Quick Question - What are "NEM" Pockets on Model Railway Stock?

NEM stands for Normal European Modelling, and the NEM Standards were developed to allow for greater standardisation and interoperability in the hobby. NEM couplings must conform to the NEM 360 standard (available in French, here) and specify the height, size, and functioning of the coupling.

The NEM Pocket standard is NEM 362 (again, in French, here) and defines the stadard for interchangeable NEM couplings. The standards are closely monitored by the US NMRA, which means that manufacturers such as Kadee can provide the market with advanced automatic (un)couplers that are NEM compliant.

NEM pockets ensure that all railway stock is compatible. Hornby (except Railroad), Bachmann, and most others adhere to these standards for HO and OO rolling stock and locomotives. There are similar standards for other scales and gauges.

The list of most common standards is as follows:

• NEM 351 - Coupling standards, terms, and general introduction;
• NEM 355 - N gauge coupling pockets standard;
• NEM 358 - TT gauge (TT scale) coupling pockets standard;
• NEM 360 - HO coupling standard;
• NEM 362 - HO coupling pockets standard;
• NEM 363 - HO replacement coupling pockets standard;
• NEM 365 - standard for O gauge coupling.

The organisation in charge of the information (MOROP) is always looking for volunteers to help translate these documents into English.