Couplers

[Kisatchie]

After all the bad press micro-trains couplers (slinky effect) and Accumates (exploding, pin-falling out) get, I was just wondering what all us  's use. Oh, almost forgot Bachmann's giant N scale couplers and McHenry's weird couplers.


Hmm... I use wads of
bubble gum...

[davefoxx]

I generally use whatever comes with the rolling stock, but my preference is Accumate.  I have never had a couple explode, and I remove the trip pins.  Since they do come out so easily, I only have to pinch the coupler to remove the pin, rather than cut off the pins, like MTs.  As you indicated, no slinky effect with the Accumates.

DFF

[ednadolski]

After all the bad press micro-trains couplers (slinky effect) and Accumates (exploding, pin-falling out) get, I was just wondering what all us  's use. Oh, almost forgot Bachmann's giant N scale couplers and McHenry's weird couplers.

For anyone interested in exploring other ("some assembly required") options: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=21980.0

Ed

[Philip H]

I have a mix of MT, Accumate, and now some of the z scale Bowser Buckler couplers that Gary Hinshaw turned me on to.  on a switching layout I don't worry about slinky, and like DFF I have yet to have anything explode on me.

[peteski]

Ms. Dee:  this poll should have more choices (like McHenry and Z scale couplers).

I was planning on redoing the coupler writeup I did several years ago on the Atlas forum (adding the giant Bachmann and Z-scale MT couplers for comparison) and posting it here.   I'll get to that some day....

As far as slinky MT couplers go, I suspect that the bad-mounthing is done by few very vocal modelers (while the silent majority uses and loves MT couplers).

[DKS]

As far as slinky MT couplers go, I suspect that the bad-mounthing is done by few very vocal modelers (while the silent majority uses and loves MT couplers).

I don't know. You may be right; however, whenever I ask someone I encounter in person about coupler preferences, it seems roughly 4 out of 5 grudgingly "endure" the slinky effect in order to reap the other benefits of MTL couplers. Only one acquaintance of mine "loves" MTL couplers. And so far I've not encountered anyone who "loves" or even "likes" Accumates.

[peteski]

Ok David, maybe I was being overly optimistic.    Of all the current choices I would say that I love MT couplers, as I have not been impressed with any of the new knuckle couplers (especially disappointing to me was McHenry).  But once your couplers come out, who knows....

[Kisatchie]

Ms. Dee:  this poll should have more choices (like McHenry and Z scale couplers).

Hmm... I told Kiz to add
Bachmann, McHenry, and
MT Z scale couplers to the
poll, but would Kiz listen?
Noooo...

[EspeeGoldenState]

I can't say I have ever liked Accumates. Specially considering I run longer trains and they always are the ones that break. I run Micro-Trains on most everything. Only things I have not changed over are the Kato passenger cars and passenger locomotives.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I don't know. You may be right; however, whenever I ask someone I encounter in person about coupler preferences, it seems roughly 4 out of 5 grudgingly "endure" the slinky effect in order to reap the other benefits of MTL couplers. Only one acquaintance of mine "loves" MTL couplers. And so far I've not encountered anyone who "loves" or even "likes" Accumates.

I like em. A good bit, actually. Why? Because even when they "explode", due to their lack of tiny springs, reassembly can be done without any tools. This is very helpful at NTRAK shows.

[Wardie]

I am not overly fond of any of the choices out there, If I didn't buy it with Rapidos it has whatever came on it. Locomotives that came with Rapidos were replaced with MT's, mostly 1015's, recently a few Z scale couplers. Rolling stock has been replaced based on the most accurate truck replacement, which has meant MT's for most passenger cars and a large number of my old Rapido freight trucks were replaced with accumates. Right now everything is on hold awaiting a better, mostly meaningy closer to scale, option.
The failures I have had over the years have been fairly evenly spread among brands, a few exploding accumates, a couple exploding MT's, some warped trucks on Athearn and exactrail. I have had some Katos that were very difficult to couple together, but once coupled have done well.
Right now if I had to buy replacements I would be more likely to buy Accumates then MT's for rolling stock, I really don't like huge gaps, and those are easier to control with Accumates.

[Alwyn Cutmore]

I suppose it is a loyalty thing. I have used MTL couplers all my N Scale modelling life since they were first discovered and will not use anything else. The slinky thing is just something that we get over and wait for the time when MTL comes up with a new more exciting product.
Regards

Al 

[SP-Wolf]

Rolling stock- (frt)-100% MT. Passenger- Kato=Kato. The balance-MT. Locomotives-hood units and steam--MT. E's, F's, FA's and PA's front- MT. Rear- combo of Unimate and MT (for closer coupling). Accumates are in the parts bin.

My 2 pennies,
Wolf

[UP4-8-8-4]

     All 700+ of my steamers, diesels and electrics all either use MT #1015's, other MTs or Unimates.
As far as the MTs holding together, my DM&IR Iron Ore consist of 160 cars hasn't any problems, as with my 60 car N&W 90ton Coal Drag and other long freights.
Unimates are best on Passenger sets, no need to break them down in a yard, same with Katos.



Ernie

[MVW]

Really like the MTs, BUT ...

When I first switched to N scale a couple years ago and started running trains, I was like, "What the hell is going on here?" I thought there was a truck/wheel problem with the caboose, or with some car near the end of the train. Or was that brand-new engine imperceptibly speeding up and slowing down?

It wasn't until I turned to the Intertubez that I learned about the dreaded "slinky effect."

So while I greatly appreciate MT's reliability and operability, the slinky thing is a definite bummer.

That being said, I ain't switching to anything else currently on the market. But I am interested in seeing what DKS has up his sleeve.

Jim