couplers for n scale

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hey all, newbie to the forum, been away from the hobby for ten years or more. I have some new atlas and athearn rolling stock w/accu-mate couplers and some older stuff with rapido couplers. I am running on kato unitrax. would appreciate advice on trucks/couplers choices – i would like to have some kind of automated de-coupling in the switching yards. And while I’m at it, shouldn’t I ditch the palstic trucks that come on the RS?

Thanks for the help!

2

Hi and [#welcome] to the forums.

With regards to the couplers, Rapidos went out of style in the mid-late 90s. IMHO, you’re better off going with knuckle-style couplers such as Accu-mates and Micro-Trains. These are usable with under-track uncoupling magnets as well, to provide semi-automatic un-coupling.

I haven’t used any of the Kato Unitrack, so I can’t vouch for it from personal experience. As far as the trucks that came with the Rapido couplers, you’ve got two options, depending on your skill level:

  1. Replace the trucks with those containing knuckle-style couplers, such as Micro-Trains. Micro-Trains sells a wide variety of trucks, and they all come with adapters to allow them to be fitted to most cars.

  2. Cut the rapido couplers off and replace with body-mount couplers. Micro-Trains body mount couplers are available in 10-pair packs, but require some assembly.

That’s my [2c] anyway. Hope it helps.

Cheers,

tbdanny

3

Thanks for advice! Any takes on metal vs. plastic trucks? local HS telling me not to bother with plastic.

4

All my rolling stock has plastic trucks - I don’t think I’ve heard of metal trucks, other than on brass models. If they’re talking about plastic vs. metal wheelsets (i.e. the wheels and axles), then I’d go with metal - I’ve found my rolling stock have improved their running capabilities since I upgraded to metal wheelsets.

5

Hi,

First welcome and good luck whith all your model railroad projects.

Check this forum, may be one of three page before and you will find several post about N scale trucks and wheels including suggestion about couplers and uncouplers.

Marc

6

Thanks for the help!!