I have only post-war stock. I like it due to its weight and detail. Also, I've switched out all my coil couplers for mag couplers. They are easier to work with and require a less complicated uncoupler track. I'm not doing collectables - only "Playables". My adjustments are mostly just bending with pliers. My problem is to pick a measurement then bend everything to the same height. Don----Original Message-----
From: rbd1949@aol.com
To: ttat-members@aoot.com
Sent: Thu, Nov 19, 2009 8:15 pm
Subject: Re: Lionel Mag Couplers
Don. What kind of cars are you using? Postwar, MPC, or more current stuff? Some cars may not adjust. Others can. Most of the post war cars are the ones that are affected. The metal clip that holds the coupler on to the trucks is where you want to make your adjustments. I have no experience with MPC cars.Also, on the club layout there are dips between modules. This can affect cars that are seriously out of alignment. We try to level things when we set up, but sometimes it still doesn't help. The closer you can match couplers the better the results will be. If certain cars won't stay together, you might try using twistie ties between couplers. Or moving to end of train. It's all a matter of trial and error.
Good luck. Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: don448@aol.com
To: ttat-members@aoot.com
Sent: Wed, Nov 18, 2009 5:04 pm
Subject: Re: Lionel Mag Couplers
Bill,Thanks. 3/8 is close enough for government work. I keep losing coupler connections without the jaws opening. I think it's dissimilar heights. First I'll fix the height, then on to the next possible cause. Thanks. Don
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Lohman <844bill@gmail.com>
To: ttat-members@aoot.com
Sent: Wed, Nov 18, 2009 3:49 pm
Subject: Re: Lionel Mag Couplers
Hi Don.The two rail folks in all scales have standards and standards guages. But, to my knowledge this doesn't exist in O Gauge 3 rail.The newer Atlas O and Lionel cars of mine all match up very well and so that's my defacto standard. Atlas O is the best to use as they manufacture to the tightest standards.The height from top of center rail to bottom of coupler on a sample of my Atlas O cars is about 3/8 inch average give or take a 16th of an inch.Since the coupler "jaws" are 3/8 inch deep from bottom to top, a 16th of an inch varation should still allow lots of overlap. Can even get away with an 8th of an inch variation for one of the two couplers still leaving half an inch overlap..Rick and Ricky are always running trains with over 50 cars right out of the box with no need to adjust coupler height and very seldom have coupler height problems.Good Luck.Bill
On Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 12:23 PM, <don448@aol.com> wrote:
General Question!!I'm trying to put together a string of assorted cars and find my couplers don't all match up. Is there a suggested standard height to bend them to? I presume the distance would be from the top of the rail to the bottom(top?) of the coupler. Thanks. Don Newman