Close coupling mixed rakes of coaches will always be a compromise in this house. While I would mostly be happy with fixed sets, my 10 year old son likes to marshall them, so a semi-permanent close coupler such as the Bachmann (dummy pipe) 36-060 is not an option. Also, trying to turn potentially long rakes of coaches from their sides to their wheels isn't practical.

With regard to the Airfix origin Hornby Mk2s, I originally intended to fit a close coupling mechanism manufactured by Keen Systems. However, I want to keep the coaches in near to new condition as they will be sold on and replaced when Bachmann release their new Mk2 air cons. I've already got rid of a good number that were stored.

I've had this set of pictures on my Flickr site for a while and they get more views than most of my photos of real trains. High time I wrote a blog on the subject, so the following is what I have found to be the simplest solution for close coupling various combinations of Bachmann and Airfix/Dapol/Hornby/Mainline coaching stock.

Bachmann Mk1's with factory fitted couplings

Using factory fitted Bachmann 36-061 tension lock couplings on both coaches. Plenty of room for improvement!

Bachmann Mk1's close coupled

Using Bachmann 36-027 (short/cranked) tension lock couplings on both coaches.

Bachmann Mk1 and Bachmann Mk2 close coupled

Alternating Bachmann 36-027 and factory fitted Bachmann 36-061 tension lock couplings. Bachmann 36-027 couplings on both vehicles looks good on the straights, but causes problems when propelled over short radius crossovers.

Bachmann Mk2's close coupled

Alternating Bachmann 36-027 and factory fitted Bachmann 36-061 tension lock couplings.

Hornby Mk2D's close coupled

Using modified Bachmann 36-026 tension lock couplings on both coaches (see below).

Modifying a Bachmann 36-026 coupling

The Hornby Mk2D does not have an NEM pocket, but a Bachmann 36-026 coupling can be modified to fit by clipping off the wings and carefully opening up the screw hole with an over sized screwdriver or drill bit.

The coach bogies will helpfully turn through 90°, so can be worked on without removing them from the underframe. Pop the top off the coupling box with a small screwdriver, make sure the modified coupling sits snugly on the coupling mount, and replace the coupling box top.

The coach can be returned to factory condition and this method will also work with different Airfix, Dapol, Hornby and Mainline (and other manufacturers) products which use the same coupling mount.

Many thanks to Silver Sidlelines Blog for this method.

Bachmann Mk1 and Hornby Mk2D close coupled

Using Bachmann 36-027 and Hornby R8099 (Hornby's take on the Airfix) tension lock couplings respectively. Still room for improvement, but much closer than out of the box and looks better on the rails than on the workbench. Fitting the modified Bachmann 36-026 coupling to the Hornby coach brings the vehicles too close together to work reliably when propelled over short radius crossovers. I am building our next layout with more generous radii and will be revisiting this - if the Bachmann Mk2Fs don't arrive first.

Bachmann Mk2 and Hornby Mk2D close coupled

Using Bachmann 36-027 and Hornby R8099 tension lock couplings respectively. Without a close coupling mechanism on the Hornby coach, this is a close as the vehicles will get while maintaining reliability when propelled over short radius crossovers.

Close coupling - the end result!

I wonder why Hornby made the effort to incorrectly paint Mk2F style gangway ends on their Mk2D coaches.

Close coupling - roof view...

A real improvement and reliable over short radius crossovers evident in this view, although the train set pictured is now history.

While I've used 4 different couplings, considering vacuum, air or dual braking, steam, ETH or dual heating, the kitchen of a catering car next to 1st class and standard class at the country end, helps make sure that appropriate couplings will end up next to each other. Besides, employing a little prototypical practice adds to the fun when putting rakes together.

I'm not for one moment suggesting that this solution is in anyway better than Kadee Couplers and the like, but it's cheap, cheerful, works for us and nothing irreversible has been done to the stock.