Preview of upcoming MTL True-Scale Coupler system

[Missaberoad]

Peter ( @peteski  ), depends on what you mean by "...cannot couple..." as this photo illustrates...

...and this one...

Just sayin'

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

I think the operative phrase in all this is existing N scale couplers implying existing oversized N scale couplers.

Joe said up thread that they will mate but not automaticaly couple with 903/905 z scale couplers, so one could surmise that they could mate with LEZ, AZL or some scale sized dummy couplers. Automatic coupling is out obviously but at least there should be some compatibility.

[sirenwerks]

I'm in the boat that won't be joining this band.  As I move ever closer to abandoning air-modeling, anything I do will have a significant amount of switching, including making and remaking power lash-ups during "operating sessions".  While an uncoupling tool is not out of the question, I like the idea of magnetic uncoupling in hard to reach spots, if at all possible, and I want to keep my hands off my models as much as possible no matter what, once I've spent time getting them to operative and aesthetic condition.  They do look nice though and I applaud MTL for taking this step.  I just hope it doesn't stop anyone from pushing over the last hurdle of beauty and functionality.

[Scottl]

It would be interesting to have a poll on how many people actually use magnetic uncoupling vs sticks.  I suspect there are quite a few. 

Still, this announcement and product is clearly for people looking for fidelity at the expense of some functionality.

[Philip H]

Even if you have a lot of switching these could still be used for creating blocks of cars where industries call for them. At earns new Tank Train leaps immediately to mind.

[Kisatchie]

If I can't convert MTL truck mounted couplers to these new scale couplers, and if I need to manually couple single cars like I can with regular MTL couplers, then I won't be buying. Sorry, MTL.


Hmm... within the next
20 years, I will have
developed the perfect
scale coupler... stay
tuned...

[jdcolombo]

Kudos to MT for finally addressing the last eyesore in N scale: the oversized coupler.  Though my initial reaction was "no way am I going to convert 300 cars," in fact, I probably will.  I have never used magnetic uncoupling, so that isn't an issue: I specifically built my layout so that all the switching areas could easily be reached for using a Rix-like uncoupling tool.  If the only issue is that you can't couple a single car hands-free, that's a small price to pay for the vastly better size and looks.  Plus, it's like everything else: the hobby won't move forward unless some of us adopt this new coupler and start mainstreaming it. 

So . . . I'll be on board this train, both figuratively and literally.

John C.

[Missaberoad]

Plus, it's like everything else: the hobby won't move forward unless some of us adopt this new coupler and start mainstreaming it.
John C.

This! I'll be glad to be an early adopter and hope its a sign of things to come!
Fleet size isnt even an issue as far as I see, as equipment is weathered/detailed couplers will be added.

Yet to be converted equipment will either be run separate or kept off the layout. Plus side of having hundreds of cars, can easily have two fleets lol 

[djconway]

Here I go again?  1970 XF2 to Kay-Dee HO,  1973 Rapido to Kay-Dee, 2000 Atlas Accumate to Micro Trains (Kay-Dee after the split), 2010 Bachmann to Micro-Trains and so on, it contines today.

I've been swapping couplers for a long time - usually for better operations, I may not convert the fleet, but I'm game for a few.
 
My goal is operations - your goals may well be different - it's your railroad after all.

[peteski]

Peter ( @peteski  ), depends on what you mean by "...cannot couple..." as this photo illustrates...


Nope, they don't couple by simply pushing together, but they DO couple...like Unimates.

Just sayin'

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

Um Bob, that is a Z scale MTL coupler (not N)!    There are lots of N scale modelers out there who actually use N scale MTL couplers. 

[Ngineer]

I would buy these couplers for at least two different purposes:

a) For the Atlas iron ore hoppers. Close coupling them would look great. (And I still hope they, Atlas, will make a six or twelve pack of GN ore cars with the yellow end.)

b) For the MT F-units. Close coupling them would look great. (Did I mention this earlier?) I have the Red Caboose couplers, but can't figure out how to use them as they don't fit into the MT coupler pocket.

Perhaps thes new couplers would also work for the bathtub gondolas Kato has offered?

BTW, I wouldn't switch every coupler I have. I'd rather save some bucks for rolling stock being offered in the future as there is always something I like.

    Javier

[cjm413]

I would buy these couplers for at least two different purposes:

a) For the Atlas iron ore hoppers. Close coupling them would look great. (And I still hope they, Atlas, will make a six or twelve pack of GN ore cars with the yellow end.)

b) For the MT F-units. Close coupling them would look great. (Did I mention this earlier?) I have the Red Caboose couplers, but can't figure out how to use them as they don't fit into the MT coupler pocket.

Perhaps thes new couplers would also work for the bathtub gondolas Kato has offered?

BTW, I wouldn't switch every coupler I have. I'd rather save some bucks for rolling stock being offered in the future as there is always something I like.

    Javier

Assuming the MTL FT's use the 1015 coupler (like IMRC F's) the Unimates won't fit in the coupler box and would replace both the coupler and the coupler box.  The Unimates do help to close the gap between multiple units, but the lack of a coupler box means that they either need to be fixed in place or have the holes enlarged to allow a little more movement where these couplers would be a huge improvement over the Unimates.

[johnb]

I need to fix that roofwalk

[Missaberoad]

Oh man that's hot! I will definitely have to scratch build some coupler boxes but I like what I see so far!

[cjm413]

I need to fix that roofwalk

Is that a Model Power/Lima or Atlas/Rivarossi caboose?

[cjm413]

If anyone is looking for an excuse to put a pair of these couplers on a single FT-A, check out Georgia Northern 14 and GAS&C 16 here:

http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?locomotive=EMD%20FT(A)