good evening,
I have purchased a set of wagons for my growing railway and have a need for wheels and couplings and have come across a few questions.
1. Are N gauge wagon wheels the same as oo9 wagon wheels or is there a major difference?
2. Are bachmann couplings (pro code - 396-001) compatible with peco pockets (GR103)?
what is the most cost effective way to get wheels and couplings for multiple wagons (currently have 7 to build but suspect i will get more in the future)
Thanks,
luke
Luke, yes you can use N gauge wheels for most 009 stock. Some prototype wagons require larger wheels though.
However Light Railway Stores stock Greenwich and Mosskito wheels that are suitable and they do the larger type if needed. Dundas models also stock them. I'm not sure if Peco sell their metal wheels separately but probably.
https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/collections/all/wheels
Graham Farish wheels can also be used.
Couplings, something to think about is do you require automatic uncoupling?
Greenwich couplings are excellent finescale couplings that with magnets produce automatic uncoupling.
Peco, Bachmann and Bemo couplings can also be used and can be used to automatically uncouple using ramps.
Prob available from Dundas https://dundasmodels.co.uk/webstore/index.php/home
Richard
Quote from: cnw6847 on February 18, 2026, 06:30Couplings, something to think about is do you require automatic
Good morning,
Thank you for the response, I was unaware auto uncoupling was available as an option, I use Kadee on my OO so would be something I'd like to look at,
Are these compatible with the coupling pockets sold by peco?
Quote from: L Jackson on February 18, 2026, 07:16Quote from: cnw6847 on February 18, 2026, 06:30Couplings, something to think about is do you require automatic
Good morning,
Thank you for the response, I was unaware auto uncoupling was available as an option, I use Kadee on my OO so would be something I'd like to look at,
Are these compatible with the coupling pockets sold by peco?
I use Kadee for my HO/OO models.
Kadee don't do small enough couplings and I don't think Microtrains do any with NEM fittings.
The Dapol knuckle coupling would be fine i'd have thought. They are N gauge ones but should work well on 009 stock.
Quote from: L Jackson on February 17, 2026, 21:021. Are N gauge wagon wheels the same as oo9 wagon wheels or is there a major difference?
Pretty much yes. The gauge is the same (9 mm) and the wheel profile should also be the same, but be aware that there are a few different ones out there, ranging from 'pizza cutters' like 1960's Arnold with deep flanges through to the FiNe standards that are closer to the 2 mm association fine scale standards. In general though if you stick to wheels of current production rather than ancient 2nd hand stuff you should be OK.
The main difference though will be with any details - spokes, etc. - in the wheel center. For example curly spoke wheels are seen quite a bit on narrow gauge 009 stock but not on standard gauge (N) wagons.
Quote from: L Jackson on February 17, 2026, 21:022. Are bachmann couplings (pro code - 396-001) compatible with peco pockets (GR103)?
In theory yes as both are to the NEM standards. However, you'll still need to ensure the business end of the coupling is at the correct height - about 6 mm from the railhead to the top flat surface. I've also always felt however that having to stick a pocket to the stock to insert a coupling is a bit of a faff compared to mounting the coupling directly on the wagon as it's easier to set the height.
RT Models make a very good cast resin height gauge NGWC010 (https://www.rtmodels.co.uk/rtmodels_018.htm) that I can recommend.
There are several types of 009 coupling - the 'central buffer with pivoted loop' like the Bachmann ones you reference - that do not need an NEM pocket.
The Greenwich couplings are good and will offer automatic uncoupling via under track magnets, though do need to be assembled from an etch (no soldering needed). They do sell a jig that will help with the assembly, and a pair of parallel action pliers will make using the jig easier.
I can't comment on Kadee / Microtrains, but will mention that not many 009 modellers use them, so you may have issues when running your stock on someone else's layout / running their stock on your layout.
Hope that helps, and have a look for the many discussions on couplings that are in this forum for a few more pointers.
A couple of points from my experience with knuckle type couplers.
I also use Kadees in 00 and remain deliriously happy with them. I have used the equivalent Microtrains couplers in N (and 2FS) and like those too.
As noted above, Microtrains don't do a version to fit into an N gauge NEM socket. (The NEM sockets for N, 009 and also TT120 are all the same.) The Dapol equivalent couplers do come with an NEM fitting. However, I found that they need a bit of fettling so that they sit properly horizontally and don't droop.
I have tried the Peco NEM sockets and not found them satisfactory at all. The Dapol ones are good but fiddly to fit. Unlike the Peco ones, they incorporate some lateral movement with self-centring springs built in (moulded plastic hairs, similar to Kadee). There is a height gauge available too and once you have everything set up, all you need is a horizontal surface at the right height to stick the pocket to. I am using the Dapol pockets with Bachmann/Liliput couplers which I may swap out for Dapol couplers at some point. (Once the socket is fitted, it's just a click fit to swap the coupler.)
It's worth pointing out that the Microtrains couplers that come in pre-assembled coupler boxes also fit to a horizontal surface at the right height. (I generally use an M2 bolt, either brass or nylon.) For N gauge, I have mostly used Microtrains #1015 or #1025 pre-made body-mount couplers.
The Microtrains and Dapol couplers look very similar but operate subtly differently. The geometry of where the knuckle hinges is different. They will couple together with about 95% success rate, but won't uncouple using a magnet, they open differently and just won't quite let go.
The build quality of the Microtrains couplers is markedly better. I have had very few failures with Microtrains whereas with Dapol I have had several where the knuckle hinge is just too stiff. Both are quite expensive, so this is a relevant consideration!
That was more of a ramble than I intended. I hope it was some help.
Ian
Quote from: JulienW on February 18, 2026, 08:59There are several types of 009 coupling - the 'central buffer with pivoted loop' like the Bachmann ones you reference - that do not need an NEM pocket.
The Greenwich couplings are good and will offer automatic uncoupling via under track magnets, though do need to be assembled from an etch (no soldering needed). They do sell a jig that will help with the assembly, and a pair of parallel action pliers will make using the jig easier.
thank you for the suggestion, i will take a look for the height gauge
do you have the product number for the bachmann couplings?
thinking less i need to build myself less likely i am to have it go wrong
Quote from: L Jackson on February 18, 2026, 20:15do you have the product number for the bachmann couplings?
The "non-NEM couplings" aren't Bachmann but hopefully this will help...
Greenwich Couplings and the folding jig are available from Light Railway Stores - https://www.lightrailwaystores.co.uk/collections/gdngrs - though the 'standards Greenwich jobs (CPL1) are shown as out of stock.
An alternative source of the Greenwich couplings is Dundas Models - https://dundasmodels.co.uk/webstore/index.php/store-categories/category/505-greenwich-couplings-accessories?&limit=8 - where the CPL1 is shown as in stock.
Dundas will also sell you Peco couplings, including the GR 101 that does not need the NEM pocket (https://dundasmodels.co.uk/webstore/index.php/store-categories/category/598-peco-bogies-couplings-wheels-and-accessories).
Dundas also used to sell Bemo couplings. I cant find them on the website but have found them here https://www.hamodels.net/buffers-and-couplings/009-couplings-buffers.html
Hope that helps