Atlas 3 rail coupler question

OMG they are putting those eyesores on freight cars now?

I thought it was only reserved for their fine scale diesels.

Good Grief!!! Another reason to up-grade to fixed pilots and Kadee couplers.

Am I understanding that this is what is SUPPOSED to be on my car?
Was hoping there was some mistake.
Looks like the wrong shank has been used.

It's awful...

I believe it is SUPPOSED to be a modern "cushioned" coupler/draft gear combination like the car on the right in this prototype photo.

Yes, Bob has it correct. The car is as it was designed.

Sam, I'm with Bob and SD60M on it.

The first time I saw those on prototype cars I wondered about it. They looked funny because I wasn't used to seeing them. I thought it must be to help long cars negotiate curves. I even asked about it on the real trains board here. And someone explained it.

In other words, I agree it doesn't look particularly good on that Atlas car, but it looks odd on the prototype also. So, I think I would try to disregard it.

LOL!

Like they aren't big enough already, right?!

Well, it is good to know that Atlas got it right.

c sam, i have several of atlas "O" freight cars and that is the same couplers that i have. the couplers that you have on your freight car is the correct coupler..............rogerw.

So what's the "excuse" for the Diesels then?

quote:

Originally posted by SB..:
So what's the "excuse" for the Diesels then?

I think they were trying to emulate the draft box around the shank of the electronic coupler. I'm slowly switching over to Kadees, partly because of the appearance, but because I've had one too many three-rail couplers develop uncoupling problems.