Are K-line cars compatible with MTH engines? I'm having difficulty matching a set of PRR Fleet of Modernism passenger cars with a period correct DGLE GG1 engine for an 036 setup. The GG1 was apparently DGLE until 1952 and the cars were always Tuscan red. I can find both DGLE engines and sense that the MTH is a better quality choice but cannot find a matching set of FoM Tuscan red cars except with legacy K-Line. Are the K-Line couplers compatible with MTH couplers (and whatever else)?
Thanks.
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Couplers should match, though there are occasional binding issues with certain K-Line to MTH, that's pretty rare. As far as the colors, that's all over the map, even the same maker's paint doesn't always match from year to year.
All "O-gauge" knuckle couplers are compatible with all others, regardless of brand. This is the "Lionel standard" that other brands build to (kind of the way that almost all computers were once "IBM compatible").
Now, as several factories and designers get involved in this 3-rail hobby, without any actual reference-book standard, "your results may vary", now and again. Mostly it's all good, but there are times that the manufacturing tolerances curve can bite you. But, my layout successfully hosts O-gauge couplers from everybody.
Heck, way back in the day (decades ago), early K-line plastic couplers would barely mate with each other, at least when it came to coupling. Ancient history.
And don't get me started on Weaver plastic couplers...
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