Preview of upcoming MTL True-Scale Coupler system

[learmoia]

So thinking more on my previous stupid idea..

If you developed a 1015 lid with the scale coupler post that sits flush against the top of the 1015 box, you'll have your 1015 conversion done. the only thing left is the hole in the pocket to accept the mounting post if it extends I to the pocket to secure the post from lateral movement on long trains.

Or for your initial release.. if you put the post on the flat plate and the hole in the pocket. (Reverse of what you have now).. the. You can use the top plate as your 1015 lid..

But a true snap on 1015 lid would be ideal.  ~IAN

[nscaleSPF2]

Me like these, Shipsure. 
Gimme 100 pcs, short shank.  No, 200 pcs, 100 black and 100 brown short shank. 
Don't care how much they cost, as long as they are less than the 905's.

[ridinshotgun]

I like them and it is a great idea. 

Too bad though that they aren't compatible with any other couplers because that means I won't be using them.  I am not going to retro fit several hundred cars and won't be using any conversion cars to run them just so I can remember where I put that car every time I need it.  Heck I am just about finished converting all my odd ball accumate couplers and switching directions just isn't in the cards.

[peteski]

I like them and it is a great idea. 

Too bad though that they aren't compatible with any other couplers because that means I won't be using them

The problem is that because of its shape and size, a close-to-scale coupler cannot couple to the existing N scale couplers. No way around that. We can't have a cake and eat it to.

[hminky]

They should couple with other couplers.

In my 1870's HO applications the N-scale McHenry's and Bachmanns couple with full size Bachmann HO EZ-mates , Accumate Proto:HO and Accumate standards.

The N-scale couplers being an HO scale size for the MCB coupler.

Harold

[ljudice]

The problem is that because of its shape and size, a close-to-scale coupler cannot couple to the existing N scale couplers. No way around that. We can't have a cake and eat it to.

One solution is migrate general freight over first - and leave unit train cars alone, as they would not mingle....

[GaryHinshaw]

MTL has the ability to mainline these new couplers, and allow the progress to follow.  Probably no other company could have started this revolution.  I hope it takes hold like we all think it might.

This.  Kudos to MTL for trying to take a renewed leadership role in N scale. 

The more I think about the implementation, the more I'm convinced that some form of cross compatibility in the mounting hardware (for new style vs. 1015's) is important.  Otherwise, what spec is a manufacturer of new rolling stock supposed to design to?

Edit - I'm okay with operational incompatibility of the couplers, but it would be very awkward if manufacturers felt they had to accommodate two incompatible draft gear designs.

[Cajonpassfan]

They should couple with other couplers.

Harold

The whole point of a True scale coupler is for it to be, well, close to true scale for those of us who care about such things. You can't have it mate with other oversize knuckle couplers any more than you can couple MT's with Rapidos.
If you design it to couple with other knuckles, you have to compromise the scale size and have yet another oversize coupler; why bother.
Otto

[ridinshotgun]

The problem is that because of its shape and size, a close-to-scale coupler cannot couple to the existing N scale couplers. No way around that. We can't have a cake and eat it to.

The arnold coupler you posted earlier, how far out of scale is that?  That one is compatible with other couplers correct?  I would like to see some side by side photos of the new coupler, a current MT and the new arnold coupler (which looks fine to me but I am not a river counter) to see the size difference.

Regardless it is not a universal coupler that can be used for all cars and as someone said that is OK if you run unit trains but that is rare for me.  I run mostly manifest freights with the rare coal drag.

[Kentuckian]

I like what I see so far, too. Thanks for the heads up, Shipsure, as I am in the process of lowering my micro trains flats and gons.

[chessie system fan]

     This is definitely my product of the year and I can't wait to get my hands on some.   Here's my thoughts.

1.  A 1015 style coupler like you made is a great place to start.  That gets you locomotives and a good chunk of available cars out there.  What would be more beneficial to me is freight car pockets that are as scale as possible.    It still looks kind of odd in your photo  compared to the real thing.   Another reason I want a scale pocket is for cars that ride too high and need to be lowered.  A 1015 pocket obviously won't work there.

2.  What will get me even  more excited is cushioned draft gear.  I've been wanting to  model 50' boxcars from the sixties that are over 60' including the couplers for years and years.

3.  Those brake hoses look fantastic.   I hope they get offered separately.

4.   Ever since the beginning of the scale,  the MT coupler height gauge has been the standard by which everything else is compared.  This new coupler system is so different that I think it requires a new height gauge.

5.  I think these couplers will make most  currently available locomotive snow plows look really hideous.   They all have cutouts for the oversize couplers!

[Mike C]

I like them , and am waiting to give them a tryout !  If nothing else it get's rid of the slinky effect and makes the coupling distance much better . It will work for me , as I am primarily a runner and not a switcher . I think I can figure out how to mount em on 40 or so cars ......Mike

[tom mann]

Unless these explode and start a fire Samsung-style, I'll vote for them for product of the year.

[Denver Road Doug]

Unless these explode and start a fire Samsung-style, I'll vote for them for product of the year.

We already have exploding couplers...they're called Accumates.       Thought you knew.

Hopefully that "feature" is not included with the MTL True-Scale coupler.

(and who spells Tru with an E anymore?  Micro-Trains can't get anything right.)

[chessie system fan]

I'd love to see a picture of one on a locomotive.