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!
 

 

Peco Plan 2: BR Branch Line Progress Update May 2026

A quick update for the bank holiday weekend - 

The wagons and 3d printed loads I mentioned in the last post arrived to add some more variety:

They're nicely made and can be easily swapped between wagons. You can also see another new addition above - a Sonic Models 56xx.

Unfortunately this arrived with some damage, which the seller was quick to part-refund to account for, but in addition I also found it had a slightly split gear. Sam at Sonic Models was quick to reply but unfortunately they don't have any spares for these now. So I've glued it with some AC and it seems to be holding for now. We'll see how it goes.

I've also decided I need some more magnets for the easishunt couplings - one in the fiddleyard, and one here in the runaround -

This will just make operations easier in the long term I think for shunting wagons back into the two sidings.

Otherwise that's it for now - I have a list of NEM pockets and couplings I need to buy to convert the rest of my rolling stock so that's my job for the rest of May I think whilst the weather is improving. 

Peco Plan 2: BR Branch Line Progress Update April 2026

It's been a while since I last posted - but some more progress has been made, albeit not as much as I'd have liked.

 

 

First I replaced the cheap 12V power supply with a Gaugemaster WM1 - this is a 16V AC supply which splits into AC and DC feeds which powers the blocksignalling CDU nicely!

I then replaced the PWM controller entirely as I wasn't happy with the slow speed performance and didn't want to faff about adding in diodes etc to try and improve it. I've since obtained a handheld AGW-built Graham Farish controller to replace the W in the picture above (which lives on my shelf OO layout).

In the above I have fitted the magnets for the Dapol Easi-shunt couplings... so you know what's coming next.

Fitting them to all the rolling stock of course - of which I have ordered a few more pieces. I decided I needed some plank wagons, so I have a 3, 5 and 7 plank coming in BR grey with some 3D printed loads to add variety. I've also ordered an insulted van and a conflat.

 I'll need to order some more easi-shunt couplings to say the least! And Dapol conversions packs to replace the Peco and GF coupling pockets.