I do not own a KATO piece of machinery as of yet. But I do have the KATO Engine & (5 car set) Phase IV coming. I think some of my older rolling stock came with Accumate couplers and they work fine. The rest are M/T. If they don't match, no big deal. The passenger service is a self contained unit in it's self. No real need to be connected to another train unless like in the real world when on occasion needs to hitch a ride back to the back shop. Then again, I don't live in the real world. Help, Cliff
The Kato couplers will work with MT. Couplers on carriages (phase IV) will be close coupling, but the coupler on the loco may be a medium shank which I prefer. I have had some uncoupling with Kato locos with short shanks with accumates, but never with MTs, and I think the spring effect in the MTs helps with the coupling.