QUOTE (paul_d @ 5 Mar 2007, 08:48)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Several questions
1) Where is the best place to aquire such items, and are they all the same design? I know the slot itself will be 'standard', but are there differing mounting styles?
2) I want to fit NEM pockets to a range of rolling stock, mainly Hornby stuff where I will cut off the moulded tension lock couplings. I have a specific question regarding the Latest Hornby MK3 coach couplings. The tension lock can be unclipped and pulled out but it isn't a NEM pocket and won't accept NEM compatible couplings. What sort of socket is this and what other coupling will fit in it?
Many thanks Paul
As mentioned, Roco makes two forms of NEM close coupling mechanism. Unfortunately, I believe that they are not current production items, but you may be able to get them. If you want to fit the NEM pockets at the standard height, you will find that you can't use the wider ones on bogie stock (fouls the wheels) and you can only use the narrower one on bogie stock if you have very shallow curves (36" is too tight) and then only with modification. I have had some success using the narrower version on longer-wheelbase 4-wheel stock.
The Fleischmann close-coupling mechanism doesn't give you an NEM-362 pocket, it gives you a NEM-363 standard mounting slot that you can use Roco or Fleischmann coupling heads in. I have used these extensively on Mk2 and Mk3 stock, as well as some other bogie stock with long overhangs (LMS 12-wheel diner, for instance). I use Roco autocouplers or Fleischmann Profi couplers within rakes, so this works for me - if you want to use some other form ofcoupling you are out of luck. You will find problems fitting this mechanism on short overhang bogie stock without some serious hacking of the stock to avoid the wheels fouling the mechanism - don't hack the mechanism, you need all of it. They are expensive and a bit fragile (the springs disengage).
There is also a mechanism by Gutzold (which I haven't played with) that gives you an NEM-362 pocket on a small footprint close-coupling mechanism (looks like a similar size to the Fleischmann item).
For some stock, Keen close coupling mechanisms can be used. They provide an open-bottom pocket that matches NEM-362 dimensions. You have to use some form of positive attachment for the coupling of choice, but they do work.
You can also get the pockets in replacement packs of Bachmann couplings. These are the triangular-tail version as seen on Bachmann wagons, so some ingenuity is required to attach them to other stock.
The pockets on the Mk3 coaches are the standard Airfix-style coupling pocket seen on a lot of Hornby stock, as well as Dapol and Airfix stock. Various forms of tension-lock coupling will clip in, and a few other clip-type couplers can be persuaded to stay in. Since these are at approximately the correct height, NEM couplers can, with some ingenuity, be fitted to these boxes. In simple terms, drill between the tines of the NEM coupler to make a clip. If you get more sophisticated, fabricate a retaining clip to prevent it from popping off the post (I used some brass strip in a 'C' shape) and add some packing to keep the coupling centred.
Adrian
