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Here are pictures of the piece that broke off the de-coupler.  I see that a Phillips screw attaches that piece of plastic to the coupler, but there is a spring or two involved.  It would be easier to attach that little button if I could remove that plastic lever, but I've dealt with little springs before.  Should I remove the screw, spring, and plastic lever?

Does the de-coupler work magnetically?  There doesn't seem to be much metal in it.

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@bmoran4 posted:

You can try to reattach the plunger to the arm, but the arm is readily replaceable as a unit by removing the screw you mention. The springs are not dangerously loaded - just go slow and controlled. If you share the product, we can get you the part number(s) and a source.

Will I see a part number on it when I remove it, or will the wizards at OGR know the number by sight?  

The OP may be new to O Gauge or train terminology.  There are nicer ways to treat newcomers D500.  To better assist you Jerryc41, respond with something like this ---  Lionel Rio Grande Box Car 7890 Built by Lionel 2014 from Yellow Belly Freight Set 6-23456 -- "totally made up set and/or numbers for example only"  There are folks here who will help you instead of ...........

@D500 posted:

Guys, when the h**l did "uncoupling" and "uncoupler" become "decoupling" and "decoupler"? I guarantee you no one on the CSX is in the yard "de-coupling cars" right now.

That "de-coupling piece" is the "uncoupling armature", properly.

Didn't you get the memo?  We're changing terminology to confuse the outsiders.  Locomotives are now called "those pulling things."  A caboose is "the cute red one at the end," tracks are "metal spaghetti," etc.  I'll see if I can find the memo and pass it on to you.   

@BatTrain posted:

The OP may be new to O Gauge or train terminology.  There are nicer ways to treat newcomers D500.  To better assist you Jerryc41, respond with something like this ---  Lionel Rio Grande Box Car 7890 Built by Lionel 2014 from Yellow Belly Freight Set 6-23456 -- "totally made up set and/or numbers for example only"  There are folks here who will help you instead of ...........

Strasburg LionChief set, 2023010.  The Gobler Knob passenger car is the one with the broken piece.  It was easy to remove the uncoupling arm - no problem with the spring.  I'll post a couple of pictures.   I did a search on the Lionel parts site, and I got zero results for "uncoupler."

@Jerryc41,

Thanks for providing the product. The search term you are seeking is "coupler armature". They come in many shapes and sizes:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...armature&match=0

A look at the breakdown of the cars is on Lionel's support site and you can buy the whole truck:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...FB-B909-13D9EA1FED33

So searching for other cars with the same truck, i did find a parts breakdown and it seems the armature you need is part number 630-5231-065:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...5231-065&match=0

It can be ordered from Lionel for $3.00 + shipping, but I would call Lionel and ask nicely if they would just send you the piece because the set is still under warranty and that you feel more comfortable dealing with just a single screw vs shipping the whole set under RMA for a repair.

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@bmoran4 posted:

@Jerryc41,

Thanks for providing the product. The search term you are seeking is "coupler armature". They come in many shapes and sizes:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...armature&match=0

A look at the breakdown of the cars is on Lionel's support site and you can buy the whole truck:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...FB-B909-13D9EA1FED33

So searching for other cars with the same truck, i did find a parts breakdown and it seems the armature you need is part number 630-5231-065:

It can be ordered from Lionel for $3.00 + shipping, but I would call Lionel and ask nicely if they would just send you the piece because the set is still under warranty and that you feel more comfortable dealing with just a single screw vs shipping the whole set under RMA for a repair.

Thanks for that.  I figured there would be many different versions of that part.  I called Lionel about this when I saw that piece lying in the bottom of the box.  I left a message, and I'm still waiting for a return call.  Not holding my breath.  For such a minor part, I'd rather try to fix it myself rather than paying for a part that arrived broken.  Shipping could cost more than the part.

I completely understand the sentiment @Jerryc41. If it were me, I would use my Lionel press die set to refasten the plunger to the armature arm. However, most people do not have this tooling, but not to despair. You may be able to use a ball-peen hammer or hammer and punch to reform the thin rivet like metal of the plunger. You can also try cyanoacrylate glue or JB weld, but I think the later is too thick for such a small job. Whatever approach you take, it is important that the armature arm sits flat against the coupler arm.

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