N-Possible in Z

[Sokramiketes]

Yep shipping is expensive and (possibly) there will be customs/duty to boot.  I purchased an original artwork from a Canadian artist and FedEx billed me quite a large sum for customs;  After receiving the bill I requested a review since it's an artwork, but I think it's just fallout from the whole Trump tariff policy/trade war with Canada.  Don't wanna take jerbs away from US artists I guess... 

Anyway, I'm waiting for availability of the NPs through a US outlet--which I believe is planned.

Once I do get some, I'll be fiddling with body mount adapters for some AZL cars/locos as well, or perhaps 3D printed trucks that will accept the NPs talgo style.  I can't imagine the Z scale autoracks I made handling curves with body mounted couplers, unless they're huge radius curves.

You should watch the video Ed shared in the N thread demonstrating N scale 40ft boxcars navigating like a 6" radius with nP couplers.  You might be surprised a body mounted capabilities here. 

[ednadolski]

I can't imagine the Z scale autoracks I made handling curves with body mounted couplers, unless they're huge radius curves.

When it comes to Z scale, what qualifies as 'huge"? 

Most Z scale cars are made to go around very sharp curves.  I'd bet that a Z-scale autorack w/body-mounted couplers could go around a 13"-14" curve, equivalent to about 18"-19" in N scale.  Geometry should scale.  (I have some Maxi IVs that struggle at anything under 10" tho.)

Ed

 

[ednadolski]

These are just TSCs on a couple of MTL cars, but I would think the NPs ought to look fairly similar, except for the box. This is a 3D printed box for N scale, so it is too long for Z and sticks out.

While the appearance is a big improvement of and existing Z couplers, the TSCs are in effect unusable from a switching perspective (even with the soldering iron trick).  So all the more reason to look forward to the NPs



Ed

[turbowhiz]

Finally got around to a couple of quick photos:

Scalebox installed into the stock MTL mounting hole, truck mount coupler clipped off:



I did use the hat shim with the sides clipped off; The scalebox without the shim down fit fine but the height seemed high... Probably dropping the overall car ride height might be better, but I wasn't fussing this much. In any case, no truck clearance issues at all, and it does seem to fit the 905 dimensions as expected.

Underside view:



They really do seem to be very compatible with the AZL couplers I'd say.....

[Jimbo]

Finally got around to a couple of quick photos:

Scalebox installed into the stock MTL mounting hole, truck mount coupler clipped off:



I did use the hat shim with the sides clipped off; The scalebox without the shim down fit fine but the height seemed high... Probably dropping the overall car ride height might be better, but I wasn't fussing this much. In any case, no truck clearance issues at all, and it does seem to fit the 905 dimensions as expected.

Underside view:



They really do seem to be very compatible with the AZL couplers I'd say.....

Compatible in operation… but no contest when it comes to appearance!

Looks like you’ve found another market for these, @turbowhiz !

Jim