Hi, I'm new here and just starting Nscale railroading. I know this must be an old question with many answers but I'll go ahead anyway.. Whats the best direction to go as far as couplers are concerned. I just bought my first two cars and the couplers aren't compatable. Car one is a 40' box car (Atlas # 34403) and the second is a Con-Cor Gondola. If I'm going to have to change couplers to make all my future cars match, what is the best product to go with?
Thats an easy question I'm thinking the Atlas has accumates which are knuckle couplers, these are also comapatable with Microtrains couplers which is what most modellers use to convert the older rapido couplers which are quite large and bulky. you might want to visit this site for more information Micro-trains You may also want to look through our N scale forum for more information. Good luck with your new found hobby and welcome to Trainboard.
I did a search on couplers for you here is the thread I found with a lot of information Topic: Couplers Manufacturers are going with a more prototypical style of couplers but still find that I will need to change mine to some thing compatible I plan on using MT couplers
Don, Welcome to the world of N scale!!! I hope you enjoy it... I've been in N scale for about 12 years, a convert from HO scale. I hope you got your answer on the couplerquestion, if not, let us know! Harold
I think it is much easier to start the conversion now while your inventory is small. The thing about Micro-Trains or Accu-mate couplers is that there are a host of other functional and non-functional couplers that share compatibility. I use Red Caboose short shank "dummy" or non-functional couplers on all my unit coal trains. There is rarely a need to uncouple these trains, yet they are still compatible with other "knuckle" type couplers.
Hi Don and welcome! Acumates and Microtrains are the way to go, and the red caboose are great if you don't need the automatic uncoupling. Tim
Hi again folks, and thanks for the info. It looks like MT or Accumate is the way to go. Once again thanks for the help, and I'm looking forward to a long association with the Trainboard. Don S.
