Preview of upcoming MTL True-Scale Coupler system

[bbussey]

Keep in mind guys that the primary purpose of this new coupler is to have one that is more prototypical in size without the oscillation, primarily for show-running and appearance purposes. It is not meant to replace the functionality of the original design. And to start, only equipment that utilizes (or can utilize) a standard 1015 or 1016 are candidates for installation. There also is no offset-shank version initially, so all equipment that utilize the 2001/2004/1019 couplers are not eligible (TOFCs, auto racks, cabooses), although I'm sure that is on the planning board if this initial release is a success.

The couplers do require a little more force to couple than the standard design, as Joe mentioned up thread, and there is no automatic uncoupling functionality, so functional "yard switching" may not be practical. But the coupling distance between equipment is about half the distance of the standard couplers. They also allow for close-coupling of multiple unit motive power instead of drawbars, which is a HUGE plus. They definitely close-couple Life-Like FAs, Kato Fs and InterMountain Fs, which means they're greatly will improve the distance on other large-gap MU combinations as well. That is the primary advantage I see on operating layouts.

[Denver Road Doug]

This is quite an interesting development.   My thoughts...
-Overall, I am extremely happy about this announcement.
-Five years ago, this would have been a godsend for me.  They fit my "m.o." perfectly...not a magno-guy, prefer close coupling/looks, prefer auto-*coupling*, prefer pick uncoupling.
-Now, as I'm moving away from N, it's sort of bittersweet.  Good news is, I'm still keeping a small contingent of N, so that makes conversion more likely.  Still, those piles of LEZ's that I have now will create pause.
-Any chance of a smaller Z version?   THAT would be sweetsweet.
-Immediately they would be candidates for my unit coal fleet.   Cars are "captive", and SD70MAC's are--practically speaking--"captive" as power.   Less cut and dried for other unit trains as the power changes more frequently, but the cars themselves would benefit, and utilize a converter car.
-Shelf coupler option would get me to convert 100%.  Still unsure why this isn't already a thing.
-Why are these not brown/rust colored?   I assume it's a cost thing?   I can't understand otherwise.   Is there some big major request for realistic-ish looking couplers that are black only?
-The elephant in the room is...how much do they cost?

[Lemosteam]

Ooh.  Will this be my K4 and M1a/b pilot coupler solution?

I doubt it.  A 1015 box will not fit in there, and I doubt the ring on the en will either.  Besides there already is a Keyston Details solution that folks are wild about! 

[C855B]

I doubt it.  A 1015 box will not fit in there, and I doubt the ring on the en will either.  Besides there already is a Keyston Details solution that folks are wild about! 

Shameless!    

[Cajonpassfan]

I'll be giving these a try. My biggest concern would be hands free coupling. Uncoupling is not an issue in most cases on my layout. So, when these are released I'll convert a handful of cars. Then go from there.

Don't over analyse it - just play through!!

Thanks, Joe and MT!!
Wolf

+1!
Otto

[amato1969]

Looks super promising, especially for locomotives and cabooses!

I'm looking forward to these.

  Frank

[cjm413]

Are these compatible with the MTL 903/905?

[JoeD]

Remember, this is just the start of what I hope is a bigger program.  That depends of course on how this is accepted and utilized in the market.  Face it, it took Peteski a few years to hone his craft and earn his moniker on Railwire, hopefully it won't take us as long  :  I'll look into the brown couplers.



Joe

[JoeD]

You can lodge them together but you couldn't do it hands free.

Joe

Are these compatible with the MTL 903/905?

[jcox3751]

From what I am reading is this coupler will not fit into an existing 1015 box. If yes, that leaves a lot of the newer body mount cars that have the box lid molded as part of the car very hard to impossible to convert.

What is the problem with having the coupler fit over the center pin in the 1015 box?

jcox3751

[wcfn100]

From what I see, the coupler pocket isn't all that integral to the operation of the coupler so I think solutions will be found for converting other equipment.

At first glance, I wonder if a new 1015 cover that has a coupler post on it would work with the 1015 screw hole/post being used for the the springs.

edit:

Would putting these two components into a new 1015 coupler lid (and removing them from the existing box) work to convert the 1015 box to the new coupler?





Jason

[coosvalley]

Remember, this is just the start of what I hope is a bigger program.  That depends of course on how this is accepted and utilized in the market.
Joe

If they cannot couple up with other brands, then I have to convert my whole fleet at once, and about a third of my fleet has factory body mounts, so I'm out, for now.....Dragging your heels coming up with a full range while seeing how well these sell will be self defeating....

Basically, if there are options, I will buy enough for my fleet. If this is it, then I won't buy any!.....Until I know that I can convert my whole fleet, I won't bother changing some and then hoping you make whats needed to convert the rest, meanwhile being stuck with a fleet cars with couplers that don't couple.

Brown would be the best color( To me this is a huge "duh"), but black would hide the lack of any detail better

[jagged ben]

Jason, details to be determined, I completely endorse that line of thinking.  Something that would convert the box on all those manufacturer's i mentioned above.  And if MT is serious about this taking off there will also need to be a 1023/25/truckmount lid that is similar, and also a 2004/1019  underslung type.  Not all at once, but quickly enough to support those who decide after a bit of experimenting that they'd like to convert whole hog.

[Chris333]

The problem with brown couplers is they are shiny and need painted anyways.

[hminky]

As far as putting them into an existing coupler box:



All that would be needed is a new lug at "1" and maybe a protuberance at "2" in the old coupler box.

Since all the available couplers fit in the 1015/1016 box:

McHenry:



Bachmann:



So the coupler box geometry is basically the same.

Harold