Warning these close couplings will NOT allows for vacuumpipes as fitted on some 009 stock. See Standard variant. 009 Scale Magnetic Couplings Non-polarized CLOSEgap between rolling stock. 5 pair to plug in to Nem pockets. The gap between rolling stock will be closer than standardold couplers( by about one half ),which will NOT allows for vacuum pipes as fitted onsome 009 stock. But I think it looks more realistic and will still allow to negotiate tightishbend. There is no A & B end will work which ever way round you place your rolling stock / locos guaranteed mating no fuss.