Ahhhh but which Roco coupling??

But I want the Fleischmann close coupler!

What are the new Märklin close couplers?

Thanks Jean, that good to know.

Cheers…..

Mike

Hi Paul
Agreed Märklin couplers don't work in curves, they are not so tolerant with differences in height and orientation and last, the coupling buckles should be sharpened to avoid a situation when both buckles raise and go past the "advance decoupling tongue".
It looks like a big grievances list but IMO they work quite well

Decoupling


Coupling


Cheers
Jean

You are correct, Roco has a number of different couplers, including the Fleischmann coupler.

Well, I shall go ahead and "shove my oar in the water" of this "River"

Caveat #1: I am Analogue
Caveat #2: There is this past thread (6 years ago)

https://www.marklin-users.net/fo...-couplers-availability-s

Are we talking about DIGITAL automatic coupling (87:1 Prototype) as shown here?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcxeEC-ga3o

Because I found this Roco item which may be the one to which Tom was referring:

https://www.roco.cc/ren/40411-di...llation-kit-nem-652.html

However, I can not begin to imagine the complexities inherent in having something like this installed on hundreds of loks and rolling stock (let alone the "investment" thereunto pertaining...) and whether it will be universal enough to be included in and/or compatible with the MS and/or CS3 systems...(it seems the Roco is specific unto itself).

Also, unless I am reading more or less into this, at this point the Digital couplers really are for just loks? I am open to clarification, please. Would not every single car require some form of power pick-up to control the decoder or would the couplers be "current conducting"?

If I am incorrect, please forgive me, however, I do try to understand as much as I can about our hobby and love

Thanks and apologies in advance

Hi Jimmy
Automatic couplings exist since decades (in 1935 for Märklin) of course more or less efficient and more or less compatible with other types
Then came "close couplings" in the late 70s (only 1986 for Märklin). They were of various type but ALL had in common that - when coupled - they would form a rigid bar to allow the elongation / close coupling mechanism to work

It looks like Piko is proposing something close to what Märklin calls a RELEX coupler.

REALITY CHECK
- yes these couplings are automatic BUT usually pose problems when trying to automatically couple with types of couplers / maintain coupling through track irregularities
- in fact, Piko's approach is a temporary fix until you replace the coupling by a fully compatible one (with yours).
- not only Piko but also Roco and Märklin are proposing these couplings for universal use or ease of use by children (Märklin Start-up line)
- using these universal couplings with other types (e.g. with Mârklin's KK) lead to issues with uncoupling track or Telex couplers


Cheers

Jean

Fleischmann closecoupler is pretty robust, but as mentioned; not ideal for switching, as it needs quite a push to engage. It´s nice and short.
I have problems with them on K-track, as they can catch the pukos when going over switches. I ususally lower the guilty part by cutting 1 millimeter off, and/or flattening the bottom with a soldering iron.
(I seem to remember that they actually exist in two versions, precisely because of this problem¿?)

The Roco short coupling is also good. But because it is so long, it looks quite ugly at the end of the trains. So as with the Fleischmann coupler I only use them in-between trains, and never at the front and rear. It´s fine, as most of my trains are rarely changed.
Not as reliable as the Fleishmann coupler. Also, the only movable piece it has, tends to fall off.

For both the Fleischmann and Roco couplers, they have the unusual benefit of being able to uncouple just by lifting a wagon vertically upwards!

The Roco universal coupler is my "go-to" solution for connecting all non-Märklin rolling stock to Märklin locos. They are not really short, but for most use it is "short enough".
I agree with river6109 that it is the most reliable coupling.
As with the other two mentioned couplings, they only couple with their own kind. So even when you THINK the universal coupler coupled with something else, you might be in for a suprice when the train hits the first curve; If it was the Roco universal that got its loop around the hook on the other coulping, it WILL uncouple, as its loop is open to one side!

Märklin close couplers are quite fiddly. They couple like cats and dogs; Somemtimes impossible to connect, at other times impossible to separate.
I have too many unfortunate random de-couplings. Even between newer original Märklin material. I am NOT totally happy with them.
The vast majority of my couplers are of this Märklin close coupler type, so I cant be sure if I would have the same amount of uncoupling-failures with the others.
Any "stutter" or sudden stop can leave the couplers pre-uncoupled. Only happens with Márklin close coupler!
The older (still most common) version of the Märklin close coupler is too high for almost all non-Märklin rolling stock; it will not clear the buffers on many newer stock. So you WILL have to use Roco or Fleischmann couplings, if you want the connection short.
In any other case they are good for coupling to older hook-and-loop style couplings, so they only coupling to truly "bridge the gap"!

I still do not own any of the newer version of the Märklin close coupler that JohnJeanB mention, but I hope to get some soon! On paper, this would be the perfect coupling. (the one that solves the most problems at the same time)

Lastly, we have the good old hook-and-loop couplers (including Märklin Relex couplers). These are excellent and reliable. They will usually couple across any brand. They are fine for shunting games too.
Only drawback; They do NOT couple close!

I may begin to see where my puzzling comes in.

It is actually Digital UNcoupling (Piko and apparently Roco and ESU) wherein one can, with the press of a button on the MS/CS/Whatever, UNcouple a lok from a train anywhere on the layout without the need for any in-/under-track mechanisms. We might even add in the word "Remote" to the digital function.

Piko's just happens to resemble those with which we are familiar...Roco and ESU are the more modern take...

Granted, one would not want to hit "That" button while traveling uphill...Ooops! runaway train

Sorry for my mass confusion as I obviously was way off and misinterpreted John's initial question, as he had just recently posted this:

https://www.marklin-users.net/fo...duces-automatic-coupling