These are fixed 3 Link and Instanter couplings designed to fit into NEM sockets on British outline OO gauge rolling stock.  They provide a coupling between rolling stock which won’t separate but maintains the flexibility whilst providing an authentic look.  This is ideal if you want to run long fixed rake trains without the worry of uncoupling.

Below is an example of four coal wagons coupled with the Type 1 coupling.  Sets of four are easy to pick up, when permanently linked.  On each end is a Kadee knuckle coupling.  Many sets have been assembled like this to form long coal trains.

The full range is listed below, please click on the table for a larger view.

All types are available in sets of 4, 10 and 25.  Each type is shown in detail lower down the page.

The adaptor couplings have been designed so items of rolling stock from different manufacturers can be coupled together.  Although all NEM sockets are supposed to be at the same height, as specified by NEM 362, some are not.  These tend to be higher with the manufacture compensating for the height difference in the coupling assembly.  Depending on which manufacturer makes up the bulk of your rolling stock you may want the adaptor coupling to be high or low to match the rest.

The short coupling will work for most rolling stock. However, wagons with a longer chassis may need longer couplings to avoid buffer-lock. Longer couplings may also be needed if you have tight curves on your layout; the tighter the curve the closer the inner buffer will get.

As everybody’s layout is different it is impossible to recommend which couplers you need so sample packs are also available.

NEM OO 3 Link & Instanter Couplings – Basic Sample

This contains one of each coupling types 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 & 11.  It covers both the 3 Link and Instanter styles for the short length and includes one of each adaptor for different height sockets.  For the majority of rolling stock it will be one of the couplers in this pack which you will need.

NEM OO 3 Link Couplings – Sample Set

This contains one of each type: 1, 4, 7, 10, 16, 19, 22, 25, 31, 34, 37 & 40.  It covers all the standard 3 Link couplings and adaptors for different heights in all lengths, Short 18mm, medium 19mm and long 20mm.

NEM OO Instanter Couplings – Sample Set

This contains one of each type: 2, 5, 8, 11, 17, 20, 23, 26, 32, 35, 38 & 41.  It covers all the standard Instanter couplings and adaptors for different heights in all lengths, Short 18mm, medium 19mm and long 20mm.

NEM OO 3 Link & Instanter Couplings – Sample

Containing one of each type: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 16 ,17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, 38, 40 & 41.  It covers all the standard 3 Link & Instanter couplings and adaptors for different heights in all lengths, Short 18mm, medium 19mm and long 20mm.

NEM OO 3 Link & Instanter Couplings – Advanced Sample

Containing one of each type: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15.  This set covers all the couplings in the short, 18mm, range including the special Big Step-Up couplings designed to raise the coupling to the correct height and the 3 Link Loose couplings.  Please note both the Big Step-Up & 3 Link Loose couplings do not work as normal couplings; please see the individual type descriptions below.

(Short) Range Type 1 to Type 15 – 18mm between NEM sockets.

The most common couplings will be Type 7 & Type 8.

Type 1 – Short straight – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Short length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock both with high NEM sockets.

Type 2 – Short straight – fixed Instanter coupling.

Short length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock both with a high NEM socket.

Type 3 – Short straight – loose 3 Link coupling.

Short length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock both with high NEM sockets. This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

Type 4 – Short straight to raised socket adapter – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Short length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with a normal and high NEM socket keeping the coupling low.

Type 5 – Short straight to raised socket adapter – fixed Instanter coupling.

Short length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock with normal and high NEM sockets keeping the coupling low.

Type 6 – Short straight to raised socket adapter – Loose 3 Link coupling.

Short length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with a low and high NEM socket keeping the coupling low. This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

Type 7 – Short step-up – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Short length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with normal NEM sockets.  The coupling is raised up.

Type 8 – Short step-up – fixed Instanter coupling.

Short length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock with normal NEM sockets. The coupling is raised up.

Type 9 – Short step-up – loose 3 Link coupling.

Short length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock both with normal NEM sockets. The coupling is raised up. This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

Type 10 – Short raised to straight socket adapter – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Short length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with a high and normal NEM socket keeping the coupling high.

Type 11 – Short raised to straight socket adapter – fixed Instanter coupling.

Short length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock with a high and normal NEM socket keeping the coupling high.

Type 12 – Short straight to raised socket adapter – Loose 3 Link coupling.

Short length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with a high and normal NEM socket keeping the coupling high. This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

Type 13 – Short big step-up – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Short length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with normal NEM sockets.  The coupling is raised up by 5.5mm to put it higher on the frame but the existing model hook needs to be cut off and clearance to the buffer beam will also need to be checked on curves as it will get closer as the curve gets tighter.

Type 14 – Short big step-up – fixed Instanter coupling.

Short length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock with normal NEM sockets. The coupling is raised up by 5.5mm to put it higher on the frame but the existing model hook needs to be cut off and clearance to the buffer beam will also need to be checked on curves as it will get closer as the curve gets tighter.

Type 15 – Short big step-up – loose 3 Link coupling.

Short length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock both with normal NEM sockets.The coupling is raised up by 5.5mm to put it higher on the frame but the existing model hook needs to be cut off and clearance to the buffer beam will also need to be checked on curves as it will get closer as the curve gets tighter.  This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

 

(Medium) Range Type 16 to Type 30 – 19mm between NEM sockets. (Available Soon)

The most common couplings will be Type 22 & Type 23.

Type 16 – Medium straight – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Medium length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock both with high NEM sockets.

Type 17 – Medium straight – fixed Instanter coupling.

Medium length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock both with high NEM sockets.

Type 18 – Medium straight – loose 3 Link coupling.

Medium length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock both with a high NEM sockets. This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

Type 19 – Medium straight to raised socket adapter – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Medium length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with a normal and high NEM socket keeping the coupling low.

Type 20 – Medium straight to raised socket adapter – fixed Instanter coupling.

Medium length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock with normal and high NEM sockets keeping the coupling low.

Type 21 – Medium straight to raised socket adapter – Loose 3 Link coupling.

Medium length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with a low and high NEM socket keeping the coupling low. This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

Type 22 – Medium step-up – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Medium length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with normal NEM sockets.  The coupling is raised up.

Type 23 – Medium step-up – fixed Instanter coupling.

Medium length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock with normal NEM sockets. The coupling is raised up.

Type 24 – Medium step-up – loose 3 Link coupling.

Medium length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock both with normal NEM sockets. The coupling is raised up. This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

Type 25 – Medium raised to straight socket adapter – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Medium length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with a high and normal NEM socket keeping the coupling high.

Type 26 – Medium raised to straight socket adapter – fixed Instanter coupling.

Medium length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock with a high and normal NEM socket keeping the coupling high.

Type 27 – Medium straight to raised socket adapter – Loose 3 Link coupling.

Medium length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with a high and normal NEM socket keeping the coupling high. This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

Type 28 – Medium big step-up – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Medium length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with normal NEM sockets.  The coupling is raised up by 5.5mm to put it higher on the frame but the existing model hook needs to be cut off and clearance to the buffer beam will also need to be checked on curves as it will get closer as the curve gets tighter.

Type 29 – Medium big step-up – fixed Instanter coupling.

Medium length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock with normal NEM sockets. The coupling is raised up by 5.5mm to put it higher on the frame but the existing model hook needs to be cut off and clearance to the buffer beam will also need to be checked on curves as it will get closer as the curve gets tighter.

Type 30 – Medium big step-up – loose 3 Link coupling.

Medium length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock both with normal NEM sockets.The coupling is raised up by 5.5mm to put it higher on the frame but the existing model hook needs to be cut off and clearance to the buffer beam will also need to be checked on curves as it will get closer as the curve gets tighter.  This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

(Long) Range Type 31 to Type 45 – 20mm between NEM sockets. (Available Soon)

The most common couplings will be Type 37 & Type 38.

Type 31 – Long straight – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Long length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock both with high NEM sockets.

Type 32 – Long straight – fixed Instanter coupling.

Long length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock both with high NEM sockets.

Type 33 – Long straight – loose 3 Link coupling.

Long length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock both with high NEM sockets. This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

Type 34 – Long straight to raised socket adapter – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Long length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with a normal and high NEM socket keeping the coupling low.

Type 35 – Long straight to raised socket adapter – fixed Instanter coupling.

Long length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock with normal and high NEM sockets keeping the coupling low.

Type 36 – Long straight to raised socket adapter – Loose 3 Link coupling.

Long length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with a low and high NEM socket keeping the coupling low. This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

Type 37 – Long step-up – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Long length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with normal NEM sockets.  The coupling is raised up.

Type 38 – Long step-up – fixed Instanter coupling.

Long length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock with normal NEM sockets. The coupling is raised up.

Type 39 – Long step-up – loose 3 Link coupling.

Long length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock both with normal NEM sockets. The coupling is raised up. This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

Type 40 – Long raised to straight socket adapter – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Long length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with a high and normal NEM socket keeping the coupling high.

Type 41 – Long raised to straight socket adapter – fixed Instanter coupling.

Long length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock with a high and normal NEM socket keeping the coupling high.

Type 42 – Long straight to raised socket adapter – Loose 3 Link coupling.

Long length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with a high and normal NEM socket keeping the coupling high. This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.

Type 43 – Long big step-up – fixed 3 Link coupling.

Long length fixed 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock with normal NEM sockets.  The coupling is raised up by 5.5mm to put it higher on the frame but the existing model hook needs to be cut off and clearance to the buffer beam will also need to be checked on curves as it will get closer as the curve gets tighter.

Type 44 – Long big step-up – fixed Instanter coupling.

Long length fixed Instanter coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for mid 1940s and later stock with normal NEM sockets. The coupling is raised up by 5.5mm to put it higher on the frame but the existing model hook needs to be cut off and clearance to the buffer beam will also need to be checked on curves as it will get closer as the curve gets tighter.

Type 45 – Long big step-up – loose 3 Link coupling.

Long length loose 3 Link coupling giving 18mm between NEM sockets.  This is designed for early to mid 1940s stock both with normal NEM sockets.The coupling is raised up by 5.5mm to put it higher on the frame but the existing model hook needs to be cut off and clearance to the buffer beam will also need to be checked on curves as it will get closer as the curve gets tighter.  This coupling does not work for reversing or shunting movements.