Forgive my ignorance - but what are NEM couplings and how do they differ from standard couplings with springs? What do the letters NEM stand for? and why have more than one type?

Norm Europäischer Modellbahnen

It refers to the standard for a coupling pocket into which the coupling itself locates on the wagon/coach/locomotive. It mean you can easily change couplings for different varieties and lengths, knuckle couplers for easier uncoupling and so forth.
So with NEM coupling pockets it makes no difference out of the box as all (that I have seen) british outline stock still comes with functionally the same rapido coupling as always, but if you want to use a different coupling it makes it much easier to change them. At least, that's the idea...

Cue someone turning up to tell me I've got it all wrong...

It is just a standard fitting so that you can simply pull out a, say, Rapido type and plug in a, say, Dapol EZ Shunt or whatever.  It is quite a new feature on N gauge models

It stands for Normen Europäischer Modellbahnen (I had to Google it!)  It is the European Model Railway standards organisation.

The equivalent American standards body is the NMRA.

Cheers

Jon 

Oh, and if you want to add the detail parts that many pieces of stock now come with that would otherwise be swept off by the coupling, you can just pop it out of the pocket.

Be aware if you are buying new Graham Farish locos and rolling stock, some of the items in the catalogue shown as having NEM coupling do not. I have bought a Colas Class 66 371-395  and an  EWS HTA hopper 373-850C both shown as NEM and neither are, an email from GF confirms they are not fitted, so ask the supplier before you buy.

Geoff

Quote from: geoffc on February 23, 2014, 11:28:13 AM
Be aware if you are buying new Graham Farish locos and rolling stock, some of the items in the catalogue shown as having NEM coupling do not. I have bought a Colas Class 66 371-395  and an  EWS HTA hopper 373-850C both shown as NEM and neither are, an email from GF confirms they are not fitted, so ask the supplier before you buy.

Geoff

Very good reminder Geoff.  I can't use any of my many Farish 66s for shunting duty with EZ shunt equipped wagons because of this.   

Cheers  Jon 

Jon
Have a look at this link:
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/68401-modifying-stock-to-take-dapol-easy-shunt-magnetic-couplings/

Haven't been brave enough to try it on my 66's yet.
Tried it on my two Farish 20's which buffer lock on 9" radius points with Rapidos. Fitted the long Dapol Easi Shunts and it worked ok, waiting for some more medium Easi Shunts to see if they will work as the long ones protrude too much for my liking. I did not glue them in place, I held them in place with plasticine to try them.

Geoff

Thanks Geoff,

I am going to leave well alone I think.   I have a few Dapol locos that can do the shunting, and my Farish Class 37 which does have NEM couplers.

I think what we really need is a replacement bogie moulding for the 66 that has the NEM pocket!


Cheers  Jon