Hello,
My 15 year old son has a n scale atlas locomotive and a bachman locomotive. Both run like champs. None of them have couplers. Couplers will have to be purchased. New rolling stock will need to be purchased to run with the locomotives.
I have ho scale, so I know almost nothing on n scale couplers except I have read different brands are not compatible with each other like HO scale.
My questions are:
1. What brands of n scale couplers work well with bachman and atlas locomotives frames?
2. What brands of n scale couplers are the most used on rolling stock (freight cars) and locomotives?
3. What brands of n scale couplers are easiest to install.
Thanks for any help.
Steve
Hi steve,
I would suggest Micro-Trains couplers. If you just google Micro-Trains you will find a link to their website. Then click on conversion chart- N scale and there you will find listed locomotives from different manufactures and their recommended couplers. I would suggest purchasing the ones already assembled as they are ready to install.
As far as the rolling stock, you can also use Micro-Trains or Accumate couplers by Atlas. You can purchase these already assembled to the trucks and most are attached with friction pins or screws. You will find both of these fairly easy to install and your locol hobby shop may already stock these and if not they can order them for you. Or any online retailer that handles N scale trains and accessories can also.
Please keep in mind that freight cars use lots of different trucks depending on the year and size and purpose of the car. If you are purchasing a good quality car such as Atlas, Micro-trains or even Bachmann, with the newer knuckle type couplers you will be fine as they are all compatible with each other except for the older rapido type couplers which will only work with other rapidos.
Hope this helps, Ralph
Thank you. This helps a lot.