As many of you know Bachmann is producing a new magnetic N scale coupler. At this point in time we are including it on Spectrum locomotives starting with the new H4 articulated. It will be available as a separate sale item sometime later this year. As requested here are a few pictures of the new coupler:
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/bucksco/Bachmann/New_Ncoupler1.jpg)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/bucksco/Bachmann/New_NCoupler2.jpg)
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/bucksco/Bachmann/New_NCoupler3.jpg)
Thanks for the photos. Will they fit in standard Rapido mountings?
This coupler looks more like the MicroTrains version. Oddly, some Amfleet cars I recently ordered came with a "large" knuckle-type coupler, without the magnetic pins. This must be some interim thing they're doing.
The couplers on your Amfleet cars are what was the previous standard dummy knuckle couplers that have been on them for at least the past 10 years. The ones pictured have just been introduced, and will begin appearing in newer production spectrum locos.
ABC - The dummy knuckles have been around just barely a year. Previous Amfleets came with Rapido's. Putting knuckles on the Amfleets may actually make them sellable. Right now, they sit on the shelf because the only loco's to pull them come with knuckle couplers and the unique coupler arrangement on the cars themselves are a pain in the behind to convert.
Nice looking coupler. IMO, better looking than what's currently availbile in "N" It looks a great deal like an HO coupler with that side spring.
Looking forward to trying these - will they be available separately?
Yes, they will be available for separate purchase sometime later on this year.
Hey ABC,
Are you going to make a retro coupler for the front of the 2-6-6-2s ::)
Hunt Tower
Quote from: Hunt Tower on March 26, 2010, 09:21:38 AM
Hey ABC,
Are you going to make a retro coupler for the front of the 2-6-6-2s
I don't have an H4 in N scale. I currently have a 0-6-0T (Model Power), 2 4-4-0 Americans (Bachmann), 1 GP-50 (Bachmann), 3 FM H-15/16-44 (Atlas), and 1 4-8-4 Northern (Bachmann). The only locos with retro rapido couplers are the 2 Americans and the tank engine, the others have MT style (working knuckle) couplers. The Union Pacific 4-4-0 only pulls my UP old-time coaches and the Central Pacific American only pulls my CP old-time coaches. My ATSF 0-6-0T only pulls the 5 cars and the caboose that came in the set. I do however have 2 2-6-6-2s in HO, 1 Mantua & 1 Bachmann.
Are these new couplers body mount or truck mount?
I am pretty sure they are body mounted.
I realize these are new, and probably won't be available for some time as separate parts or separate accessories. Has consideration been given to making adapters for converting the older Rapido truck-mounted couplers, or will draft gear boxes be made available in the event they can be body-mounted? In any event, this is a good step forward on Bachmann's part, and further cements the idea that converting old cars and locos to knuckle couplers is the ONLY way to go.
:)
So how do these compare in actual size and reliability to MT's Magnematics, Athearn's new McHenry, and Atlas' Accumates and in compatibility to the three mentioned?
And the answer to the above is favorable, how long until we see bulk packs?
The Bachmann operating knuckle couplers are completely compatible with MT, McHenry, and Accumate couplers. They are one pre-assembled piece, unlike some of the others that come in two pieces and require minor assembly. As far as I can tell, they are only body-mount, but may be possible to use them with talgo trucks with modifications.
Please start putting these on the front of your locos, and knock it off with the dummys. Engines like the H-4 pushed and pulled, in either direction, and could be found going either way with cars both ahead and behind. Ill pay the extra buck for a real coupler up front. (not to mention doubleheading and pusher service!)
Could you please let me know which steam engines and diesel engines are available with the new magnetic N scale couplers?
Thanks in advance,
Keith Warltier
Hello Bach-Man,
Will there be a presentation or clinic for the new couplers at the NMRA 75th Convention?
Regards,
Keith Warltier
Quote from: keithwarltier on June 14, 2010, 01:04:36 AM
Could you please let me know which steam engines and diesel engines are available with the new magnetic N scale couplers?
I know the 44 tonners have them and the 2-6-6-2's and beyond that I do not know, but I think they are scheduled to be incorporated into all the new Spectrum engines. And they will be available for separate purchase sometime later this year.
I'm facing having to assemble a couple of the MT line couplers for an older Atlas caboose. The one piece contruction sounds very good.
Anyone have an idea when they'll be available at the local hobby shops or on line?
Quote from: dtpowell on July 09, 2010, 02:34:28 PM
Anyone have an idea when they'll be available at the local hobby shops or on line?
I heard they are expecting October delivery.
Quote from: keithwarltier on June 14, 2010, 01:04:36 AM
Could you please let me know which steam engines and diesel engines are available with the new magnetic N scale couplers?
I received a replacement Class J 4-8-4 and AUX tender little over a week ago, and they both came with the new couplers. I think that Bachmann may be putting them on all new locomotives being released or shipped.
Could someone please describe their experience with the new magnetic knuckle couplers? How is the shunting with delayed uncoupling?
Does anybody know if these couplers are backwards convertible with the HHP-8 electric? I've converted a bunch of Amfleets, but would like a loco to haul them without having to leave a rapido on any of the coaches and one end of a loco...
Cheers,
Michael
Hi all,
just bought a Spectrum Burlington Northern GE EMD SD-45 and wondered if these new couplers could be fitted to it without to much trouble also will we be able to purchase these in the UK
thanks ;D
Dear Stevep100,
Please take a look at the 'New auto coupler and Graham Farish' topic.
Cheers,
Keith
I hope Bachmann doesn't make the same mistakes that the McHenry people made. They were
1. Offered a coupler with the same shank length as the MT and Accumate
with no shorter shank
2. Did not offer a ''T'' shank version
3. Did not offer a coupler box to mount the coupler.
There are a lot of old freight car trucks out there with "T" shank Rapido couplers. Everybody had them; Atlas, Bachamnn, Concor, LifeLike, you name a manufacturer and they had them. These were replaced by modelers with MT trucks and those old trucks went into a drawer or a box somewhere. Having an automatic coupler with a short "T" shank will make these trucks usable again and a nice market for Bachmann. Also a short shank version will fit nicely on Steam pilots and between ABBA units to close the coupler gap to more prototypical distances.
Will the new couplers fit the Spectrum F7 A&B Santa Fe. I put the dummy couplers on and the front coupler on the A unit is too short. I do not want to put the MT couplers on as they are sometimes a pain!
With the new magnetic N scale couplers now available on some engines and rolling stock, could someone please comment on their experience?
Keith Warltier
These look like the McHenery couplers that are coming on Athearn cars and engines. They should there fore be compatible with Accumates and MicroTrain couplers.
This is good for the Bachmann cars as I have been switching the couplers to MicroTrains or putting on Accumate trucks with couplers. When future cars come with these I will then buy the rest of the Bachmann cars I need.
nice looking couplers, far more prototypical than the mtl ones. imop, the mtl look way too light compared to the actual janney automatic coupler, but these look great comparitively speaking. Will they be compatible with the old dummy knuckles?
Thank you Ken and Eric for responding.
Thank you Mr. Bach-man for making these magnetically operated couplers now available as E-Z Mate Mark II Short Couplers ref. 78503, E-Z Mate Mark II Medium Couplers ref. 78502, and E-Z Mate Merk II Long Couplers ref. 78501
Regards
Keith