Rolling Stock Buffers

[AlanPartridge]

Hi Everyone,

I have just purchased a number of the Graham Farish MBS Megabox High-sided Bogie Box Wagons in maroon (377-650) and have realised that some have buffers (650) and some do not (651).  I am very new to N Gauge so didn't think to look, both types appear to be identical except for the buffers.

Is there a reason why some have them and some do not? I would prefer them to all look the same.  I have 2 with buffers and 3 without.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you 

[scotsoft]

Hello Alan,

Welcome to the forum 

As for your query they come in two forms as they run in sets of five, made up of 'outers' with buffers and 'inners' without so it sounds like you have bought a full set.

cheers John.

[Newportnobby]

AH HAH!

Welcome to the forum, Alan.
May your stay be a long and happy one

[AlanPartridge]

Thank you both for the welcome!

Cheers John, that makes sense.  That's how I arranged them this morning when I hooked them up!

Thanks for the response.

[edwin_m]

One of the Americanisms imported by EWS when they were owned by Wisconsin Central.  There seemed to be a plan to go over to American-style buckeye couplers which don't need buffers.  Their Class 66 have a buckeye which drops to reveal a normal coupling hook.  As well as the MBAs, most of the HTA hoppers only have buckeyes so most of these rakes don't even have buffers at the outer end.  As they never got round to fitting buckeyes to the 60s, these can't normally haul HTAs. 

Nobody else followed this - 66s and wagons used by other operators just have the normal coupling hook and buffers.