Alternative N scale couplers

You could use Micro-Trains magnetic couplers, which are the N-scale equivalent of Kadees (they were originally made by Kadee, until they were hived off into a separate company). Their web page is

a list of dealers in the UK (or "England" as they call it) is at list of dealers in Scotland is out-of-date, as Mac's Models have ceased trading):

Off-the-shelf or DIY? I'm using DG couplings

MBQ

History of N-Scale couplers (from US perspective)

The "clunky" couplers are called "Arnold" couplers after the originator of N-scale. "It may not look anything like a coupler on a real train but it has been a reliable standard for over 30 years."

Pictures of other European couplers:

Kurzkupplung (short couplers) is the most widely used alternative (at least on the continent). Home made short couplings: For unit trains you could consider fixed couplings:

- Hammerschmid Kurzkupplungsdeichseln

- Fleischmann-Kuppelstange

- Tillig TT-Steifkupplung (cheap and effective)

For US couplers: of MTL (Micro Trains Line) couplers: is RDA:

Off the shelf please, ideally a direct replacement for the standard device. I'm strictly a ready-to-run man y'see :-)

Having said that, the S&W couplers do look neat.

Farish have developed a coupler that will fit their models.

Fred X

In addition you may find the latest issue of "N'spirations" (number 3) by Grahame Hedges price 2 UKP plus postage from Osborns Models

of interest as it has an article on N gauge uncouplers with a brief overview of most of the alternatives including some Japanese ones from Tomix.

When I started in European N scale in 1967 Arnold Rapido had been using the Rapido coupler for four or five years, Minitrix for two or three years, and Lima had just started using the Arnold coupler after having used a scaled-down version of the Märklin H0 coupler.

So actually the Arnold coupler is about 48 or 49 years old.

Presumably that was written about 15 years ago?

"Eventually, by 1964, Arnold rapido equipment came equipped with the coupler that we now know as the ?Rapido Coupler?."

And more about couplers in:

Standards) About Arnold:

Mac's web site is still up and seemingly responsive.

Are you thinking of Mackay's? They went under after the death of the proprietor.

MBQ

Which is, indeed, over 30 years.

MBQ

That's not the Mac's web site as it used to be. Mac ceased trading because he retired. It seems that the business has been sold on. Good luck to them.

No. They were different organisations. I bought a lot of stuff from Mac's, including some rather nice brass models. Mackay's were the main importers of Lenz into the UK.

Ah. From Model Rail Forum:

Macs Model Railroading opened its new retail premises (following relocation under a new owner Ian Sangster and major refurbishment of retail premises in Kirriemuir) on Monday 25 May 2009 at

4 / 9 Reform Street, Kirriemuir Angus Scotland

Telephone number is 01575 572397

HTH

Ah, I thought. That booklet from Osborns is just what I need. At least, it was until they said that there minimum order price was £10 which with postage makes it more expensive than most hardback books. Anyone know a more customer friendly place that has it?

I managed to add 1 to the shopping cart.

MBQ

In article , Tinkerer writes

You obviously don't buy many hardback books then.

David

Sorry I hadn't realised Osborns had started doing that. I normally order more than 10 UKP of stuff from them.

You could try ordering from Grahame direct. It might be best to send him an e-mail first.

His details are: e-mail: snipped-for-privacy@ntlworld.com

Postal address: Mr G. Hedges , 19 Grssmere Way , Byfleet , Surrey , KT14 7BX

Both are printed in the booklet so I don't hink I've broken any rules by posting them here.