How to replace broken N gauge couplers

[Justin Smith]

I have some N gauge rolling stock with broken couplers and wondered how I can repair them ?
I bought some replacement Farish couplers (these) which come with springs but they do not appear to fit my Graham Farish waggons :



I also have a GWR Pannier Tank (possibly Grafar but it does not say on it ! ) with a broken coupler, do those spare couplings I have bought fit this ? And is it a straightforward job to split the chassis ? Experience has taught me to be wary of this kind of job as sometimes loads of minute components all fall out ! :



Are either of these fixable, and if so how ?
The waggons appear to be "melted" together and a particularly awkward job ?

I currently have a thread running "Renovating a 1970s N gauge layout" but feel this is more specific, particularly for search engines.

 

[Cowley]

I have some N gauge rolling stock with broken couplers and wondered how I can repair them ?
I bought some replacement Farish couplers (these) which come with springs but they do not appear to fit my Graham Farish waggons :

View attachment 113930

I also have a GWR Pannier Tank (possibly Grafar but it does not say on it ! ) with a broken coupler, do those spare couplings I have bought fit this ? And is it a straightforward job to split the chassis ? Experience has taught me to be wary of this kind of job as sometimes loads of minute components all fall out ! :

View attachment 113931

Are either of these fixable, and if so how ?
The waggons appear to be "melted" together and a particularly awkward job ?

I currently have a thread running "Renovating a 1970s N gauge layout" but feel this is more specific, particularly for search engines.

I must admit that I haven’t got anything of that era so I’m not sure. It might just be a case of cutting the stumps of the original ones off and gluing the replacement ones on once you’ve got them at the right height.

 

[Gloster]

I think that Peco sell pairs of couplings with boxes (catalogue number NR-102) and it is probable that you can buy packets of the basic coupling from stockists of continental manufacturers. If you put the new coupling in the original coupling box, you need to remove the body by inserting a suitable knife, hacksaw blade, etc. in between the underframe and the body, and lever them apart. It isn’t that difficult, but it is best not to choose your favourite wagon for your first try. After you have thoroughly checked that the new coupling moves freely and works properly you glue the body back on.

Alternatively you hack the old coupling off, smooth the mounting down a bit, put a small piece of plasticard in as a new base and glue the new coupling box in place. At which point you find out that it is either the wrong way around, you’ve forgotten to put the coupling in the box (or put it in upside down), it is at the wrong height or the glue has run into the box and the coupling is stuck solid. All part of the fun: it is very satisfying when you finally get it right.

With the loco it should be much simpler once you have worked out which screws to unscrew. Often the body acts as the top of the coupling box and holds the coupling in: remove the body and the coupling can probably be tipped out (along with other bits that hide in the carpet).

 

[Justin Smith]

Thanks for the input, the idea I could glue it back together gave me the confidence to dismantle the waggons. The easiest way to do the latter was to drill out the melted joint. Why can't they use screws, an extra 10p per waggon ? ! ?
Anyway, the couplers have circular / round ends where they attach to the waggon, they're are not like the Farish or Peco N Gauge couplings I've seen available.



== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 May 2022 ==

I contacted "Peter's Spares" about the couplers and they said 'we haven’t any of the old ones anymore'.

 

[Justin Smith]

Does anyone know how to change the couplings on Graham Farish Chinese built Locos ? I have a Deltic but cannot see how to change the coupling. From the underside of the Loco there does not appear to be any way to disassemble the coupler and put new one in.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jul 2022 ==


I managed to replace the coupling on the Grafar Pannier tank (mentioned earlier), it was the "standard" type with a spring behind it.

 

[Cowley]

Does anyone know how to change the couplings on Graham Farish Chinese built Locos ? I have a Deltic but cannot see how to change the coupling. From the underside of the Loco there does not appear to be any way to disassemble the coupler and put new one in.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jul 2022 ==


I managed to replace the coupling on the Grafar Pannier tank (mentioned earlier), it was the "standard" type with a spring behind it.

They should just pull out of the socket. Would you be able to post a picture?

 

[Justin Smith]

They should just pull out of the socket. Would you be able to post a picture?

I am particularly interested to get an answer to this as there is a C37 on E Bay at the moment missing one coupler which I was considering bidding for !

 

[Cowley]

View attachment 117561View attachment 117562


I am particularly interested to get an answer to this as there is a C37 on E Bay at the moment missing one coupler which I was considering bidding for !

I’m told that you can unclip the sides of the bogies and that will release the coupling.

 

[Justin Smith]

I’m told that you can unclip the sides of the bogies and that will release the coupling.

Very helpful. I assume the arrowed clips is how it comes off ? Lever the front of the bogie frame forward and down ?

 

[Cowley]

Very helpful. I assume the arrowed clips is how it comes off ? Lever the front of the bogie frame forward and down ?

View attachment 117800

I think so. I’m just double checking with my friend. I’ve not personally taken one of those apart.

Edit - Apparently you unclip it from the other end. The bit you’ve pointed to is the locator clip for when you reassemble it.

 

[Justin Smith]

I think so. I’m just double checking with my friend. I’ve not personally taken one of those apart.

Edit - Apparently you unclip it from the other end. The bit you’ve pointed to is the locator clip for when you reassemble it.

Thanks, that could be very helpful if I break a coupling !
Is the actual coupling the "standard" Graham Farish type ? :

 

[Cowley]

Yes I’m pretty certain it’s one of those.