Trainworx N-scale Mini-89 (M89) Coupler Testing

[Mark5]

The trailer announcement led me to this:

Need more info (pix from the top, etc) but sounds promising!

Mark

[ednadolski]

So the only M89-to-M89 is the one at 1:37?   (And the rest are a demonstration of compatibility I presume.)    Interesting that one hardly has any bounce, compared to the others.

The 1 locos equivalent to 24 cars may be appropriate for straight/level track, but with grades & curves my rule of thumb for a Kato CC diesel was more like half that (assuming all metal wheels and low flanges).  Anything that can slip 10 locos would probably stringline on most layout curves.

Size-wise tho, they don't appear to be much smaller than any of the others.

(Notice too, how the MT did a little slinky as soon as the train started up.)

Ed

[EspeeGoldenState]

Size-wise tho, they don't appear to be much smaller than any of the others.

Ed

My thoughts too, looked pretty much the same size as all of them. Though, there was no ScaleTrains couplers tested,  but we all kinda know how well those work.

I don't understand for yet another coupler type in the market?

Chris

[peteski]

Yes, the variety of (oversize) N scale knuckle coupler is surprising (especially since MTL had one for many decades, and it works very well).

Now a smaller, and more prototypical-looking coupler that actually works would be most welcome (even if it was not compatible with the oversize couplers).  I realize that MTL makes a correctly sized coupler, but I wouldn't call it a "working" coupler.

[jpwisc]

It looks smaller to me. Even if it’s only a 10% size reduction it’s a step in the right direction. I’m glad to see Pat adding some innovation to the market.

[Mark5]

It looks smaller to me.

Yes, smaller. The video doesn't reveal much but I can tell that they are a bit smaller.

The announcement alluded to this:
   -If you prefer the larger couplers, I still have a stock of the assembled under frames with
          trucks, Fox Valley metal wheels and the larger couplers in black and mineral red.
          Part #4003, $5.95 each (not packaged for retail sale)

[muktown128]

Somebody failed math.  6 x 24 does not equal 146 

[wazzou]

Somebody failed math.  6 x 24 does not equal 146 

And English, on the spelling of "Special".   


It definitely appears some factor of smaller, for sure.

[ednadolski]

One other point about the strength test.   To me at least the result does not seem all that impressive.   I recall testing the LEZ coupler by using one to vertically lift a 10-ounce weight, and it held up fine.  So I would expect a larger coupler to be able to do substantially more.  You would need to gang up a lot of n-scale locomotives to pull with enough force to induce a failure of the plastic. 

Ed

[daniel_leavitt2000]

If they are dirt cheap, I could see myself getting a lot of them to add body mounted couplers to my older cars.

[peteski]

It looks smaller to me. Even if it’s only a 10% size reduction it’s a step in the right direction. I’m glad to see Pat adding some innovation to the market.

MTL Z scale couplers are smaller than regular N scale couplers, and they also couple to the N scale ones.

I liked the Arnold coupler they used in the S-1 switcher, but it was only included with the model. No way to buy large quantity to convert your fleet of cars.  Plus it dint; work well with MTL N scale couplers without a slight modification.

Then there was the DKS' coupler, but that doesn't seem to be a viable option either.

[ednadolski]

Then there was the DKS' coupler, but that doesn't seem to be a viable option either.

It was patented (https://www.freepatentsonline.com/20130256254.pdf)  but never produced.

Ed

[peteski]

It was patented (https://www.freepatentsonline.com/20130256254.pdf)  but never produced.

Ed

Exactly. 

[nkalanaga]

Peteski:  I'd love to see MT market versions of their Z coupler designed for N scale.  It wouldn't be hard to put the coupler itself on 1015 and/or 1025 shanks, and they'd be direct replacements for the (probably millions) of N couplers already out there.

[Teditor]

With wisker springing like the newer Kadee HO Scale ones.
Teditor