Rolling Stock Advice

[Anonymous]

I am just starting my first N scale layout. It will be a 15 by 15 around the room layout. The layout will have ample track for yard work, since I want to simulate this activity as much as possible. Which company sells the most "workable" rolling stock. I purchased three cars so far and to my surprise each one has a different coupler. The car from Micro-Machines ( I think ) was the most realistic and has a magnetic coupler. The other two were Atlas cars and to my surprise had different couplers. I don't mind paying a premium if the coupler is going to be dependable and "realistic". I also plan to have DCC. Any advice to this novice railroader....

[Anonymous]

I don't know how easy switching will be with N scale... N scale seems to be chosen by the modellers who want trains in scenery, or closer-to-proto-length trains. HO seems more practical for switching/handling.

Just my 2cents worth.

Andrew

[AltonFan]

The only rolling stock I would avoid is Bachmann freight cars. The trucks are affixed with screws and are difficult to convert to Micro-Trains trucks.

Atlas sells cars with both Rapido couplers and with their own magnetic coupler. I usually replace the trucks with Rapido couplers with Micro-Trains trucks. I have not had opportunity to use the Atlas magnetic couplers, so I can't say how well they work.

Kato has its own coupler, which mates with Micro-Trains. I understand they have also come out with an automatic coupler, which again, I have never used. The Kato non-automatic coupler is easy to install, mates with Micro-Trains, and is inexpensive. I like to use the Kato coupler for passenger cars, in situations where magnetic uncoupling is not critical, and where I want to do a quick and dirty conversion that will work with Micro-Trains couplers. However, Kato couplers may require considerable force to make them couple, especially with Micro-Trains couplers. Also, IIRC, Kato freight cars use a snap-in truck which is not easily convertable to Micro-Trains.

Much of what I said about Kato couplers applies to Unimate couplers (now made by Red Caboose). I'm not impressed with the reliability of Intermountain's knuckle coupler.

I've never really used the magnetic uncoupling feature of Micro-Trains couplers. My layouts have been very small, I've never installed uncoupling magnets, and I used a Rix uncoupling tool when needed. Still, my advice to a novice would be to begin converting to Micro-Trains couplers from the start. This is especially important with locomotives, whose conversions can be expensive, and can require some skill. Otherwise you will end up with a backlog of unconverted equipment. I would also invest in a package of the appropriate Micro-Trains truck-coupler 10-packs and convert freight cars as they are acquired.

I would also advise a novice to get himself a few Atlas ore cars with Rapido couplers, and equip one end with a Micro-Trains truck, so that it can be used as an adapter car.

I do hear about N scalers using Micro-Trains Z scale couplers, which look closer to prototype size. (The Z scale couplers are typically body -mounted on N scale equipment.) I have also heard that these Z scale couplers will mate with the N scale couplers. I haven't tried this, so I can't say how well it works.