Firstly, how do I tell if a wagon has a close coupling mechanism? The part where it would be is often hidden inside the car's base. I did exchange a a Relex coupler for a close coupler from another car just to see what would happen. (NEM pockets sure make life simpler) It doesn't crash & burn in R1 curves or s-bends - so I assume this might mean it does have the mechanism?

Another thing I've been wondering about is that Märklin sells close couplers for rolling stock both with and without guide mechanisms. What exactly do the latter do? Do they come with an integrated guide mechanism, enabling close coupled operation, or are they merely to make older stock couple more gently with newer stock with fully fledged close couplers?

Thanks.

Hi Elukka,

it is important to remember that a close coupling system consists of two elements, the coupling shaft and the coupling head. The design of the coupling shaft features a mechanism which pushes the shaft out when the coach is turning. This results in more space between coaches in curves and brings the coaches closer together when rolling straight, thus enabling buffer to buffer operation on straight sections.

It is possible to install modern coupling heads on older couplings. In most older designs, this will reduce the space between coaches by a mm or two, but it is not true close coupling.
The easiest way to determine whether your car/coach has a close coupling mechanism is to look for a winged slot underneath which allows the shaft to extend/retract when turning. On the rails, you can see a coach with close coupling mechanism when the baffles are in contact on a straight section, but the coaches "push away" from each other in curves.

Retrofit kits for older Maerklin cars/coaches are not available from Maerklin, but there are some companies (Symoba, Roco) that make retrofit kits for some 2 and 4 axle (bogie) cars/coaches.

Regards

Mike C