1) We have witnessed the demise of the Rapido. We have also lost a cheap (free) coupler that mates with any brand of equipment. 2) The new ConCor & newer Bachmann couplers must be compatible. or else. 3) MTL is no longer alone as the industry standard. It is ultimately good to force competition and further improvements. 4) MR should do another product test to determine the strength of couplers. We may need a Ntrak standard coupler that can stay connected with the 100+ car trains. Most modelers won't have the space to have trains that long. 5) All mfr's will have to make cars with the option to run body or truck mount. Conversions will be easier. MTL may lose some sales.
2. The Bachmann couplers are compatible. 3. I've run 40 cars behind my H4 and the new coupler held. 5. That's debatable and if MTL loses coupler sales that's business. Their heavyweight passenger cars and the new covered hopper indicates they are looking beyond the days of making a living out of selling couplers to replace everone else's Rapidos.
