You need to see if the couplers are opening or they are disconnecting. If they are opening, you have to see if it happens in the same place on your layout. That would indicate uneven track work.
If it is at random places, check the distance of the bottom of the weights above the rails. They should be 1/32" above the rail when the coupler is closed. If it is less than 1/32", bend the bolster up with a pair of needle nose pliers. If the couplers are remaining closed but detaching. Add a small piece of tape to the inside of the coupler, opposite the knuckle. You may need to add several small pieces, one on top of the next. Masking or electrical tape will work. This will close the gap in the coupler but leave it fully operational. Hope this helps. RFG ----- Original Message ----- From: traindoctor2003 To: rfgiardina Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2003 5:51 PM Subject: Re: Keeping knuckle couplers from uncoupling? ---Actually, the problem seem present in all the old (pre 57) and all newer cars I have. Some have k-couplers from 1957 as OEM and some have been fitted with replacement Af couplers in 1957 to replace the old link couplers. I could be off a year or two here, but all the replacement couplers were genuine AF stock from a distributor. Even the newest knuckle couplers from three different vendors I purchased from this year give the same problem as the old couplers. I have taken special pains to level and equalize them and to make certain that they were not off diagonal. All this to no avail! Actually, the ones that give me no problems whatsoever are the 60's type cars with 'pikemaster' solid couplers that I have been getting from ebay. Perhaps the solution really is to glue them together at the weights. Since I am not concerned with 'uncoupling' the cars. Heck, I just want the engine and its load to stay together! In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "rfgiardina" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Are the couplers opening or are they uncoupling with the knuckle > still closed? It makes a big difference. Are the couplers pre 1956 or > post 1957? The solution to the problem depends on the answers to > these questions. > > Gilbert retooled the KC in 1955-56, to solve the problem of coupler > decoupling. However the first run of the new couplers were no help. > So they made a second attempt. > > If the couplers are opening, then they must be adjusted according to > the instructions printed for conversion KC's. > > RFG > > > > --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "traindoctor2003" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > This is a big problem for me, that is, keeping the train cars > coupled > > to prevent train wrecks on the multi-loop layout I have. > > I tried using small "o" rings from the hardware store and slipping > > them over the knuckle weights to act as a 'damper'. > > But some of these cars still uncouple themselves. > > Anybody have any better ideas I could use to keep these knuckle > > couplers tight and connected..............short of 'crazy glue' > that > > is! > > Thanks, Mikey. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] S-Trains list sponsor: http://www.americanflyertrains.com All the Flyer you desire...books and accessories too! To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list send a note to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
