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Post by thebigcrabcake on Jan 3, 2020 10:49:42 GMT
1. All of the best passenger cars in my collection have operating couplers.
2. Passenger trains with more than 8 cars will occasionally/frequently uncouple while running, usually at the weakest coupler.
3. I have Never used/nor have I ever wanted to use remote uncoupling with a passenger train.
4. I know of no one who uses remote uncoupling with a passenger train.
5. Fixed couplers would be cheaper a solve the mystery uncoupling problem.
Should Passenger Cars have “Fixed” Couplers?
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Post by josef on Jan 3, 2020 11:05:54 GMT
I never saw the need for working couplers. Have replaced several with fixed couplers that were problematic. They also look better and more realistic. I have 2 dozen fixed coupler, scale sized, and may just add these as time permits.
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Post by harborbelt70 on Jan 3, 2020 11:37:42 GMT
I vote to do away with working couplers but I’ve no doubt that it would cause a storm of protest if Lionel or MTH did. It is occasionally useful to have a coupler opening tab but for the most part the couplers look unsightly and it’s a bore when they fail.
Actually, just to prove my grumpy old man status again, I don’t like the look of Kadees either!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2020 12:32:41 GMT
There's a reason I convert all rolling stock to Kadee and I'll leave it at that.
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Post by Country Joe on Jan 3, 2020 12:53:23 GMT
I voted for fixed couplers standard. In all my years model railroading I have never switched passenger cars. My passenger cars run as a unit so operating couplers are a potential nuisance with no positive side for me.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2020 13:08:11 GMT
I have to say I voted no. My passenger cars are staged and remain coupled most of the time. However, I also use a switcher to set the consist up and having automatic couplers is nice. Yes they can become cranky, but if you learn how to keep your uncoupler track working and learn how to repair alignment and coupler opening springs you can enjoy their operation. I do use that feature. My goal is to be hands off on the operation and sometimes it works out pretty cool.
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Post by josef on Jan 3, 2020 13:30:58 GMT
I have to say I voted no. My passenger cars are staged and remain coupled most of the time. However, I also use a switcher to set the consist up and having automatic couplers is nice. Yes they can become cranky, but if you learn how to keep your uncoupler track working and learn how to repair alignment and coupler opening springs you can enjoy their operation. I do use that feature. My goal is to be hands off on the operation and sometimes it works out pretty cool. Just to explain why I switched to non operating couplers, scale size, (not Kadee, rather fixed). I use to run passenger trains intermittently with only 1 assigned for a daily run. The others were assigned to a siding till needed. When I run my NYC or SF, the appropriate engine would be pulled out. Then appropriate switcher either a NYC, or SF would couple up and pull the passenger cars to the main line, uncouple and the appropriate engine would couple up and head out. I have never had a need for working couplers on the passenger cars especially after having a short created by a button equipped passenger car were the slack caused a short and damaged an engine board, also coming apart of passenger cars. I've run for months before without a hitch, then not once but twice had uncoupling were the coupler button caused a short at switches. At first I cut buttons off and glued couplers closed, but after buying some scale couplers and seeing a more realistic look to the consist and haven't had a single problem in over a year. The only coupling/uncoupling I see on my layout is from engines to passenger cars. I've not seen a need to uncouple individual passenger cars, but can understand a need by the layout or how one operates their passenger car consists why they would need to keep working couplers. Excellent discussions.
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Post by ptc on Jan 3, 2020 13:44:36 GMT
This is my opinion based upon my unique use. I don't have a swithing yard, so I place the trains on the tracks and just run them. No need for me to uncouple the passenger cars.
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Post by JDaddy on Jan 3, 2020 14:18:36 GMT
FIXED COUPLERS - That pivot correctly for 072 curves and do not cause cars to derail. Plus please remove the "dumb tack" coupler release.
Weaver passenger cars are nice but with the metal low hanging thumb tack I had to cut them off and wire the couplers shut. problem solved for reliable running.
Now for the new Lionel 21 in cars... that is a whole new issue...
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Post by Yellowstone Special on Jan 3, 2020 15:20:16 GMT
I voted yes. But in over 8 years of operating passenger trains including Lionel and K-Line aluminums, I’ve never had trouble with cars uncoupling in motion.
I just never understood why manufacturers thought passenger cars needed operating couplers when 95% of us run our passenger cars as units and never have a need to “switch” them.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2020 15:27:27 GMT
I too never switch op my passcars. And the "Dumb Tack" has GOT to go. However, it should be optional to have the couplers operate or not. Perhaps if there was a way to simply reliably LOCK them...  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2020 17:06:33 GMT
I vote fixed.
I'm sure Lionel will come out with option cars .... they will include a small tube of super glue.
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Post by sdivtim on Jan 3, 2020 17:18:10 GMT
That last answer was a mouthful 😂
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Post by JDaddy on Jan 3, 2020 19:17:18 GMT
I vote fixed. I'm sure Lionel will come out with option cars .... they will include a small tube of super glue. Actually a small bag of Kadees maybe more appropriate.
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Post by Charlie on Jan 4, 2020 17:39:33 GMT
I took a few days to respond to this question because I am actually split on my feelings. So, based on my experience alone and how I operate passenger cars I voted to keep the operating couplers.
1, I operate on both a small home layout and a fairly large modular layout.
2, I have converted some cars to Kadees as well as true scale couplers (Protocraft).
3, At the club, the cars do sometimes get mixed in (added) to other passenger trains because we have the size to do that. I.E. combine two Milwaukee Road train sets to get one long string of passenger cars.
Since I operate both on a small layout and a modular layout, I have found the Kadees too limiting, not only in horizontal swing but also vertical travel. On the modular layout, let then perfect aligned modules can provide enough vertical difference that the Kadees will separate. Yes, if this was my layout, I would fix the problem, but not all the modules are mine, we have to work with what we have.
Looks, Yes, the smaller Kadees and true scale couplers look more correct, I do not have a problem with the tin-plate couplers. In some cases, the size “fills” in the gaps better. In any case, I just don’t see the couplers as a visual problem.
Operation, in all my passenger cars, the absolute worst couplers are the factory supplied units from Golden Gate Depot. With that said, none of the couplers from any of the manufactures have ever uncoupled on me a second time. In reality, I have had very little issues with couplers. If and when I do have a problem, I fix them. I have never found a coupler that could not be fixed, and I don’t mean with tape/rubber bands/glue. I just find the manufacturing error and fix it, really not a big deal. The couplers are pretty simple operationally. The problems are not the designs, but the manufacturing specification or tolerance.
Another thing I do is remove the “thumb tack” from all my cars (usually Golden Gate Depot and some of the newest Lionel) with a Dremel cut off wheel. Takes about 10 seconds and touch up any scuffs with a Sharpie.
I do add a scale coupler (Protocraft) to the end of all my observation cars as I do think this area benefits from the scale look. However, operationally, these couplers are not compatible with anything else, so these cars have to remain on the end.
Charlie
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