Hornby Dublo Nylon Coupings - which way up?

[Wagonwheels]

I bought some replica HD plastic coupings some time ago. While servicing these locos (Deltics) I wondered why the spruereinforcement moulding was uppermost and the otherside smooth while the uncoupling stalk was lowermost? Had a look at a HD wagon to check (gunpowder) and the moulded coupling had the smooth side on the top with a pat number (Peco?), sprue, etc moulded into the lower/other side. Have to say the claw part of the my after markets couplings are orientated correctly.

Who cares!

Unfortunately I am burdened with a well developed eye for detail and would love to know if any HD experts could tell me whether my couplings (which all work) are not as HD would have made them.

Many Thanks

[DBfan]

Stalk to the bottom

[Wagonwheels]

Stalk to the bottom

 

 

Hello

Thank you for the response. I did think this might be a bit tricky to explain, yes the stalk is always at the bottom, but with the stalk on the bottom should the top of the coupling hook be smooth? i.e. was that how HD made them?

I realise it’s a moot point as long as the coupling works, but to me it seems, well, untidy.....

Many Thanks

[Going Spare]

Looking at the Hornby-Dublo service sheet for the Co-Co diesel, the knuckle part of the moulded coupling is set slightly higher than the main arm and the vertical reinforcement is therefore on the upper face of the coupling arm with the horizontal plate reinforcement extending out on both sides of the arm to the bottom of the knuckle. There is no view of the underside of the arm to see whether any patents are embossed on the 'smooth' face.

[VESPA]

This was a coupling for the Deltic with the strange double style. The stalk is always at the bottom and these couplings are not smooth at the top. Without going into my packed out box room I am sure the E3002 Electric Bo Bo loco are also that style.

[Wagonwheels]

@Going Spare

Looking at the Hornby-Dublo service sheet for the Co-Co diesel, the knuckle part...........

 

 

Many Thanks for the response. Having done a 'Spring Clean' of my wagonvans I found a couple of HD ICI Bulk Salt of the 'Presflow' type wagons and lo the coupling flat side is at the top and the reinforcement bits underneath.

Anyway thanks again, perhaps enough is enough on this particular topic, however next time you come across HD rolling stock you might have a quint at the coupling?

[Wagonwheels]

@VESPA

This was a coupling for the Deltic with the strange double style.........

 

 

Many Thanks for the response, seems either orientation was used, bit surprising though....

[VESPA]

I have a HD bogie well wagon with one metal coupling and one plastic. When I bought it new metal couplings were the norm. About a year later one came off so I sent it back to Binns Road and they fitted a plastic one instead of my old metal one. I assume tooling must have then been adjusted to rivet only plastic couplings or they replaced the whole bogie. It cost a whole 1/6d for the repair inc postage (7.5p in todays foreign money).