Change of couplings for N trains

[Anonymous]

Hello from Germany,
is it easily possible to change a Magne-Matic coupling into the standard coupling which is also used in Europe (e.g. Fleischmann piccolo)? I have seen that this system is also used in the USA and I have already American wagons with it. .
I have some other N engines and wagons from the USA (Microtrains, Life Like) which I want to change to this coupling system. Is the change easy? I did not see any screws on the couplings on the wagons and I have the impression that I have to dismantle the engines to change the system, if it fits at all (one is a Life Like SD7 loco No. 7739, the other one a SW9/1200 No. 7891).
Thank you for any help.

Andreas

[Wdlgln005]

Hello from the USA!

Most of the US models are trying to shift awat from the Rapido coupler to the MTL one. Some model mfr's include the Rapido couplers in the box along with the locomotive, so then you may be able to swap. You do the same thing should the coupler suffer a fall to the floor.

Most of the US freight car fleet involves taking out the car bolster pin & swaping trucks to the other system. Most even do a converter car where one end is one type & the other end is Rapido. This is especially true in the difficult to covert models with body mount couplers. This topic seems strange in that Roco & Minitrix & Brawa made a lot of the early Atlas Nscale stock.

Most of the LifeLike locos here come with Rapido couplers on the rear of cab units & a dummy on the coupler on the front. I hear that LifeLike has excellent customer service. Perhaps you can find their German importer & get some help for you problem? Parts should be very cheap!

[DSchmitt]

I looked at the Fleischmann website. While the couplers did not show clearly, I believe they are wht we in the US and Canada call the "Rapido" type. (I also looked at a 30 year old Fleishmann loco that I own, the couplers are the Rapido type) Most of us older N scalers here have spent a lot of money converting from them to MicroTrains "Magne-Matic" types.

The way to convert most freight cars (wagons) is to change to trucks with the desired coupler type already on them. At one time trucks with Rapido couplers were available. I don't know if they still are. There are probably some US N scalers with boxes of them.

I am sure the Locomotives can be converted to Rapidos, but all my experience is converting the other way.

Glenn's explanation is very good[:D]

[Anonymous]

Hello,
thanks for the advice. It seems that I somehow try to go backward in model railroading history [:)].
Well, I have to think about it. Maybe it is easier to switch all my American wagons to Magne Matic. Then I just could not do the unrealistic but funny thing to combine European and American rolling stock and I cannot use my uncoupling tracks. But it seems that then I have to change the whole... how do you call it? ... axle unit with it. Do you simply pull that of with the help of a screwdriver or how do you take it off?
By the way: Some engines and some wagons are a little shaky on my Fleischmann switches anyway. But most of the time it works.

Greetings,
Andreas