NEM 362 Lenz auto coupler compatibility

Rule #1:  Never believe an MTH catalogue illustration.

1.  MTH European cars with scale wheels / flanges come with two couplers:

  a)  the NEM 365, aka Lenz, coupler, are mounted on the car;  it is a hook coupler, not a knuckle coupler

  b)  the European turnbuckle type scale model coupler;  a pair come in a parts bag.

2. MTH European cars with hi-rail [ = tinplate ] wheels come with two couplers:

  a)  Classic 'Lionel' style knuckle couplers [ but with fixed non-op knuckles ] are mounted on the cars.

  b)  Same as b above

As far as the French loco, I don't know.  The online manual doesn't help.  Since MTH seems to think the French don't use the Lenz coupler but Kadees, maybe it only comes with the (b) coupler.  Yes, I know the catalogue description says it comes with the Lenz coupler -- but it says that about other things [ Orient, OCEM cars ] that don't.  Rule #2 ........

SZ

SZ,

Thank you for your quick reply, I get the sense that you have valuable experience to share, so I'm all ears.  So I now understand that the saw tooth style coupler installed on my car( 20-9915) is termed a "NEM 365/362" coupler.  The hook and loop style that's in the bag, (Your term= turnbuckle) is called the Fine scale coupler?.  Have you operated your rolling stock with these style couplers on short radius curves.  I'm creating a tight 32" diameter(16R) reversing loop.  Restriction won't permit larger.  My Loco is supposedly capable, and the MTH box says the box car can.  Slow speeds and 5 cars max assumed.   What do you think?

WRT rule #1, I'm at the point of just ordering another box car with the knuckle style coupler and testing it out.  I'm looking at ebay for this experiment.  Also wondering if I could use the lower chassis to mount the Verlinden scout rail car to.  

Thanks again,

Jim 

1,  Yes, turnbuckle = 'fine scale coupler'= 'model coupling' [ in German ].  I've not operated that coupler on curves less than 32"radius, and even that requires excessive distance between buffers / cars.

2.  Your -2 loco [ = scale wheels ] requires [ according to MTH electrons ] a 31" radius  minimum curve.  The -1 [ = tinplate ] version can go around a 31" diameter curve. 

3.  I don't understand the "box car" with a knuckle coupler thinking [ see my para 2a above ] -- unless you are planning to change / modify  the TP wheelsets to scale standards.  Are you using Peco Code 124 or Code 148 track -- I presume the former, for a French look.  The sample MTH boxes for Euro cars I just looked at say nothing about min radii.

Confused, SZ

SZ,

Ok, so I have been told on the 2 rail forum or at the Amherst train show last month, that wrt 2 rail,  min radius is 2X car length more or less.  Further more  when MTH prints O-31 on their product for 2 rail, it applies to  min diameter. God knows why , manufacturers must use incorrect terms regarding  radius and diameter.  In any event, I'll know soon enough when I create the return loop.  I'll pass the results along if I screwed this up.  Boy I hate surprises. 

Now as with the knuckle coupler.  I was going to install a knuckle coupler on the front of my lead car to take advantage of the auto uncoupler on the locomotive.  All other cars would have the NEM 365 or the more proto look of the fine scale coupler, I'll need some test runs first.  I can see how the spring bumpers will effect turning radius.  Also I'm using Peco code 124 track.  Thanks for your thoughts on this.

Jim

OK, I understood the concept of a knuckle coupler on the leading vehicle to couple to the loco.  But if you are planning to buy an MTH hi-rail car just to get the knuckle coupler, since those comes with 'tinplate / hirail / TP ' wheelsets you would have to change them to scale ones, because the TP ones are not insulated for 2R operation, and they will probably bump along the chairs [ the rail-holding fixtures ] of your Peco track, nor will they go through Peco turnouts.

I may be missing something here.......    PM maybe ?

SZ

PS   That 2x the car length rule isn't bad, but it doesn't cover all situations like short 4 wh cars and/or type and mounting of coupler....

SZ,  I forgot rule #1.  it’s not my fault.  This knuckle coupler idea originated long before you enlighten me wrt MTH.  The item 22 90946, among others, is listed as 2 rail and has a photo with a knuckle but the written description has it as a fine scale coupler.  Duh!  Shame on me for trusting MTH concerning product description.In the mean time,  I contacted the eBay seller to look at the box and confirm 2 rail and knuckle.  I,m waiting, I did notice that the modern gondola car is also listed as 2 rail and shows a knuckle.  Can,t wait to solve this issue and relax with a train!

When I started out , I contacted MTH in order to get a part number for the knuckle coupler which they have yet to contact me with.  I was reluctant to buy the car just to get the coupler.  That is why I turned to this forum.    I want to simply buy the **** thing and replace it on the front car of a string of cars as previously mentioned.    clearly My interest is either something no one else is interested in doing, or I am to dumb to recognize it’s not possable to begin with.  I will however hammer out a solution, be assured.

1.  Send me a PM and I will mail you the appropriate knuckle coupler.  [ I have purchased some of these MTH Swiss cars w/ the hi-rail wheels ( which I converted to scale wheels ) so I have one to spare.]

2.  The 22 prefix indicates scale wheels and hence Lenz coupler.  But note that MTH began using the 22 prefix only AFTER their first group of Euro cars, which all use a 20 prefix but different p/n to differentiate between scale and tinplate.  [ Does your head hurt yet ?]

SZ

Edited to add:  Actually I would send you the coupler and the coupler mount;  the latter uses two of the four screws you have when you remove the Lenz coupler.

SZ,

Thankyou for your generous offer.  I will contact you on your email with my mailing info tomorrow.  for now I’m prepping for my flight to Frankfurt.  I will raise a glass of Hefeweizen in your name.

Regards,  Jim