Roco N Eurofima coaches
I've recently taken the decision to do some N modelling, largely to satisfy my desire to run mainline trains (in H0, I'm restricted to branch operations), and also because there's been a part built 17' long N gauge layout gathering dust in my garage for a couple of years... modelling partner gained girlfriend, etc...
Anyway, I'm none too familiar with German outline N gauge. I treated myself to a selection of Roco items, bought on a value for money basis, but before I make any daft purchases I need to familiarise myself further.
I notice that the Roco N gauge Eurofimas are fitted with a close coupling mechanism. However, I assume that I'd need some kind of alternative coupler to get true close coupling. Beyond the factory fitted Rapidos and the American Micro-Trains couplings, I don't know of any others. Am I missing something crucial here?
Hoping someone can help...
Rich
Roco did their own close-coupling heads.
Hi Rich
You have a number of options available to you.
Fleischmann produce a profi coupling which gives the closest coupling I know of in N but they look pretty ugly. Conversion is pretty easier if the rolling stock has NEM sockets.
Also
Hammerschmid do some coupling's which fit the socket.
For a in depth article try
http://www.nscaledivision.com/information_on_couplers.htm
Unfortunately no one makes a magnetic coupler which fits the NEM pocket (I think).
Hope this helps
Rupert
Thanks guys.
Looking on the Roco site all I can find is an adapter allowing you to fit Fleischmann Profi couplings. Ugliness doesn't matter within coaching stock rakes, as you'd only see them on curves anyway. My N layout doesn't require shunting of passenger stock, so all rakes will be fixed formation. Freight stock will also largely be fixed formation, aside from whatever goes in the as-yet undecided works (it was going to be a kaolin dries, as the layout started life set in Cornwall!). As such, ease of fitment is my priority. Freight might even remain on Rapidos, as the gaps between vehicles aren't as noticable as on carriages.
Cheers
Rich
Hi
Most of the modern wagons come with the NEM pocket. In these cases conversion takes seconds. The Fleischmann couplings do improve the look of a rake of coaches.
Rupert
Hi Rupert,
For the sake of economy I'm buying Roco wagons where I can, and none of the ones I've bought so far have NEM pockets. Still, the gap between buffers is quite reasonable, no worse than in HO without close coupling.
Most recent N-gauge rolling stock are equipped with a close-coupling mechanism, often indicated by a "K" (for kurzkuppling, I believe) following the item number in catalogs and price lists. While the K-couplings are essential to N-gauge realism, you will not see the real advantage of these units unless you swap the standard Rapido couplers for Fleischmann Profi couplers. Rapidos have a lot of built-in lateral "slop", and rarely if ever does the close-coupling mechanism come into play on curves with these standard couplers. Profi couplers lock into each other with no lateral play, thus forcing the K-mechanism into use on every curve. Also, Profis decrease the gap between cars on straightaways. On Fleischmann stock they work exceptionally well - there is virtually no daylight between the accordians of my Flm express coaches equipped with Profi couplings. One downside is that they are rather pricey, especially if you have a lot of stock to convert!
Newer stock equipped with the NEM pivot-pin snap pockets take the Fleischmann 9545 coupler directly, a very easy swap. Older cars have a number of Profi options. Roco often recommend using the 9570+9572 combination for replacing old standard Rapido couplers backed with a coil spring, but I find the simpler 9540 option just as effective, cheaper (you only have to buy one part instead of two), and easier to install (the 9570/72 combination requires a height guide). Fleischmann also markets a slot-guide system to convert wagons without a close-coupling mechanism to close-coupling. Various degrees of surgery are required to fit these, however. I find the effort only worth it on bogie coaches (as recommended by Fleischmann) or other coaches with concertina connectors, as it can bring them realistically close together.