McHenry N scale couplers

[loyalton]

I had been holding off until DKS got his NZT coupler into production, but unfortunately, it looks as if that will never happen.  Now I'm back to putting on 903's on everything I can, and they are fully compatible with MTL N-scale couplers so I can easily run them together without even thinking about it.

Sounds familiar! 903s also seem to work better with everything else, perhaps due to body coupling them. For those wondering, there's typically no need to adjust the trip pin length on the 903. I still haven't got down to cutting off trip pins, period.

The only thing with 903s is that, if you run cars all weighted to NMRA specs, your train limit is about 50-60 cars. The acetyl plastic is soft enough so the coupler flexes open (but doesn't break). So, use mid-train and/or end helpers as in the proto world.

[Bill H]

Group;
Getting back to the OP, the only problem I have had with them is the lack of a coupler box. Short of using brass rectangular tubing, there is little you can do but drop them into Bachmann or potentially some of the old IM boxes. Has anybody checked if they fit the IM boxes? I would convert most of my MTs just to lose the slinky effect...

Best,
Bill

[nkalanaga]

I've used the 903s on Atlas ore cars, and a 30 car train works fine.  The locos and caboose use MT N couplers, with no problems, so I'll agree with Robert.  If you want scale working couplers, the 903 are probably as close as you'll get.

As for McHenrys in an Intermountain box, I haven't tried it, but Accumates didn't work.  The post was just a little too large, and the coupler wouldn't turn.  One could ream out the holes in the couplers, but that would be tedious, not to mention weakening the coupler.

[hminky]

The McHenry mounting hole is a loose clearance fit for a #0 screw.

Harold