Standard / Wide Gauge Couplers - Compatibility?

I will assume your Lionel/MTH cars have latch couplers. McCoy uses Lionel like tab couplers. American Flyer (great runners) use a unique one way coupler. Pretty simple to make adapters.

Steve

Steve,

Thanks!  The Lionel and MTH cars have the original latch couplers.  However, I have done my share of adapter couplers in many scales.  Right now I'm considering the McCoy TCA electric because I just like the look.  Someday though I'd like an original 400E.  Until then?

Best,

@GG1 4877 posted:

An easy answer for many on this forum, but I do not dabble with standard gauge that much.  I have an interest through and have about a dozen Lionel / MTH by Lionel cars in the 500 and 200 series.  Currently I am in search of a decent and to be honest, cheaper locomotive to pull the cars with.  Some of the smaller Lionel pre-war locomotives are well priced such as a #8, but what about American Flyer or McCoy?  Are their couplers compatible?  Just looking to keep my options open.

This year I'd like to run a standard gauge train around my Christmas Tree.

Thanks!

Lionel's later coupler does not play well with American Flyer and most McCoy locos (McCoy used an earlier drop type coupler that Lionel moved away from with the 200 and 500 series).  Some pretty good buys on 380's, 318's, a little larger than the 8, it's mostly the extra weight that gives them a little more pull than the 8's.