N Gauge Couplings

[46444]

Morning,

 

Being a recent convert to N gauge (See my blog) my layout St.Keyne Wishing Well Halt (SKWWH) is an introduction to N so as to develop my skills and get to grips with a new scale.

 

Although simple, just a loop and some hidden sidings I've started trying some shunting moves in the hidden siding with a Dapol Class 66, a Cargowagon

and some Monster Boxes. At the momment I'm using a flat pointy thing to uncouple the 'Rapidos' with some success. Buffering up is a problem though as the wagons tend to end up being loose shunted.

 

I'm thinking about my next layout which will be based on Trevisco Clay Dryers but with the line being used for a passenger service (Units) and CDA's passing through. Here's a fot below for my inspiration:

 

 

http://www.southwestrailphots.fotopic.net/p42422021.html

 

Some shunting potential here I guess and the need to run around the train as well. I would like to exhibit the layout but want to avoid the hand from the sky approach.

 

I know couplings in N are a problem and understand Bachmann are going to introduce a new style of coupling. Anyone got any advice or experience of using different types of couplings?

.

Cheers.

 

Mark

[Revolution Ben]

Hi Mark

 

Couplers in N have been problematic for a long time, but appear now to be in the process of being addressed.

 

The original big, square Rapido hook dates from the 1960s and was quickly settled on as the standard because, although it looks awful, it's simple to mould and keeps trains together even on rough track.

 

NEM standards now specify pockets that allow the coupler to be deflected up (similar to the Peco Elsie) so in theory these can be made to uncouple.

 

In the States, where trains all have buckeye couplers, a working model buckeye manufactured by Microtrains (and now copied by others as the patent has expired) has become the standard. This can be coupled and uncoupled magnetically. It can also push without recoupling, allowing wagons to be "spotted" into sidings. These look a lot better (especially where the prototype is fitted with buckeyes such as 66s and MBAs) but can be awkward to fit to UK stock. It is a variant of this design that Bachmann/Farish are working on. Dapol are also developing a version, in association with Microtrains, that fits into a NEM socket.

 

The third option is the DG/B&B/MBM version. This is a fold up brass job that requires assembly and tends to be favoured by 2mm modellers. It looks pretty good, and works well, but can be awkward to fit and is easily bent out of position in the stock box in my experience.

 

As you're only looking at shunting with a small number of wagons and perhaps a single loco, I guess you could experiment with them all until you find what works for you?

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

[46444]

Hi Ben,

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

Much as I thought really. Will have to wait for Bachmann to to come up with the goods I guess. I'd be interested in the future at looking at a small steam layout as well, especially with Farish bringing out an Ivatt 2-6-0 2MT Mogul. Hmmmm! Visions of the Kettering-Cambridge line. So a bit of shunting may be had as well.

 

Alternatively, where to you source the DG/B&B/MBM version from?

 

Thanks.

 

Mark

[Revolution Ben]

Hi Mark,

 

I find the NGS shop easiest, but I think that BH Enterprises and people like N-Gauge Lines do them too.

 

cheers

 

Ben A.

[MikeTrice]

Wizard Models?

[grahame]

You might find these notes helpful;

 

Main commercial N Gauge coupler types;

 

1) Arnold Rapido - a chunky squared-off knuckle style hook coupler usually moulded in strong plastic and offering push together coupling. Uncoupling requires that one of the couplers is raised up either by ramp or by adapting the coupler with a small piece of metal (such as a track pin or the Peco coupler lift arms Ref NR-103) which is then attracted by magnet to make the coupler move/pivot. The stock end of the coupler is usually housed in a largish rectangular box, that also often includes a spring, and which is attached to either a bogie or directly under the chassis.

 

2) Kadee/MictroTrains - sophisticated working miniature buck-eye style coupler that offers automatic functionality for coupling and un-coupling making it suitable for shunting, and is commonly found/used on American N scale trains. Atlas also produce an MT compatible version known as Accurail.

 

3) Fleischmann Profi - is designed for reliable auto-coupling and delayed uncoupling, rather than aesthetics, and is consequently almost as ugly and as bulky as the Arnold Rapido.

 

4) Tomix TN - is a range of well regarded couplers from Tomix that includes a buck-eye style version and a miniature working Scharfenberg/BSI type prototype coupler in a range of mounts more suited for close coupling of fixed rakes rather than for shunting. The Scharfenbergs clip-couple up when pushed together, but require significantly more force to separate. The new Dapol Class 156 Sprinter and Class 153 DMU railcar are fitted with these type of couplers on the outer ends. However, they offer realistic looks and close scale coupling.

 

5) Generic buck-eyes - are relatively neat and small, but usually limited in functionality, although some provide for a closer to scale coupling gap.

 

Specialist ‘home made’ types

 

Usually of a swinging hook/latch design that are assembled from etched brass/wire, and need accuracy to install and align, However, when set up they can provide reliable automatic coupling and uncoupling functionality, although uncoupling is usually limited to occur at a line-side located magnets or electro-magnets. Generally these are the most fiddly and difficult solutions that require a decent level of skill, and often including soldering, to assemble and install. Plus the mounting of them is usually more critical and can require significant butchery to the model including cutting away the Rapido socket box.

 

* Assemble and fit yourself MT coupling.

* Assemble and fit yourself DG coupling.

* Assemble and fit yourself B&B coupling.

* Assemble and fit yourself MBM coupling.

* Assemble and fit yourself MBD coupling. No soldering required, although fiddly, and works with some of the other types (see article in NGS journal 3/07).

* Assemble and fit yourself Sprat and Winkle coupling.

* Make and fit yourself Alex Jackson style coupling

* Make and fit yourself hook and eye/bar style coupler

* Make and fit yourself three link and hook style coupler

 

G.

[46444]

Evening,

 

Thanks to all of you for your replies.

 

Certainly appears that the Microtrains coupling system is the way to go by the sounds of things.

 

I'll investigate. Is there a UK supplier of Microtrains couplings?

 

Cheers.

 

Mark

[46444]

Hi again,

 

Just discovered that MG Sharpe stock Microtrains couplers.

 

Does anyone know the type required for a Dapol Class 66, the Dapol Cargowagon and the Farish MBA's?

 

MG Sharpe list a starter pack for £35.00 but it comes with 3 different types of couplings.

 

Cheers.

 

Mark

[McRuss]

Hello Mark,

 

as far as I'm aware there are at the moment no NEM pocket fitting versions of the Microtrains Couplers available. As I'm building a modular N scale layout with some friends we use the Rapido coupling because it is available by all british manufactures. I also made trials with Spratt&Winkle but their construction and installation is tricky.

 

Markus

[DavidB-AU]

All I can suggest is be patient. Dapol is working with Micro Trains on a replacement coupler for NEM coupler pockets. BachFar is working on its own version.

 

Cheers

David

[whiteswan]

All I can suggest is be patient. Dapol is working with Micro Trains on a replacement coupler for NEM coupler pockets. BachFar is working on its own version.

 

Cheers

David

 

Following my email to MT, here's the latest (Sept 2010) update on the MT version

 

QUOTE

Caz.

This is an ongoing project here at MTL. I have a number of prototypes and I hope one of them works as needed. Our problem is in the NEM adaptor having such a narrow opening negating the installation of any of our draft gear boxes. Still, I do have a few solutions, stay tuned.

 

Thank you for your email, more fuel for the fire here!

Cheers

Joe D'Amato

R&D Design Engineer

Micro-Trains Line

351 Rogue River Parkway

Talent, Oregon

97540

541-535-1755 Ext 227

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Caz

To: joe@micro-trains.com

Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 12:44 PM

Subject: MT conversion of N guage NEM pockets

 

It was mentioned over a year ago that there might be a version of the N gauge MT coupler to convert the newer Bachman & Graham Farish N Gauge stock and engines fitted with NEM pockets to MT. All the latest European offerings are now fitted with this pocket and there doesn’t seem to be any MT to fit and it means totally butchering the loco/truck to make one of the existing ones to fit.

Regards

Caz.

ENDQUOTE

[john new]

You might find these notes helpful;

 

Main commercial N Gauge coupler types;

 

1) Arnold Rapido - a chunky squared-off knuckle style hook coupler usually moulded in strong plastic and offering push together coupling. Uncoupling requires that one of the couplers is raised up either by ramp or by adapting the coupler with a small piece of metal (such as a track pin or the Peco coupler lift arms Ref NR-103) which is then attracted by magnet to make the coupler move/pivot. The stock end of the coupler is usually housed in a largish rectangular box, that also often includes a spring, and which is attached to either a bogie or directly under the chassis.

 

 

Reviving this thread as my search hasn't produced a better one on n-gauge coupler questions and on youtube I only found videos covering magnetic options. My query is what are the repair/replacement options for missing parts in the Rapido type. I'm happy with the Rapido type and either big hand from the sky uncoupling with a lifting pole or using a liftable ramp as N will never be my main scale to work in but I do have some broken items of stock to repair.

 

Some of the items I have obtained as a newbie to N  (locos and stock) have been damaged losing the largish rectangular box cover which fits over the spring/coupling assembly so that even if I bought replacement springs there is no clip fit holder. Can an NEM pocket be just superglued underneath or for height will I have to cut the supporting lug off and fit the pocket with some sort of top bracket to hold it. Reason I ask is not sure where to find dimensions - are the NEM pocket mounting heights the same as for fitting Kadee pockets?

 

I think when I bought this stock on an impulse I was expecting the coupler to fit rather like the PECO/H Dublo one it looks like with a screw or rivet through a ring fitting!

[garethashenden]

Here is a DG coupling fitted to a brake van. There's a hook and a loop. Usually it is recommended to only fit loops on one end of the vehicle, as two loops sometimes interfere with each other.

[grahame]

Reviving this thread as my search hasn't produced a better one on n-gauge coupler questions and on youtube I only found videos covering magnetic options. My query is what are the repair/replacement options for missing parts in the Rapido type. I'm happy with the Rapido type and either big hand from the sky uncoupling with a lifting pole or using a liftable ramp as N will never be my main scale to work in but I do have some broken items of stock to repair.

 

Some of the items I have obtained as a newbie to N (locos and stock) have been damaged losing the largish rectangular box cover which fits over the spring/coupling assembly so that even if I bought replacement springs there is no clip fit holder. Can an NEM pocket be just superglued underneath or for height will I have to cut the supporting lug off and fit the pocket with some sort of top bracket to hold it. Reason I ask is not sure where to find dimensions - are the NEM pocket mounting heights the same as for fitting Kadee pockets?

 

I think when I bought this stock on an impulse I was expecting the coupler to fit rather like the PECO/H Dublo one it looks like with a screw or rivet through a ring fitting!

Check out the Dapol Easi-shunt coupler. Its a magnetically operated knuckle style coupler (like KD/Microtrains) but will fit a NEM coupler socket now fitted on most new stock.

 

Also for details of most N gauge couplings see the article in The N Gauge Journal issues 5/15 and 6/15.

 

G.

[WesternKing]

Does anyone know where I can purchase some long rapido type couplings from, the only ones I've come across are supplied with white metal kits?