I have 2 dozen or so N-scale cars with many different types of couplers and would like to
standardize them. Would a coupler conversion involve replacing the trucks as well, or just the couplers?
Thanks for the help - Danny
DANNY63I have 2 dozen or so N-scale cars with many different types of couplers and would like to standardize them. Would a coupler conversion involve replacing the trucks as well, or just the couplers? Thanks for the help - Danny
As with most things, there's more than one answer to your question.
Replacing the trucks with Micro Trains trucks that include couplers is the short answer. But bear in mind that there are a number of varieties of MT trucks available. There are short, medium and extended couplers, there are arch bar (pre-1930 or so) bettendorf (friction bearing, maybe 1920-1970), and Roller Bearing (more modern equipment, say 1960 on) plus a few variations of both friction bearing and roller bearing types, such as 70 ton, 100 ton, and on and on and on.
Typical 70 ton friction bearing truck.
100 Ton roller bearing truck.
Now, much of this probably doesn't matter. As a long-time N scaler, I can tell you, for the most part you can't really see the difference in terms of frame style. But the coupler extension might be an issue for you.
Modern boxcars with a cushion underframe can be represented with a medium extension
and longer cars, like 86' auto parts cars would need the extended coupler mounts.
There's also a variety of passenger trucks available.
Replacement trucks and couplers can be purchased in bulk packs of 10 pairs for about $30. This is the best and most cost effective way to replace most of your trucks. The pack includes new bolster pins and adaptors that allow you to replace trucks on just about any car.
Now, the next consideration is wheel sets. The trucks in the bulk pack include wheels, obviously, but if you're running fine scale track, such as Atlas c55, you'll find that the stock MT wheels have flanges that are way too big. Starting this spring, MT is supposed to introduce an NMRA compliant wheel that won't have this problem, but you'll need to get replacement wheels if you get old product. If you're running typical code 80 track (Atlas standard snap track and flex or Kato Unitrak) then this won't be an issue.
So, think about the following when you're making your upgrades:
What is the era of the car (to determine the truck frame that's appropriate)
How much coupler extension to you need (to get the appropriate and functional distance between cars)
And What kind of wheels do you need (to be compatible with your track).
I hope this is helpful.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
SID6FIVE DANNY63 I have 2 dozen or so N-scale cars with many different types of couplers and would like to standardize them. Would a coupler conversion involve replacing the trucks as well, or just the couplers? Thanks for the help - Danny What I did with all my cars was to replace the stock trucks and couplers with micro-trains trucks and couplers...if you'll be performing shoving movements with long strings of cars, it might be preferable to use body-mounted couplers...
DANNY63 I have 2 dozen or so N-scale cars with many different types of couplers and would like to standardize them. Would a coupler conversion involve replacing the trucks as well, or just the couplers? Thanks for the help - Danny
Base on my experience at the N Scale club making shoves with long cuts of cars doesn't seem to be a problem.I have shoved as high as 27 cars through Atlas custom #6 switches at scale switching speeds with no problems.
Back to the question..
Danny,Lee has given you excellent advice concerning the MT coupler..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Hi,
Use MT couplers anyway, because as they said " they are the Cadillac of the couplers".
Because you are starting to standarize your coupler go to the body mount option; it will perform well better, but keep in mind to avoid to use too tight curves whith body mounted couplers.
MT offer many body mounts couplers; I use often the 1015 or 1025 ones for cars, all in kitform.
On the MT cars I cut away the coupler from the trucks and body mount it again. The box of this coupler is great so it could interfere whith the truck in sharp curves.
For locos MT offer a whole range of couplers and convertion kit for nearly everything on the market.
For steam locos use a MT Z scale coupler like the 905 for the pilots, it's easier to place and put an Nscale pin; it mate fine whith Nscale couplers.
MT also offer jig to mount their "kit coupler" and also a gauge to check them.
You will got a lot of pleasure whith these couplers which assure good performance and the famous "delayed acation".
Marc
Hi again,
I didn't mentionned an another message one of two pages back in this forum about N scale couplers were you can get very good info's about Nscale couplers.
Great post for me as I was about to ask the same info,only a couple missing details.When Marc says "kitform" I suppose you have to assemble them wich for me is a nightmare.Are these couplers also offered pre-assembled?And if so,can they be purchased in economy packs like by the dozen or else?I have 22 N scale Rivarrossi heavyweights that I want to retrofit with body mounted couplers so that raises another question...how to install them?File the bottom of the car then glue them,if so,is CA glue right for the job?Last question...what is the best place to mail order MT couplers?
Hi Jacktal,
Yes I am speaking about kit build couplers.
MT offer some of their couplers in a ready to mount or in kit form.
I use the kit form to save some money, but be aware the coupler are tiny and it's not always easy to build them.
There is some bulk package offer by MT but best is check all the advises from by examples, Trainland-Trainworld, Caboose Hobbies, Nscale supply ect...; they offer sometimes bulk package at an affordable price.
About the Rivarossi heavyweights, MT offer trucks whith coupler for passenger cars. You could also body mount the coupler but you need broad curves.
You could also use string of cars, passsenger ones are ok for this, whith only the first and the least of the string whith MT coupler equiped so you can save some money.
Good luck.
I get 1015's in the kits also. 10 pair for the same price as 2 pair assembled. You'll learn to love assembling them with that kind of savings...!
1023's are usually better for freight car installations, but they're only available pre-assembled, 2 pair at a time.
Thanks for all the great info. everyone!!
Lee,
You can buy 1025's, they are 1023's that are un-assembled.
Craig
I have 2 odd N scale that I would like to convert to MicroTrains couplers. Both are Minitrix. One is their 320 ton hot metal (bottle) car and the other is their Schnabel car. Any help would be greatly appreciated
caldreamer I have 2 odd N scale that I would like to convert to MicroTrains couplers. Both are Minitrix. One is their 320 ton hot metal (bottle) car and the other is their Schnabel car. Any help would be greatly appreciated
See if You can find what You need on this site for Micro Trains couplers:
https://www.micro-trains.com/conversions
Good Luck!
Frank
I had to do a double take when I saw the post mentioning a 10 pack of trucks for $30. That was in 2010. The price is double that now unless I just got ripped off.