O Gauge Latch & Manual Box Couplers on Same Train ?

The 800 and 2800 series have a higher coupler height than the 600 and 2600 series cars. As long as the couplers are the same height, you can mix and match box and latch couples. You can even connect to knuckle couples with the TT-100 or TS-162 adapters.

Aforementioned height difference between the series cars:

More discussion: https://ogrforum.com/...ler-height-alignment

I have used the above adapters with very limited success.  Trying to get that thin cross section bulbous portion to stay inside a knuckle coupler usually results in the adapter slipping out of the knuckle after a few laps for me, a don't even think about going in reverse.

I really like running mixed equipment.  I also really like running modern engines pulling a string of tinplate cars.  So eventually I made my own transition car.  MTH cataloged some really nice looking ones in a tinplate catalog around 2013'ish, but never made them.

If you look at the video below I had my transition car, it's the green gondola, in service to allow for a pusher locomotive to help this train.

Honestly, its a simple thing to make and it allows for a lot of fun.  I really should crank out a couple more.

I believe Ken is asking about Latch and Box couplers, not Box couplers and knuckle couplers. The answer is, yes, they connect together just fine. I run both on my 81x & 281x cars without any issues whatsoever. You don't need any adapter. Here is a picture of my crane with latch couplers connected to my gondola with box couplers.

George

George S - you're right.  I saw the first response and didn't read the question properly. 

As you said,  the answer is yes.  Latch and box couplers work just together. 

Latch couplers have alot of slack so they make putting things together a little easier. 

Here's a few quick pics I staged in response to OP's question. 

jhz563 posted:

George S - you're right.  I saw the first response and didn't read the question properly. 

 

The first response was spot on and also addresses potential height differences between different series of cars:

bmoran4 posted:

The 800 and 2800 series have a higher coupler height than the 600 and 2600 series cars. As long as the couplers are the same height, you can mix and match box and latch couples.

bmoran4 posted:

jhz563 posted:

George S - you're right.  I saw the first response and didn't read the question properly. 

 

The first response was spot on and also addresses potential height differences between different series of cars:

bmoran4 posted:

The 800 and 2800 series have a higher coupler height than the 600 and 2600 series cars. As long as the couplers are the same height, you can mix and match box and latch couples.

Re-read his post.

OP never mentioned 600 series cars, so the coupler height difference is irrelevant.  The answer is simple. Latch couplers and box couplers were both made on 800 series cars. They interoperate and connect just fine. Period!

George

I do it all the time. A little bending of each coupler to bring the height difference closer and they run together just fine. And you can even run different manufactures together with a little planning.

Kenrestoration posted:

 

I believe O gauge electromagnetic box couplers are a different height and wont couple to latch or manual box couplers....correct?

I am looking to buy some 8XX series cars. 

Incorrect, on 8xx series cars, electromagnetic box couplers are the same height as latch couplers on earlier 8xx series cars.

George

I have read in some collector books that in late '41 and '42 Lionel cobbled some 'floor sweeping' sets together to clean house to get ready for war production that had a mix of both latch coupler and manual box couplers freight cars together in a few sets direct from the factory.

There were also some sets when the box coupler was introduced that had mixed couplers.