A couple notes on this video: 1. This fix "should" work on most modern Lionel passenger cars. 2. We all know that O gauge couplers are the most realistic looking couplers on the face of the earth. :) 3. Aren't my fingers lovely?
I have a few MTH passenger cars that have this very issue. Now I know how to fix it! Thanks Eric! I hope to see more of these DIY features in the future.
This is exactly what I needed to know. I never felt good about permanently gluing the coupler closed with CA glue. Now I can fix couplers the proper way! Thanks Eric! 👏👍😃🚂
Good information. Thanks. I have just reviewed the new catalog and placed my order. Unfortunately, Lionel has become too expensive for my finances, so I am only able to order one item this year. This may well be my very last year of adding to my collection. By the time you add ridiculously high state sales taxes you are over $3000.00 for a big boy... and the set is just short of $5000.00! I hope Lionel realizes they are driving loyal customers away.
I’ve had to do this on a number of cars. Simple and easy. I just wish we had a solution for all of the weaver freight cars that refuse to stay coupled. Not to mention there RPO cars.
Thank you Eric. Finally a detailed explanation to fixing these model cars. On a personal note. It would be my wish; Lionel produce 21" Extruded Aluminum Passenger Cars. With the Same Couplers and Seated Figures as used in the 18" cars. That I would pay for. Perhaps you might run this idea with Lionel? I'd be very interested in their response. Thanks again for your influence in our hobby. Walt
If anyone doesn't feel comfortable doing this, putting a rubber band around the end of the coupler just before the coupler itself can also hold it closed. Also, I might suggest doing any work such as this with everything inside a container, so that if anything goes flying it stays in the container
Excellent helpful vid & detailed explanation. I would like to try that on some Menard's couplers if they were metallic like those. With plastic it's likely a different approach if at all.
Nice instruction. I just bought a Lionel train and the coupler from the coal car looks like it has the same issue. Frustrating because that's the most important coupler.
Pretty simple way to fix a big problem! Question though, could you use a washer or 2 to increase the tension in the spring, rather than pulling the spring apart?
what are club does is when we have a loose coupler, we just grab some zip tags and tie the thing closed. works for the most part and haven't had any issues.
This is awesome! My grand canyon set has the same problem and I've been meaning to message you and ask you if you had had this problem. Thank you for sharing. Were your clam shells in all the car cartons in your set broken and mangled?
i had a few o scale freight cars with this issue but since i can easily take them on and off by hand i glued them shut so that way i can just run them, not the best but it works
I have a k-line passenger train (New York Central 2115). the automatic front coupler broke off. It's held on by a plastic type pin that exspands on one end. can you help me to fix it?
Eric I was looking at the big book 2023 and specifically the reduced shrouded Dreyfus Hudson. While it’s not in the feature they appear to have ash pan glow if you zoom in. The same for the same locomotive two pages later. How can I find out if it is a misprint or an actual feature.
A couple notes on this video:
1. This fix "should" work on most modern Lionel passenger cars.
2. We all know that O gauge couplers are the most realistic looking couplers on the face of the earth. :)
3. Aren't my fingers lovely?
How To videos are always a nice addition
Glad you like them!
Thank you Eric such a timely video
I have a few MTH passenger cars that have this very issue. Now I know how to fix it! Thanks Eric! I hope to see more of these DIY features in the future.
I was just trying to figure out how to replace the coupler and stumbled onto your video👍🏼🚂
Glad I could help
Oh Great Eric! Thy teachings all shall take heed. What is thy bidding mighty one?
lol
This is exactly what I needed to know. I never felt good about permanently gluing the coupler closed with CA glue. Now I can fix couplers the proper way! Thanks Eric! 👏👍😃🚂
You bet.
Good information. Thanks. I have just reviewed the new catalog and placed my order. Unfortunately, Lionel has become too expensive for my finances, so I am only able to order one item this year. This may well be my very last year of adding to my collection. By the time you add ridiculously high state sales taxes you are over $3000.00 for a big boy... and the set is just short of $5000.00! I hope Lionel realizes they are driving loyal customers away.
Superb fix,
it makes good sense to try and resolve small issues .
You’d a man Eric. Great video. Helpful. Good positive attitude.
Very simple yet a pain if not fixed. Might have to looks at mine. Thanks for the how to video!
You bet
The next running trains video could it be all CSX, Northfolk southern, and Amtrak?
Love these tutorials…hope you do more!
I like doing tutorials, but they get WAY fewer views than other types of videos...so I have to sort of sneak them in between the more popular videos.
I’ve had to do this on a number of cars. Simple and easy. I just wish we had a solution for all of the weaver freight cars that refuse to stay coupled. Not to mention there RPO cars.
Thank you Eric. Finally a detailed explanation to fixing these model cars.
On a personal note.
It would be my wish;
Lionel produce 21" Extruded Aluminum Passenger Cars.
With the Same Couplers and Seated Figures as used in the 18" cars.
That I would pay for.
Perhaps you might run this idea with Lionel?
I'd be very interested in their response.
Thanks again for your influence in our hobby.
Walt
If anyone doesn't feel comfortable doing this, putting a rubber band around the end of the coupler just before the coupler itself can also hold it closed. Also, I might suggest doing any work such as this with everything inside a container, so that if anything goes flying it stays in the container
Excellent tutorial and great tips, well done 👏
Excellent helpful vid & detailed explanation. I would like to try that on some Menard's couplers if they were metallic like those. With plastic it's likely a different approach if at all.
I've fixed couple cars same way great show others how make repairs great channel.
Very helpful video! 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks for the advice it worked pretty good.
Thanks for this video have this problem with my gp30 non power engine.mth
Keep up the great videos
Cool that's what i do when my couplers come open Eric!!
hey Eric can you do a review on the new 2023 volume 1 catalog and do a video on what you ordered please?
I've got 2 new Lionel train sets that I had to do this with already
Nice instruction. I just bought a Lionel train and the coupler from the coal car looks like it has the same issue. Frustrating because that's the most important coupler.
Pretty simple way to fix a big problem! Question though, could you use a washer or 2 to increase the tension in the spring, rather than pulling the spring apart?
Maybe
what are club does is when we have a loose coupler, we just grab some zip tags and tie the thing closed. works for the most part and haven't had any issues.
This is awesome! My grand canyon set has the same problem and I've been meaning to message you and ask you if you had had this problem. Thank you for sharing. Were your clam shells in all the car cartons in your set broken and mangled?
i had a few o scale freight cars with this issue but since i can easily take them on and off by hand i glued them shut so that way i can just run them, not the best but it works
I wonder: does this fix mean more force is needed when coupling: more of a "crash" to couple?
A little more force, but not a crash lol
Great video, and thank you. IYKYK.
I have a k-line passenger train (New York Central 2115). the automatic front coupler broke off. It's held on by a plastic type pin that exspands on one end. can you help me to fix it?
Thanks Awsum video 🚂👍
Need a video on how to adjust atlas couplers. I have a few cars that the knuckles come open on…
I've got a new Atlas car that has this problem. Unfortunately it's a different design so I'm not sure how to fix it.
Eric I was looking at the big book 2023 and specifically the reduced shrouded Dreyfus Hudson. While it’s not in the feature they appear to have ash pan glow if you zoom in. The same for the same locomotive two pages later. How can I find out if it is a misprint or an actual feature.
We’ll do doing a podcast with Lionel this month so I’ll ask
Thank you. Mike
Do the emergency breaks kick in when the couplers come apart when in motion on your layout
yes
Easy peezy!
Don't forget your safety glasses .
Cool 👍
I guess its also easier than switching to Kadee's too
There’s a pair of pliers made to hold e clips so that they don’t go flying through the air
I have that problem with one of my mth rail cars
Shame this won’t work on the Crane boom sound cars….LOL
😃👍👍👍
kadee coupler conversion kits. they are scaled down more and wont cause this issue. just my suggestion.
true, but then the minimum required curve goes way up
no , unlike the forum, you just fix them
The same bending procedure fix also works with the cheap plastic couplers. => ua-cam.com/video/r5JsopQEj9o/v-deo.html
Donovan
Donovan
yes ok fix them but if lionel never know there faults you will keep getting faulty couplers so its all ways best to complain