EZ-Mate couplers

[trainman717]

I am new to the world of baachman, having grown up with Hornby back home.
I have just started to bulid a layout and have bought some loco's and rolling stock. My question is 1 will EZ-Mate couplers work with Hook & Horn and 2 if they do not can I upgrade all my Hook & Horn to EZ-Mate couplers?

[Yampa Bob]

Yes, you can upgrade to knuckle couplers. Most recommend using Kadee metal couplers for the upgrade.  If the horn-hook couplers are truck mounted, I usually take drastic measures by rebuilding the bolsters, body mounting the couplers and modifying or replacing the trucks/wheelsets. Here's my pictorial:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,4917.0.html

My choice of coupler is Kadee #148 with companion draft boxes, but there are drop in replacements for the horn-hook.

Others will comment on less drastic, and perhaps cheaper methods to upgrade the couplers.

[BIG BEAR]

  Hey t-man,
    Most people have a certain consist order, some like it for looks other's think a certain or exact consist was always a standard by a railroad co. or
my train runs best in this order. You could easily get a way with changing as little as 1 front coupler and always keeping the older stuff together.

     Enjoy,
           Barry

[trainman717]

Yes, you can upgrade to knuckle couplers. Most recommend using Kadee metal couplers for the upgrade.  If the horn-hook couplers are truck mounted, I usually take drastic measures by rebuilding the bolsters, body mounting the couplers and modifying or replacing the trucks/wheelsets. Here's my pictorial:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,4917.0.html

My choice of coupler is Kadee #148 with companion draft boxes, but there are drop in replacements for the horn-hook.

Others will comment on less drastic, and perhaps cheaper methods to upgrade the couplers.

Thanks for the advice and such a wealth of knowelge 

[trainman717]

  Hey t-man,
    Most people have a certain consist order, some like it for looks other's think a certain or exact consist was always a standard by a railroad co. or
my train runs best in this order. You could easily get a way with changing as little as 1 front coupler and always keeping the older stuff together.

     Enjoy,
           Barry

Thanks Barry for the advice

[SteamGene]

There are two reasons to convert to knuckle couplers.
1.  They are far more realistic looking.
2.  If you are going to operate - that is doing set outs and pick ups, backing and pushing, the knuckle coupler is far more dependable. 
Which of these two reasons is more important to you is up to you.  But when converting, Kadees are the coupler of choice.
Gene