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Post by toronado3800 on Aug 30, 2016 23:34:45 GMT -5
Hello, I am looking for Z scale locomotives with Automatic couplers.
Are the MTL loco's the only option still?
I like my Z trains but have learned I CAN NOT be fooling about with them tiny things very much.
Thanks in advance.
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Post by markm on Aug 31, 2016 0:33:11 GMT -5
It depends what you are expecting for an automatic coupler. Most AZL locos have what they call "autolatch" and they will couple. If you also want easy uncoupling, you will want MTLs exclusive magnetic coupler. You can change over many AZL locos with MTL couplers and you can find threads discussing the conversion here and on trainboard.com. There is also a rumor floating around that there will be a coupler that competes with MTL available in the future.
Hope this helps,
Mark
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Post by toronado3800 on Aug 31, 2016 18:55:06 GMT -5
That is rather what I figured. Thank you for the answer.
So far customizing Z scale locomotives has not gone well for me so I was holding out hope of a secret stash or supplier.
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Post by shamoo737 on Sept 2, 2016 10:16:44 GMT -5
I have limited success with swapping out the guts of the azl couplers with MTL couplers. It doesn't have the full swing under the magnet, but just enough to uncouple. It also depend on the car. It needs to have a fully functioning coupler. Of course if you going to do automatic uncoupling, you need to make sure all the cars couplers are functioning properly first. Not all couplers are in working order from the factory.
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Post by boxcarwilly on Sept 5, 2016 9:50:03 GMT -5
It doesn't matter which coupler you use, both are too weak to pull more then 10 cars of equal weight up a 2% grade over 22ft. Also MTL couplers have tiny coil springs in them that have a tendency to fall out or lose their ability to center the coupler after coming out of curves. Also both have outer knuckles that are too weak to hold more then 10 cars of equal weight on grades. I too have heard rumors that someone is trying to manufacture a coupler that is supposed to be better then both MTL and AZL but again, if it is too weak to do the job, then it's a futile effort. What is needed is a coupler without a coil spring that weakens over time and continually fails to center itself after coming out of curves and an outer knuckle that will not open when under stress of more then 10 cars of equal weight. Both Marklin and AZL have springs that are actually part of the assembly and are self centering, but Marklin couplers are ugly and not prototypical and AZL couplers like MTL's, are too weak in the outer knuckle. Like the saying goes, if someone builds a better mouse trap, I'll buy it, so if someone comes up with a better coupler that is still prototypical, truly easy to latch up and have the holding power of Krazy Glue until released, I'll by enough to change out all my engines and cars. Will that every happen? Probably not in my lifetime.
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Sept 21, 2016 5:26:50 GMT -5
.... Not all couplers are in working order from the factory. I had simmilar experience with some MTL couplers. Cutting one or two windings from the spring in the coupler pocket helps. I use a 16V~ transformer and Kadee electromagnetical uncouplers. /Frank |
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Post by shamoo737 on Sept 21, 2016 10:45:04 GMT -5
Frank, I bought a Kaddee Electromagnetic uncoupler. I plan to use it on the mainline for switching.
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Post by domi on Oct 2, 2016 1:53:38 GMT -5
I definitly don't recommand basic magnets for a main line or even for a passing siding. MTL couplers are prone to a severe slack action and you're mostly commited to parasite uncoupling doing so. The only way for beeing able to uncouple on a main line or passing siding is indeed obviously an electro-magnet. Myself I'm using slightly modified Kadee #309s (designed for HO)I set following the way below.  Dom |
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Post by BAZman on Oct 4, 2016 17:34:36 GMT -5
Dom, Nice "Pencil-CAD"  |
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Post by texrail on Oct 15, 2016 10:37:42 GMT -5
MTL is now offering a new coupler for N-Scale, called "true-scale coupler" It works without any spring, but you are not able to uncouple with a magnet or an electric device. It is not compatibel with the "old" couplers. So you need a transition car. According to the conversation on youtube the coupler wouldn´t work with the Z-scale couper aswell, because it ( the new one ) is too tiny for that. I can´t belive.
Has anyone already made some experience with that?
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Post by toronado3800 on Oct 15, 2016 19:57:32 GMT -5
If it does not work with magnetic uncouplers why are they making it? Seems backwards for them.
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Oct 16, 2016 8:19:21 GMT -5
See the fun of magnematic couplers. I have uploaded this film to youtube 6 years ago. These type of couplers is a must for who ever will make a Z scale switcher, in my opinion.
/Frank
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Post by Commodore on Oct 16, 2016 19:45:40 GMT -5
Great Job, Frank!
Thank you for sharing.
This is the kind of thing that could put Z scale out in-front of all of the other scales.
Z scale has so much to recommend it, already.
Thanks again
Rory
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