Lionel couplers compatible with Athearn genesis locomotives couplings?

• Lionel couplers compatible with Athearn genesis locomotives couplings?
  Posted by ModelTrainHobbyist on 18 Mar, 2014 11:09
• Hi there!
  
  Had a question the other day from someone in the UK wondering if Lionel couplers were compatible with Athearn Genesis locos. couplings. I am not sure so I thought I would put it out there for any of you! Also, if Lionel isn't compatible, are there any other manufacturers that are- Bachmann, MTH, Atlas? Thanks for your help!
  
  Best,
  Sonja
  
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• #1 Reply
  Posted by djacobsen on 18 Mar, 2014 12:24
• Sonja,
  whether the couplers will be compatible will depend upon when & by who the Lionel rolling stock was produced by.
  Early  Lionel HO was produced under license by Rivarossi and may have a horn hook type coupler.
  Later production in the U.S. by Lionel should have a knuckle type coupler  that should be compatable with the Athern Genesis locomotive couplers.
  I spoke with Athern and they said that most knuckle couplers would work.
  If your acquaintence has rolling stock with the hook & horn type, it would be easy for them to convert over to knuckle couplers.  If not on all, making a transition car with a knuckle coupler on one end and leaving the hook & horn on the other would enable them to hook up to the Athern Locomotive and pull the rest of their cars. If they plan on mixing rolling stock, change over to knuckle couplers would be best.
  If the other brand rolling stock has knuckle couplers, they should work with the Athern couplers.
  
  Happy Rails!
  Dave
  
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• #2 Reply
  Posted by ModelTrainHobbyist on 19 Mar, 2014 20:55
• This is awesome! Do you know if this applies to other manufacturers as well?
  
  Thanks!
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• #3 Reply
  Posted by ModelTrainHobbyist on 19 Mar, 2014 22:59
• Just realized you answered the question about the other brands already Thank you!!
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• #4 Reply
  Posted by djacobsen on 19 Mar, 2014 23:30
• Sonja
  Welcome to the Forum!
  I hope we've helped your friend get their trains on the track & running.
  I'm always happy to help when I can.
  Happy Rails!
  Dave
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• #5 Reply
  Posted by J. S. Bach on 11 May, 2014 11:28
• [djacobsen  quote]Early  Lionel HO was produced under license by Rivarossi and may have a horn hook type coupler.
   ...snip...
  If your acquaintance has rolling stock with the hook & horn type, it would be easy for them to convert over to knuckle couplers. [/quote]
  
  I always had a little bit of "trouble" mounting the usual (KayDee brand in my case) knuckle couplers to Rivarossi equipment as their couplers are/were truck-mounted and I wanted to body mount them. This was HO.
  
  
  
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