Z-scalers, what coupler brand do you recommend for N-scale?

[jimmo]

I am in the process of converting my N-scale rolling stock to the closer-to-scale Z-scale couplers. So far I have only used MT on my MT passenger cars. Your personal recommendations accompanied by what I can expect to pay would be much appreciated.

I'm not planning to run long trains as I am modeling a shortline railroad with train lengths of no more than 30 cars.

I am also hoping that what ever coupler I find will be a good alternative for my Nn3 rolling stock.

[Chris333]

I used the Browser coupler on a lot of my stuff. No slinky effect.

[jimmo]

I used the Browser coupler on a lot of my stuff. No slinky effect.

I didn't know Bowser had Z-scale. How do they compare as far as cost is concerned?

[peteski]

I guess before even asking the original question, my question would be how many (knuckle) couplers are even available in Z scale?

The ol' standby MT and Bowser. What else?

[jimmo]

I guess before even asking the original question, my question would be how many (knuckle) couplers are even available in Z scale?

The ol' standby MT and Bowser. What else?

I wanted their opinions based on experience, not a list of what's available. But I'll take what I can get.

I went to Bowser's website http://www.bowser-trains.com/index.html and found nothing on either N or Z-scale couplers. I also thought it was interesting that all but one picture of their rolling stock had no couplers at all.

[jimmo]

Ok, I did another search for "Bowser Z-scale" and found that under the name Full Throttle there are trucks with couplers but no separate couplers. Did they used to sell them?

[Denver Road Doug]

I think they've only made their couplers-only available on a limited run basis.   I know of at least three runs, the first of which was simply the truck/couplers without wheels which was a step in the right direction before they did couplers only.

I think in addition to MTL and Bowser/FT, you would add AZL to the list of couplers.  Not sure if they are available stand-alone though.

[Philip H]

There's a thread here that @ednadolski stared and @GaryHinshaw was a major player in on better coupling that has info on how to get the Bowser Bucklers as parts from Lee English. As I recall the minimum order was 50 pair.

[Smike]

28 pages of what you are looking for in all it glory:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=21980.0

FT couplers seem to be the one you want. You can buy the trucks and cut off the coupler box ($$), but the Bowser has made runs of just the couplers for sale in bulk at times, but its not a regular item sold by itself.

Shame, they would do very well in the nscale market.

[Chris333]

Bowser manufactures the Full Throttle products. The coupler boxes are built into the trucks. They will sell you trucks without (metal) wheels, but with couplers/boxes cheaper than you can buy whole trucks.

This is a photo of me mounting the couplers with just a 00-90 screw. You can see the whiskers. I didn't need them to center, but I could just lay 2 strips of styrene on each side to make a "box" and they would operate.
https://www.republiclocomotiveworks.com/RLWpopup.php?p=https://www.republiclocomotiveworks.com/images/RLW2462-02.jpg&w=1080&h=811

[Smike]

28 pages of what you are looking for in all its glory:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=21980.0

FT couplers seem to be the one you want. You can buy the trucks and cut off the coupler box ($$), but the Bowser has made runs of just the couplers for sale in bulk at times, but its not a regular item sold by itself.

Shame, they would do very well in the nscale market.

[jimmo]

Thanks everyone for your input. The thread from 2010 appears to be full of good info.

[Catt]

Jimmo,if you contact Bowser directly they may just sell you the couplers by them selves.

[ednadolski]

Jimmo,if you contact Bowser directly they may just sell you the couplers by them selves.

Best info on this is this post:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=21980.msg324793#msg324793

Ed

[SandyEggoJake]

Speaking of which, Ed, are you still offering your PE of z scale body mount boxes?  Price?