N scale (Bowser) PRR question...

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Guys,

I’ve got a Bowser PRR N5 cabin car on my Christmas list. Just wondering why they don’t come standard with the Micro-Trains (or similar) couplers??? I would think for $24 bucks you would get them. I support American made products where I can (hard in this hobby to find) so I’m willing to pay a few extra $$$ They seem pretty specialized, you’d think they would come with better couplers.

Any thoughts?

----Rob

2

You could go to Pennsylvania, and march in front of the Bowser offices in protest, or…

Pay a few more bucks for some MT 1015’s and install them in about 45 seconds.

One of the problems I’ve heard manufacturer’s face with MT is that they don’t give very good quantity price breaks to supply their couplers.

It’s been a while since did the installation on mine, but I don’t remember it being especially difficult…

Lee

3

Bowser is a small enough operation that it would be cost prohibitive for them to enter into a licensing agreement with Accumate the way Atlas and Athearn have. I don’t think MicroTrains allows other companies to distribute products with their couplers.

4

That makes sense…I am more than happy to install my own and am glad I learned a quick lesson about the hobby business. Sometimes the customer (me) doesn’t take the time to do his research before opening a thread and then sounds like a person on a rant. Sorry for that post sounding like a complaint or slam against Bowser, I didn’t mean for it to be…

Thanks ----Rob

5

Red Caboose comes with MicroTrains trucks and couplers…I think…

David B

6

For awhile Intermountain did, too. I believe the first run of 1937 AAR boxes had them, with lo-pro wheels, no less.

Atlas also released a couple of caboose models with them, and the shay comes with MT’s.

Bowser probably can’t afford MT’s price, or figures that buyers who are serious enough to select their products are probably willing and able to make the swap on their own.

Lee

7

Is this recent? I have a bunch of Red Caboose X29s that came with the big honking Rapidos and dummy knuckles to replace them. I’ve had to do the MT conversions myself.