G Scale Couplers Part 1: Exploring the Options

In this 3 part series, we’ll start with a look at some popular coupler options in the G Scale. We will then advance to body vs truck mounting and some advanced installation techniques. Not trying to become famous here, just hoping this will help someone. Thanks.

[@Mreynolds1960]

Thanks, your video was awesome and helped me out. Thanks again.

[@dtj9923]

Thanks for posting this. It helped me narrow down my couplers pretty fast.
I run a bunch of small industrial prototypes in the garden and I ended up using the Kadee #1 type E scale couplers, they are a great MCB 3/4 size option on 1:20.3 equipment. They look right on Bachmann Porters, Davenport, and the four wheel industrial cars. The Kadee #1905 with a prototypical looking, bolt on coupler pocket looks fantastic on my engines and was super easy mount.
Thanks again for putting this together. Saved me a lot of trial and error.

[@VictorianMaid99]

Outstanding video. I am wondering what to replace my "hoop and hooks" with and I really appreciate how you lined up all of the possible couplers and explore their good an bad points!

[@lyndonfoster1090]

Thank you. Wonderful for newbie like me! Much appreciated

[@robinmorgan7629]

Very helpful the ones that I use are unbranded But work well trouble is don’nt know where to get more . Thanks

[@adriangeary9628]

Bachmann bought out most aristocraft equipment. Same factory in China. Aristocraft couplers are still available through bachmann. I use them.

[@UtahUPman]

FYI to any G-scaler.. if you use the cast Kadee O-Scale couplers on your G-scale cars, they hold awesome and are very to scale. They don't uncouple, but most of the time that's what you are trying to eliminate-- especially outside. It gives it a very prototypical look on which is apparent on your passenger cars. I converted the cars on my MTHRK1GA passenger trains this way and wish I did it earlier. They still negotiate R5 curves just fine. Accucraft has a similar approach on their couplers.

[@primecreator]

Thats a really informative video thanks

[@Telestations]

ya ever ride freight trains - cool video - love SP - ride SP for ton of years - thanks for the info -

[@TheKrippler]

do kadee couplers work on all g scale cars. thannks

[@michaelmorgan7893]

I mounted some Bachmann couplers on a LGB Santa Fe caboose. They fit directly onto the trucks, but that little whip like spring on the coupler has no place to go. Has anyone come up with a way to make them work?

[@fraidykat]

It's rather important to distinguish what scale the object is that is receiving the coupler. 1:32 or 1:29 G scale is not 1:24 or 1:22.5 LGB or 1:20.3 Fn3/G Bachmann. Bachmann's or LGB's coupler should Not work well sizewise in 1:29 scale, naturally.

[@michaelmorgan7893]

I found out today that the USA trains coupler is NOT a direct fit for their USA GP 30 locomotive. The drawbar on the locomotive looks nothing like the diagram, so I tried to modify the old hook and loop drawbar to make the USA coupler fit. I eventually want to convert to Kadee on the GP30.

[@kennethdavis8892]

Good video, I wish I knew if a Kadee G scale coupler could fit into a Kadee 1 scale draft box

[@jrrailroad7631]

Hey thanks. My gut tells me no because I think the shank would be too tall for the box opening, but not sure! The 1 Scale stuff is cool but I’ve never messed with it. Have a good one...JR

[@donnamarie3617]

No. But, when you buy your G scale Kadees, get ones that come with the draw gear boxes and change them out.

[@aidand4013]

I have hook and loop couplers on my USA train and I have a lgb tanker (hook and loop) a backmann open car (knuckle) and astrocraft boxcar (knuckle) and I just bought 5 astrocraft roiling stock pieces and I want to go knuckles so I want to keep the astrocraft couplings. What is the next best brand to go to that will hook up nicely to astrocraft knuckles?

[@donnamarie3617]

Aristocraft couplers are really the odd one out for knuckle couplers, they don't mate well with any other manufacturers coupler. I started with bachman couplers on everything as, like you with your Aristocraft, it's what I had the most of. Then I switched to USA Trains ones as they look great, and are more reliable than bachman, in that they don't random disconnect. I am a little more well off since retiring and am currently going through replacing them all again, this time with G scale Kadees, 100% reliable, strong, look great, couple up like a dream, and are easy to disconnect. The decision is yours, but for any sort of "operating" I would steer away from Aristocraft.

[@sugarsniff3r]

NEVER EVER judge a book by its cover