acela coupler issue ( fixed it myself) updated 4-28

That’s good news but if they can get the parts why can’t they get parts for other engines etc.

could be they can get the parts sent or are being sent for other products, but due to the supply chain issues as stated they maybe wating on other parts as well.

the c.s. rep did not have a time frame as to when the coupler or other acela parts would be in.

Years ago when I sent in a high end loco for warranty work, It took a a few weeks before "parts" were available. At the time Lionel per say did no longer receive parts for high end locos, they basically would order extras of each loco and dis-assemble them. So the wait was for extra engines to be dis-assembled and parts to be put into the inventory system. Not sure if this is still the same practice.

Just thought I would let others know how I fixed the stripped coupler on my engine. As luck would have it I had a screw that was slightly bigger than the coupler hole for the factory screw. So I screwed it in and it broke off,but turns out that was a good thing after all.

So I used my dremel to grined it down flush with the coupler end essentially filling in the original hole.I then used a very tiny drill bit in my dremel to tap a new hole for the factory screw. I then scewed in the original screw very slowly allowing the screw to basically thread the new hole.

Then I re attached the coupler and made sure it was tight and would hold on snugly. I pulled on it aggressively and it held. So then I used some gorilla super glue to make sure the screw would not back out. Now it works fine. I checked all my other cars and put a dab of super glue on each coupler screw to ensure they do not work loose.

It all works now wonderfully. I must say after all this I  am kinda disappointed that I had to go through all  this with a new set costing 3,000.00,but thats lionel though and at lest now I can enjoy the set. Best of all when my new couplers come from lionel I will have 2 spares for any future coupler failings.