Converting N Gauge Couplings to NEM

Here's how to convert N gauge couplings from Peco/Graham Farish/Dapol to NEM pockets using the Dapol conversion kit.

In my case I converted some Graham Farish wagons but the process is much the same for other brands. 

First you'll need the Dapol Conversion kit which includes the outer box, inner pocket and some shims to alter the height if it's too low. It also includes a tool with multiple uses, including height checking the pocket, wheel back to back, easishunt pin height, etc. You'll also need a length of track and the wagon you want to convert.

Step 1 - remove the couplings already on the loco. In my case these are the older spring loaded Farish mechanisms, which pry out of the wagon will relative ease. Mind the spring so it doesn't fling off into the abyss!

Next use a suitable knife or scalpel to remove any plastic nubs protruding from the underside of the wagon so that you're left with a flat surface to adher the outer coupling box to.

The photos above show the process of locating the coupler to the underside of the wagon. This is all covered in the instructions which come with the Dapol kit, but you simply line up the wagon with the tool until it won't move, then place the guide over the top against the buffers. Then you place a coupler (take care to make sure it orientated correctly, thin side up) in the space on the tool, apply glue to the top and the bottom of the wagon. Then place the wagon over the top and press down taking care to ensure it's a good fit and the glue starts to bond. It's recommended to use an epoxy glue but I stuck with cyanoacrylate which works fine. As you can see in the pictures above, there is a difference in height which meant the farish wagons ride up to go over the coupling box. At first I thought this would present an issue, but as you can see below, it matches the height of the newer NEM-coupling fitted Farish vent fine.

Here's the final result before fitting the couplers - 

Three down... 20 to go!