Prototype locomotives and freight cars have body-mounted couplers, but that hasn’t always been the case on N scale models. Truck-mounted couplers were the standard for many years. Today, almost all N scale locomotives and most newly tooled freight cars have body-mounted N scale couplers. The primary reasons for making the switch from truck-mounted couplers to body-mounted couplers are a more prototypical appearance and better operation.
Even though more N scale models are being offered with body-mounted couplers, there are still scores of cars out there with truck-mounted couplers. The ease of converting these cars to body-mounted couplers varies among manufacturers.
Micro-Trains cars with truck-mounted couplers have mounting holes in the underframe for body mounting. Start by removing the draft-gear boxes with a No. 17 chisel blade or a jeweler’s saw.
Then use a No. 60 bit to enlarge the hole in the draft-gear boxes to clear a 00-90 screw. Also use the bit to clear the holes in the underframe.
With the draft-gear boxes prepared, use a tap to make threads in the car floor. If the floor is metal, apply a drop of light oil to the tap so it doesn’t stick. Regardless of the material, work slowly and back the tap out periodically to remove any plastic or metal shavings.
Other manufacturers have holes or dimples for body-mounting draft-gear boxes. Use the same steps for the Micro-Trains cars on these models.
Installing body-mounted N scale couplers on cars without locating holes or mounting platforms is a bit trickier. However, there are products that can help. Trainworx offers the factory-assembled nos. 620 and 622 body-mount magnetic coupler conversions. The 620 is designed for Precision Masters and Red Caboose Ortner five-bay rapid-discharge hoppers. The 622 is for the Atlas 90-ton three-bay hopper.
You can also make your own body-mount conversion. Jim Kelly, former Model Railroader managing editor and longtime N scale modeler, used styrene strip to build a mounting platform for a 1990s-era Atlas covered hopper.
Learn more about N scale couplers in this article by senior editor Cody Grivno.
