pair of them. It's the only coach that I have that uses these couplings. any idea if they can be converted to old-style Hornby or NEM?

Buffer Stop wrote: ↑Sat Aug 21, 2021 2:01 pm Having looked around it seems that these are Dapol Coup4 couplings, at least from what I can make out. Sales on the likes of eBay and Hattons are for a silly number -- I only need one, so depending on the response received from Dapol or the retailer I'll probably buy from the Trick-ang spares guys, for a pair of them. It's the only coach that I have that uses these couplings. any idea if they can be converted to old-style Hornby or NEM?

Hi Buffer Stop,
I think I might have at least one of these. Send me private msg and I'll post it or them if I find any more.
FOC
Regards
Ted

I used to have loads. Most of them were sent to people on the forum. I’d buy 10 of each type, always useful to have spares. I can almost guarantee if you buy one another will break shortly afterwards.

Buffer Stop wrote: ↑Sat Aug 21, 2021 1:26 pm A quick search suggests that the coupling might be this type: https://www.hornbytriangspareparts.co.u ... -61XX-V20A . Am I correct?

Those look pretty close to me, but I'll still send my 2 if you wish to see if they fit.
Ted

Those will fit the socket - its a Airfix originated socket type which passed to Dapol when they acquired the Airfix toolings in the mid 1980s and to Hornby in the mid 1990s when Dapol sold most of them.

twalton1145 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 21, 2021 2:57 pm

Buffer Stop wrote: ↑Sat Aug 21, 2021 1:26 pm A quick search suggests that the coupling might be this type: https://www.hornbytriangspareparts.co.u ... -61XX-V20A . Am I correct?

Those look pretty close to me, but I'll still send my 2 if you wish to see if they fit.
Ted

Ted — thanks very much for the offer, which I’d be happy to accept. How do I pay you for them and cover your postage costs?