What Micro Trains coupler for Kato NW2?

[Caddy58]

Here is what I did to mount Z-Scale couplers to the Kato NW2:

Remove the Kato coupler; you will have a flat pad with a small hole:


I used the screws MT provides with the Z-Scale coupler to mount the coupler to the engine. I did not tap the hole, the screw will basically self-tap.

The coupler is slightly bend sideways in the picture which happend in storage. I could rotate it back to straight with a little finger pressure.

Front view
https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/d4381198-88fb-44cb-a41d-c3e88a7ef4b5.142790/full

Coupler height: it sits a tad too high, which has never caused any operational issues and could easily be corrected by adding a small shim between coupler and engine.
https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/5ff1b087-a15f-48c8-8d14-8909472cf561.142789/full

I did not try 1023/1025, so I cannot comment on those.

Cheers
Dirk

[Albert in N]

   The skinny 1025-1 (formerly 1023) MTL couplers will work to convert couplers on some Kato diesels.  I did this successfully on my Kato SD70M but only after filing off the excess plastic coupler box to shorten the length of 1025-1.  It looks like this would also work on Kato NW2 switchers per the following photos.  However 1025-1 couplers (without filing or clipping the box length) are long enough to interfere with the wheel trucks turning.  Note that the MTL suggested 2004-1 box is slim enough to also easily fit into the Kato clip on coupler box fastener.  The 1015-1 box is wider and thicker necessitating a little filing on the Kato plastic end frame plus screwing on the MTL coupler.  If you use the MTL screw, you will need to shorten it or it will show through the Kato end walkways.  It sure would be nice if MTL provided an assembled straight shank 1015-1 coupler inside of the 2004-1 box!

[nkalanaga]

The 903 really should have a shim, as the box is thinner than the 1025.  0.010 inch is what I usually use, when I use the 903 on a standard gauge model, but some have worked better with 0.015.  Keeping a package of both in 3/16 inch strips is handy, as that matches the width of the 1025 box.

[robert3985]

I agree that shimming the 903 is important.  I do a lot of 903 conversions and shimming to get them the correct height is easy.  Also, 903 height is important if longer trains are to be pulled...maybe not so important when switching, but miss-matched 903's can be troublesome if they're the only coupler being used.  Larger N-scale couplers will compensate somewhat for 903's not being the correct height, but not another 903.

I shim mine with various thicknesses of sheet Styrene and then paint the visible parts to match the car or engine.  Only takes a few minutes and well worth it IMO.

Photo (1) - Here's a shimmed 903 installed on one of my LL SW-9's:


Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Dwight in Toronto]

The lack of standardization with respect to N scale couplers drives me right around the bend.  I try to retrofit as much rolling stock as possible with MT assemblies, but I prefer to retain the OEM couplers on long “one make” passenger trains.

Just last night, I finished crafting and mounting my own diy led/flicker-free coach lighting strip inside a Kato Morning Daylight passenger car.  My Rapido “Canadian” F9 was readily available to give it a test whirl, but there was no way the Rapido coupler was ever going to mate with the Kato unit. Even trying to do it with gentle lifting/twisting contortions was so uncooperative that I said screw it, and brought around a Kato loco instead.

The lighting install worked magnificently, but the lack of coupler compatibility left me fuming!  It’s too bad every manufacturer smugly feels that their coupler design/selection is the best.

[peteski]

The lack of standardization with respect to N scale couplers drives me right around the bend.  I try to retrofit as much rolling stock as possible with MT assemblies, but I prefer to retain the OEM couplers on long “one make” passenger trains.

LOL!  But there is a standard for N scale couplers.  It is used worldwide (except for USA). It is called "rapido coupler"! 
The models already come equipped with those couplers, so no retrofitting is needed.
Actually most European manufacturers even standardized the the coupler receptacle and the coupler shank, so couplers can be easily changed if needed.

I know, that does you no good for those Amurican knuckle couplers, but I just wanted to mention that there is a standard.

On a serious note, there sort of a standardization of the N scale knuckle couplers (like their height, etc), but there is also such a thing as crappy or poorly designed  MT-compatible couplers.   When the MTL's patent expired, bunch of compares started producing their version of knuckle couplers (with various success rates you are witnessing).

[Maletrain]

Standards?  Still hoping for Protomate couplers.  Not a fan of slinky effects, but MicroTrains seems like the best option at the current time.

[Jbub]

Standards?  Still hoping for Protomate couplers.  Not a fan of slinky effects, but MicroTrains seems like the best option at the current time.

I'm holding out for these as well. @Lemosteam any update you can share with us on them?

[Dwight in Toronto]

LOL!  But there is a standard for N scale couplers.  It is used worldwide (except for USA). It is called "rapido coupler"! 

Oh, I am thoroughly familiar with the old, original rapido coupler. My very first N scale train set that I requested for my 16th birthday (50 years ago) was an Aurora Postage Stamp set with those couplers. I still have those pieces of rolling stock!  Yes, it’s the dozens of knuckle coupler varieties that have cropped up that just screams silliness!

[Lemosteam]

I'm holding out for these as well. @Lemosteam any update you can share with us on them?

@Jbub ,

There are some investments to make to find a spring supplier. As I stated many months ago, this will be a long drawn out development process, finding suppliers, tooling and development testing. As such I cannot provide specific timing, but what I can say, is that I will see this into production.