Food Fight

[DKS]

They're slinging pies over at TrainBoard in a row between Micro-Brains versus AZL couplers...

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/forumdisplay.php?f=171

[3rdrail]

I've got to agree with those that say if it doesn't uncouple automatically without picking up the car or using a pick, it ain't a working coupler.

[DKS]

I've got to agree with those that say if it doesn't uncouple automatically without picking up the car or using a pick, it ain't a working coupler.

True enough, it is not a working coupler. But I'll argue back that it's still a "coupler." What about the ones that Kato makes for N scale? Have there been arguments like this over what to call them? Anyway, Lajos is known for making incendiary remarks, so one must consider the source. And notice no one is rushing to agree with him.

[Chris333]

I cut my trip pins off so either coupler might work for me, but AZL made the coupler box stick out too far just like MT did. So lets say I did buy these AZL trucks, I would need to body mount 905's anyways...

[Sokramiketes]

Well, assuming the new "auto-latch" coupler will actually couple when the cars are bumped together, then how is it not operating?  Non-operating in my mind would be the PM/Red Caboose Unimate couplers, where you have to physically lift the couplers over each other to connect.

Magnetic Uncoupling is a feature that "operating couplers" may or may not have.  Arguing the inverse is like saying my automobile doesn't operate because it's missing a feature like cruise control.  It still operates, just doesn't have a feature.

Anyway, Joe seems to get a free pass over there.  Attacks on Rob of AZL after Rob only talked about the design features of the AZL coupler and didn't even mention or blast MTL in the thread...  And Joe was pretty much making up pad printing techniques in the thread about the Z scale passenger cars.  40 something hits to print a dome car roof?  HA.  Almost wish I could still post over there...

It's been good entertainment lately though.

[Sokramiketes]

Oh, and from the thread title I thought that George Johnson's movie was finally coming out!

[tom mann]

I would like to see a good, clear, close up photo of the truck and coupler.  AZL's rolling bearing trucks lack detail.

[DKS]

I would like to see a good, clear, close up photo of the truck and coupler.  AZL's rolling bearing trucks lack detail.

This will have to do for now (photo by Rob Kluz), until I get my hands on some.

[tom mann]

hmmm...they look a lot bigger in that photo.  I wonder which is correct?

[DKS]

hmmm...they look a lot bigger in that photo.  I wonder which is correct?

I'm not positive, but I think they're both oversized. When I get some of the AZLs, I'll break out the calipers.

[bambuko]

They are both more suitable for N than for Z  ;D
As a "runner" rather than "operator" I prefer AZL
Magnetic uncoupling for me was a feature I have never used anyway, so rather than compare AZL to MTL, I am glad that we now have yet another option.
The market will decide which one is better (unless you are one of Marklin fanboyz, who think that world should stand still  ???)
I hope that the discussion here will not be stifled/locked, as it was on the Trainboard, in a vain attempt to keep the world "nice and friendly" 

[Ryan87]

Do they sell just the couplers? I'd like to see what they look like on a N scale model... Get a scale...ish coupler and move away from the Micro-Trains look that screams N scale...

[bambuko]

Well, people have used Z couplers on N scale models many times before (looked great at least as far as I was concerned)
The advantage of using AZL Z scale couplers would be (assuming that you are not into "operations") the fact that they are likely to be more robust than MTL
And, no afaik they (AZL) do not sell couplers alone - the only ones they have come on the trucks they sell (which is a shame  )

[Ryan87]

damn...
I think they would have a better appearance then the 905's which don't look like prototype couplers to me at least...

hmmm... anybody have some they cut off and want to get rid of?

[DKS]

Just to torture you some more, here's what an AZL coupler looks like in N scale...



Compare to the 905:



One problem, aside from not being available on their own: there's no hole in the AZL coupler pocket, as on M-Ts, so they'd have to be glued to the frame (or some other means of attachment devised).