Kadee
Model railroad manufacturer famous for its knuckle couplers.
Kadee Quality Products Co. is a model railroad manufacturer best known for its couplers, though it also produces rolling stock and accessories. The company's HO knuckle coupler became the de facto standard in the hobby in the USA, and its designs are increasingly adopted by serious modelers in the UK and other English-speaking countries.
- Founded
- 1940
- Founders
- Keith and Dale Edwards (identical twin brothers)
- Location
- White City, Oregon
- Key product
- HO knuckle coupler
- Scale coverage
- N and larger scales
Lore & Background
Kadee Quality Products was established in 1940 by identical twin brothers Keith and Dale Edwards, who named the company using their own initials, K and D. Both were toolmakers and engineers. Their claim to fame and financial success came when they developed and patented their HO knuckle coupler, which became the de facto standard in the hobby in the USA, even though the NMRA-defined X2f coupler was the norm. The coupler line covers N and larger scales.
In the early 1990s, the Edwards brothers had a falling out and parted ways. Dale took Kadee, which is based in White City, Oregon, and the business is now in the hands of his son-in-law, Alan Vezzani. When the brothers split, Keith established Micro-Trains Line in Talent, Oregon, about 30 miles from White City. Micro-Trains specialized in N scale products, expanding later to include Nn3 and Z scale. Keith died on July 26, 2012, and Dale died on September 19, 2014.
Reader's Guide
Kadee's HO knuckle coupler became the de facto standard in the USA, supplanting the NMRA-defined X2f coupler in popularity. Its increasing adoption by serious modelers in the UK and other English-speaking countries is due to its potential as a hands-free automatic and/or delayed coupler that permits shunting moves remote from the operator without the use of switched uncoupling devices. This popularity is helped by the production of couplers #17–#20, which fit into NEM 362 standard coupling pockets increasingly fitted to UK models by Bachmann, Dapol, and Hornby. Earlier models can be retro-fitted with #5 or #146 couplers by cutting off the original couplings and replacing them with a draft box and the appropriate Kadee unit; where problems arise, an underset or overset coupling shank can assist. When the patent for those couplers expired, several manufacturers copied them. The company's coupler line covers N and larger scales, and its rolling stock and accessories complement its core product.
Did You Know?
- After a falling out in the early 1990s, Dale took Kadee (based in White City, Oregon) and Keith established Micro-Trains Line in Talent, Oregon.
- Couplers #17–#20 fit into NEM 362 standard coupling pockets used by Bachmann, Dapol, and Hornby on UK models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kadee in the model railroad world?
Kadee Quality Products Co. is a model railroad manufacturer best recognized for its couplers, though the line also extends into rolling stock and various accessories. The company has become a go-to name for modelers who want reliable, realistic couplings on their layouts.
What is Kadee's signature product?
The HO-scale knuckle coupler is Kadee's flagship item and has effectively become the default choice across American model railroading. Its design has since gained serious traction among hobbyists in the UK and other English-speaking regions as well.
Who started Kadee and when?
Identical twin brothers Keith and Dale Edwards founded the company in 1940. Their combined name gives the brand its memorable two-syllable identity.
Where is Kadee headquartered?
The company operates out of White City, Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
What scales does Kadee cover?
Kadee's product range spans N gauge and every larger scale, making it a practical option for modelers working in N, HO, O, and beyond.
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