N scale coupler question

[jmchevy]

Ive begun to buy used n scale equipment in order to build a small layout. 1992 was the last time I had a layout in this scale. I see that the Rapido style couplers are not the standard anymore, although most of my used cars have them. What new style coupler would you guys recommend? I really am trying to get by on tight budget. Thanks!

 

[LoudMusic]

If budget is the key ingredient I'd suggest Rapido. You could probably get a train load for a nickle as everyone else discards them.

If you want something that's actually worth having I'd go with Kadee style couplers. Made famous in HO scale they make N scale now and it's my understanding they're pretty great.

 

[RW&C]

Most of the N scale knuckles will work with each other. Atlas uses Accumates, which look pretty decent and work. Micro Trains couplers don't look quite as nice but work just fine. I haven't tried the Kato couplers with the trip pins, but the dummy ones aren't worth messing with. And the BS that Roundhouse calls a knuckle won't even connect to itself.

The advantage over Rapido (besides looking loads better) is that they can be uncoupled magnetically and pushed into spurs etc without needing a ramp or anything. The uncouplers can be a little fiddly to get working. Some people don't bother with magnets, and use shishkebab sticks to unhook the couplers.

 

[MRLdave]

If you are just putting trains together and running them around the layout, I'd leave your old cars as is (at least for now). If you are planning on doing operations (switching, ect.) then you really need to switch over to one of the knuckle couplers. Since most new equipment will have knuckle type couplers, you'll need to build a few "adapter cars", which is a car with a Rapido on one end and a knuckle coupler on the other. Again if you are just running trains, you can buy unimate couplers, which must be coupled manually, but that doesn't matter if you are just assembling trains and letting them run. The advantage of the unimates is cost.......you can usually get enough for 4 cars for about $5 or less. The other advantage is the unimates are a direct replacement for Rapido couplers....they snap right into the same mount.

At some point you'll want to switch over to knuckles, but unimates and adapter cars will get you up and running for the least money. When you start swapping to knuckles, Atlas Accumates will usually be the cheapest......the main problem I've had with those is the metal pin on the couplers usually disappears (falls out) which stops them from uncoupling magnetically, but doesn't effect them otherwise. Micro-trains are what most people prefer, and are always a good choice, but also usually the most costly. McHenrys seem to work well, and fall in the middle price-wise, but are also a little more delicate. Overall, they all work and they work with each other, so go with what you can get cheapest.

 

[jmchevy]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I think the rapidos or unimates would work since on my past layouts I usually just liked to watch the trains run and never did much switching. (I always liked the building part the best). I do think Ill make some adaptor cars and equip some with accumates so I can switch remotely if the mood hits. My last layout was an HO scale back in 2000, so Im sort of starting over again.

By the way, has the quality of Bachman diesel N locos improved any? I remember having trouble with those back in the day.

 

[MRLdave]

Bachmanns diesels are much better than the old days, but still a little behind some of the other brands........but that's changing pretty quickly too.......There was a big turnover with the companies making our train stuff overseas. Right now the company that owns Bachmann is the major manufacturer.....so all your Atlas, Athearn, Bachmann, ect stuff is coming out of the same factory. It's only logical to give your own stuff priority over "the other guys", so I expect Bachmann will be equal or better very soon. They are already leading the way with dual-mode DCC decoders on their new locos, and their steam engines are probably the best out there (not perfect, but better than almost everything else)

Bachmann is still selling some of their old designs.....they've improved them, but the way to go is with the new designs like the GP's and the new RS's that have the dual mode decoders. The decoder is the way to tell "old" from "new".