When storing or parking your locomotives and cars for a while, what is the best way to set the couplers - eith open or closed ??
I know it has to do with streching the spring or not and should help preserve the "spring" in the springs.
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Hi James, I think this is the first time I've seen this question! I know where your coming from, and on tools etc. I would normally keep the spring "relaxed" for storage purposes. I doubt the coupler springs will experience any compression stress given the age of some of the rolling stock people are using is in excess of 75 years old and still no issues. I guess technically the open position would be best, but otherwise you'd not be aware in our life times
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Stack
Others have posted that it is important in Lionel MPC-era cars to keep the couplers open; I think it was because the spring is plastic and is apt to get tired, just as you suspected.
I have found cases where cars have been stored for several years before I put them on the layout, that leaving the couple closed, did cause the spring to loose tension. Not on all cars, but for sure on those with the plastic coupler jaw with the spring as part of the jaw: Those will take a set.
So, whether or not my particular car will take a set, I have been following the practice of opening the couplers on all boxed and stored cars. Now, cars on a display shelf, is another story. I keep them locked together just to prevent movement on the display shelf. Probably won't be running those cars much anyway.
Paul Fischer
