What couplings to use?

[geoffgil]

I new to N gauge and modelling railways,  and have always bought new rolling stock, but the other day I bought a couple of very cheap old Pullman Cars (Farish I think, there are no markings) Parlour and Brake. They have no names, so I gather they are the earlier models. Now I got them cheap because there are a couple of couplings missing. I wondering is anybody could tell me which ones I need. Before anyone says I know they are in poor condition, but plan to do them up.

[ntpntpntp]

Those are 1970s Grafar models with their old style coupling which has a plastic pin to secure it.  I call it the  "U-bend" coupling due to the shape of the coupling shaft    

That particular coupling hasn't been used on Farish models for decades.  It may be that specialist spares suppliers such as BR Lines (or a helpful forum member) may have a few sitting around in a "bits box".      I usually suggest looking in the "bargain boxes" of second hand traders at exhibitions, for scrap wagons which have those couplings.

I'm not sure, but it may be possible to obtain complete replacement bogies for these old Pullman coaches, which have a later coupling design (the "T-shank and spring" shaft which was introduced later).  Other folk on here who model in British N should be able to advise   (I went over to European N back in the 80s).

I wonder if anyone has reproduced compatible couplings as 3D prints?  I think yours is the second question in the last 24 hours or so regarding getting hold of this type of coupling.

[geoffgil]

OK thanks for that. I gathered they were not the same as the current ones. I will look out for some second hand ones.
Thanks again

[zwilnik]

Replacing the bogies may be the better long term option. That older type of coupling can be a bit unreliable when matched with newer ones and it'll be easier to swap bogies out (remove the central pin, swap bogie, replace pin)

[PLD]

If these two coaches will always run as a pair and you have 2 out of 4 bogies with intact couplings, you could use a simple fixed bar coupling between the pair though the hole from the coupling pin.

I'm not sure, but it may be possible to obtain complete replacement bogies for these old Pullman coaches, which have a later coupling design (the "T-shank and spring" shaft which was introduced later).

Alternatively, yes - a bogie swap is the simplest solution. All Poole and early China made coaches used bogies of the same appearance (only the coupling mount changed) and more recent examples would have the bonus of improved wheels.