To have your DCC engines run on DC, ask for DC tolerant chips.
To easily exchange chips and if you have the space, use harnesses and chips with pins.
To use power routing points, ask for chips that will not go to sleep on a dead siding.  Having had this happen with a pin type chip, substituting a Lenz Mini Gold was simple and the problem went away.
Perhaps buying chips is much of a get what you pay for situation.
For those of us who have seen the magic smoke, we can at least enjoy ABC's articulation of the phenomenon.

Thank you Mr. Bachman.  That's good news.
Cheers,
Keith

Dear Mr. Bach-man,
Could you please say what  'new knuckles' refers to in  'You can replace them with our new knuckles or Micro-trains couplers.'?
Thanks,
Keith

Dave, I agree with your August 16, 2010 comments.  A DCC activated engine coupler might be a bit better than the large staple.  Bachmann has a high quality product line to be proud of.  The emails from Dennis.Lovett@bachmann-europe.co.uk are very courteous and we are fortunate in being able to 'Ask the Bach Man'.  I will continue purchasing Graham Farish DCC engines and rolling stock while waiting for the NEM couplers.
All the best,
Keith

 

Dear ABC,
Thank you for your comments. Does their replication on the K4 topic imply their applicability, to some degree, to most replies to most topics? Note the HO K4 has magnetic couplers.

Having superb Graham Farish by Bachmann DCC engines degraded by toy train couplers is disappointing. I am continuing contact with Bachmann Europe as suggested by Mr Bach-man. The requirement seems to be an N scale version of
Product Code 78035, the E-Z Mate Mark II NEM Coupler,
www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=474

I believe the US availability of the NMRA couplers to US customers will help the momentum towards providing the NEM coupler.
Cheers,
Keith
 
 

Dear Stevep100,
Please take a look at the 'New auto coupler and Graham Farish' topic.
Cheers,
Keith

Dear Mr. Bach-man,
As a customer who would pay in advance for a K4 pacific, could I please ask you to  consider having a no promises on line K4 survey, possibly consisting of:-
Phase 1.  Ask the customers what issues and requirements should be in
                the survey, for example, DCC operated tender coupler, sound
                on board, minimum radius, etc.
Phase 2.  Have Bachmann experts build a list from this input
Phase 3.  Ask the customers to prioritize the list
Phase 4.  Collate and publish the results
Phase 5.  Have Bachmann experts assess the results and make recommendations.
Cheers,
Keith   

Dear Mr. Bach-man,
The convincing is a US matter concerning the availability of the NMRA  couplers in the US.
Regards,
Keith

Dear Dtpowell,
My spectacular Graham Farish by Bachmann BR Standard Class 4MT 2-6-0 engine pulls like an elephant, has the shunting crawl of a tortoise and very good reviews on page 10 of the 4/10 N Gauge Journal and page 559 of the July 2010 Railway Modeller, but is marred by having to drag around an extra truck which has a toy train coupler at one end and a magnetic coupler at the other.  All my rolling stock, including many Graham Farish items, has magnetic couplers.  In other words, we have the same problem that was solved in HO Scale years ago by Product Code 78035, the E-Z Mate Mark II NEM Coupler,
www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=474

Your topic, started nine days ago, already has had more than a hundred views.  The 'New N Scale coupler pics' topic, started on March 14, 2010, has had over a thousand views.  The 'N scale couplers' topic, started by Frankv on June 27, 2010, contains a same day response that includes 'Look for them soon at your dealer'. If only Mr. Bach-man could be convinced that making the NMRA automatic couplers available separately would be appreciated by many US customers and be part of the momentum towards solving our NEM problem.
All the best,
Keith

Dear Mr. Bach-man,
Could you please verify this means a different development path from the HO 78035 E-Z Mate Mark II NEM Coupler? 
Best regards,
Keith

The announcement for the Baldwin 4-6-0 includes E-Z Mate Mark II couplers.  These are NMRA type magnetic knuckle couplers that do not fit into the NEM pockets of the UK models.  A version is being worked on to fit the NEM pockets announced in September 2009.  The release seems to have four stages:-

NMRA available with or fitted to locomotives
NMRA available separately
NEM available with or fitted to locomotives
NEM available separately

Could Mr Bach-man please confirm or correct these perceptions?  Thanks in advance.
Keith Warltier

Could someone please describe their experience with the new magnetic knuckle couplers?  How is the shunting with delayed uncoupling?

Thank you dtpowell for asking about the NMRA Convention.  I'm hoping for a 'yes' to my similar question under the 'New N scale coupler pics' topic.
Regards,  Keith Warltier

Hello Bach-Man,
Will there be a presentation or clinic for the new couplers at the NMRA 75th Convention?
Regards,
Keith Warltier

Dear Frank,
Pictures of the new operating couplers can be seen at Title: New N scale coupler pics.  Limiting your purchases of engines and rolling stock to items that have coupler sockets which accept the new couplers will save a ton of work.  You can of course still buy items that are compatible with the new couplers.
When you need an electric uncoupler, take a look at the Kadee 708 HOn3 & N Scale Electric Uncoupler.
If you are thinking about DCC, I can highly recommend after one or two years of use, Bachmann E-Z Command Control Centre eventually enhanced by an E-Z Command Companion.
For first class N Scale bimonthlies, try for US, N-Scale Magazine (www.nscalemagazine.com) or for UK, N Gauge Journal (www.ngaugesociety.com).  
Happy shunting,
Keith