Chuck,
In my opinion, the Accumates are perfectly compatible with the MTs. In fact I think they are just Atlas' "knock-offs" of the MT design. Some people have complained about the performance of the Accumates, compared to the MTs.
First, get a pair of MT trucks and make yourself a couple "conversion cars" by putting an MT truck on one end and leaving the old Rapido on the other. That way you can run your trains with your Accumate fitted locos while you work on the rest of your conversion program.
I have just recently completed converting ALL of my stuff to MicroTrain trucks and couplers, except the lighted passenger cars. (More about that in a moment.)
I think, once you've experienced running trains with Micro Train couplers, trucks and wheels, you will NEVER "go back"! They are so smooth and make the cars very "light on their feet"! They just seem to glide over the track!
I would advice you to try a few different types of MT trucks (with couplers) and see what you think. Try the short shank as well as the medium shank. I've used almost all short shanks and I've had no problems at all, even on my (many) 9 3/4" curves. It makes the cars sit much closer and more realistic looking. The type of truck (Bettendorf, Roller Bearing or Barber) will be determined by the "era" of the rolling stock. (Although the "Truck Authenticity Police" have never visited my layout to check up on me!) ;)
Most rolling stock, like Atlas and Life Like, it is as simple as pulling the bolster pin, removing the old truck and popping the MT truck right on.....done! I'm talking seconds here!!
Other makes of cars can be more problematic!
Bachmann, for example, uses screws to hold their trucks on! AND, to add to the fun, the "mounting post" (for lack of a better term) is too fat and the MT opening will not fit over it. Therefore, without major creative surgery, all of your Bachmann cars are pretty much useless. Others have funny "split mushroom" mounts, etc. I just picked out all the "regular" bolster pin cars and did them right away and put the problematic cars aside for future consideration....or maybe auction.
As for Locomotives. There are guys out there that are wizards when it comes to performing the required surgery to swap out truck mounts. I have only ventured into the body mount types myself, using the MT-1015/1016 types on many of my Life Like locos. You can buy them already assembled, if you don't have eyes like a hawk and little tiny pointed fingers! I should know, I assembled about 20 of them....pretty tedious. Once you get the hang of it they aren't hard; it's just that the parts are so very tiny!
As for the lighted passenger cars, I haven't "gotten that far" yet, myself. MT does not make an electrical pick-up truck, that I'm aware of. I've stared at the truck mount couplers on my lighted Bachmanns and just put them back down. One of these days I'll suck it up and tackle them. What make are your lighted cars?
Well, there you go.....jeeze, I may have even outdone Pete on this long-winded answer. It's just that I have become a total devotee of MT equipment and I think they make a world of difference in the quality of ones model railroading experience. I hope you find my info useful and encouraging........
GO FOR IT!
Marc 😄
