Post by ztrack on Dec 24, 2017 10:42:01 GMT -5
One of the more frequent questions we receive here at Ztrack is about coupler compatibility. Since we are seeing many new Z scalers entering the hobby and joining the forum, we thought it a great idea to create a thread on this topic. This is not a thread to argue the benefits of one versus the other!
Okay so when starting is Z, there are essentially three coupler types on the market. These are Marklin, Rapido (used by Rokuhan) and the knuckle type couplers
Fist Marklin couplers. These are pretty much unique to Marklin. Micro-Trains offers Marklin style couplers as replacements for their products. For years Micro-Trains even sold rolling stock with Marklin style couplers. These can still be found on the 2nd hand market. Rokuhan now offers Marklin style replacement couplers for their line of locomotives and rolling stock. For this reason, it is possible to operate Marklin and products from the other manufacturers together. This includes AZL if you want to swap out the AZL couplers with MTL's Marklin style couplers.
Rapido couplers are common on the Japanese model lines such as Rokuhan. Rokuhan offers replacement couplers that allow their Rapido style couplers to be replaced with Marklin and knuckle styles of couplers.
Knuckle style couplers are the most popular system in North America. Micro-Trains was the first to offer this style coupler. The MTL couplers are Magne-Matic which allows for magnetic uncoupling of the cars and locomotives. AZL has introduced their line of AutoLatch TM couplers. These couplers will couple with MTL and Full Throttle couplers. The only difference is that magnetic uncoupling does not work with AZL. Full Throttle uses Bowser Buckler couplers on their products. Like the AZLs, these couplers will mate with Micro-Trains and AZL. But they will not magnetically uncouple.
So when selecting your trains, if you are looking at North American products, you can mix and match MTL, AZL and Full Throttle without difficulty. If you do want the magnetic uncoupling features, then you will need to swap AZL and Full Throttle couplers with MTL couplers.
One tip if you want to inter-mix Marklin style cars is to create a conversion car. These cars have a Marklin coupler on one end and a knuckle coupler on the other. Typically MTL cars are used for conversion cars as MTL offers both the Marklin and knuckle parts and it is very easy to swap these out on their products. Typically, all it takes is a replacement truck.
Another question we frequently get is why doesn't AZL and Full Throttle use MTL OEM couplers on their products like they do in the other scales. Years ago, MTL cancelled all of their OEM agreements with the Z scale manufacturers. This forced the manufacturers to find their own solutions. AZL was already moving down that road so they were not impacted. Full Throttle products did go through a phase where they equipped with AZL's until their own solution was available.
So I hope this thread shines some light on what is possible. Mix and match away!!!
Rob
Okay so when starting is Z, there are essentially three coupler types on the market. These are Marklin, Rapido (used by Rokuhan) and the knuckle type couplers
Fist Marklin couplers. These are pretty much unique to Marklin. Micro-Trains offers Marklin style couplers as replacements for their products. For years Micro-Trains even sold rolling stock with Marklin style couplers. These can still be found on the 2nd hand market. Rokuhan now offers Marklin style replacement couplers for their line of locomotives and rolling stock. For this reason, it is possible to operate Marklin and products from the other manufacturers together. This includes AZL if you want to swap out the AZL couplers with MTL's Marklin style couplers.
Rapido couplers are common on the Japanese model lines such as Rokuhan. Rokuhan offers replacement couplers that allow their Rapido style couplers to be replaced with Marklin and knuckle styles of couplers.
Knuckle style couplers are the most popular system in North America. Micro-Trains was the first to offer this style coupler. The MTL couplers are Magne-Matic which allows for magnetic uncoupling of the cars and locomotives. AZL has introduced their line of AutoLatch TM couplers. These couplers will couple with MTL and Full Throttle couplers. The only difference is that magnetic uncoupling does not work with AZL. Full Throttle uses Bowser Buckler couplers on their products. Like the AZLs, these couplers will mate with Micro-Trains and AZL. But they will not magnetically uncouple.
So when selecting your trains, if you are looking at North American products, you can mix and match MTL, AZL and Full Throttle without difficulty. If you do want the magnetic uncoupling features, then you will need to swap AZL and Full Throttle couplers with MTL couplers.
One tip if you want to inter-mix Marklin style cars is to create a conversion car. These cars have a Marklin coupler on one end and a knuckle coupler on the other. Typically MTL cars are used for conversion cars as MTL offers both the Marklin and knuckle parts and it is very easy to swap these out on their products. Typically, all it takes is a replacement truck.
Another question we frequently get is why doesn't AZL and Full Throttle use MTL OEM couplers on their products like they do in the other scales. Years ago, MTL cancelled all of their OEM agreements with the Z scale manufacturers. This forced the manufacturers to find their own solutions. AZL was already moving down that road so they were not impacted. Full Throttle products did go through a phase where they equipped with AZL's until their own solution was available.
So I hope this thread shines some light on what is possible. Mix and match away!!!
Rob