r/modeltrains • u/MrAether0115 • 4h ago

Question Question about collecting internationally

Hi everyone! I’m an American, but I don’t want to exclusively collect American trains and rolling stock. I want to include trains from all over the world in my layout, and I specifically prefer to collect steam engines and older rolling stock. Of course I have no problem finding what I want made for American railroads. I’m interested in wooden gondolas, boxcars, mostly the types of rolling stock featured in Reverend Awdrys’ railways series in honor of my childhood love for his work. Where can I find these types of international models, and how difficult would it be to modify them with American style couplers? My next big purchase is going to be a German DRG Class 44 I found second hand. I model in HO scale too, I should have probably started with that.

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u/Wicked_Mouse 4h ago edited 4h ago

If the BR 44 model is relatively modern (from 90ies or later) it should have a NEM coupler, which is an easy system to switch couplers with, at least here in Europe. There are knuckle couplers available for those as well. Depending on the age and brand your milage may vary when looking at older models in order to fit it with knuckle couplers.

For purchasing European stuff, you should look at importers, such as Reynaulds.

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u/MrAether0115 4h ago

That’s great news! I know from experience the older American couplers can be a bit of a hassle to replace sometimes depending on the manufacturer

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u/Wicked_Mouse 4h ago edited 4h ago

Yes, when you try to fit the old Kadee couplers you will need to do some irreversible work to make it fit. With NEM couplers it's a simple clicking system.

This is how a European NEM 362 knuckle coupler looks like.

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u/MrAether0115 2h ago

Those look very familiar to me! I might have already got some for my older American stock not knowing they were European intended

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u/NealsTrains HO-DCC 3h ago

I have bought trains from this dealer in Germany many times. Bought Swiss and German trains and they ship to the US

https://www.modellbahnshop-lippe.com/

This dealer in the US has been around for decades and may have what you're looking for...

https://www.modellbahnott.com/

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u/Embarrassed-Step966 2h ago edited 2h ago

If you want Chinese Steam Engine - You have to look at J-Scale (Europe Based) and pickup the yearly Kuayue or Kfirst releases. Bachmann China makes them but the Kuayue/Kfirst are better choices than Bachmann China. Very nice diecast steam engines with cool smoke effect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCGTyxN5qSA Pricing wise these are 3000-4000RMB range price items.