Cannot Run 200 Series Cars with 400E

You should have no trouble with the 408 it was designed to run with 200 series of freight cars. The coupler on the 400 is lower in height and there's where the problem lies. Bending the shank of the tender coupler overcomes that problem, but might cause a problem if you want to pull passenger cars.

 

Ron M

JoeG,

   In order to run the 200 series Cars with the 400E you must pick up an old type Lionel extender/transition coupler, using the extender coupler gives you almost 3/4" between the engine and the rolling stock, and they will even travel thru 042 curves.  These old Lionel extender couplers, are becoming more hard to find as time goes along.  Sorry I do not remember the Lionel numbers on the old extender/transition couplers.  There was a thread about these quite a while back, do a search you might still be able to find them.

PCRR/Dave

Pine Creek Railroad is correct, and the part number is TT-100 or TT-162.  The TT-100 is straight, the TT-162 has a drop on one end, when the couplers are at different heights.  Brasseur price is $1.25 each, George Tebolt at $1.00.  Didn't find any from Toy Train Tender, and didn't check other suppliers.  They are called Coupler Adapters.

TeleDoc,

   Thanks buddy for the help with the nomenclature, and the place to buy the Coupler adapters!  Probably should by a few of each myself.

PCRR/Dave

As far as I know, TT-100 and TS-162 are designed to allow prewar couplers to join with postwar knuckle couplers. They are not designed to join prewar couplers of different heights.
I think one would have to make their own transition car.

 

Service Manual page on TT-100/TS-162

CW,

   There is also another adapter coupler that allows Tin Plate Latch couplers to adapt to the Tin Plate Box couplers, even at different heights, but I can not remember the number of it, this particular adapter coupler shown in the post, is for adapting modern couplers to Tin Plate Box couplers.  It is not the older Tin Plate Latch to Box coupler adapter I was posting about.

PCRR/Dave

Latch couplers mate up to box couplers. No need for an adaptor.

 

Are you referring to the coupler that connects both hook/loop and latch couplers.

 

I run 200 series cars behind a 400E by bending the shank up and then another bend to form a Z. A 10 second fix and reversible.

Jim C,

   Yes it can be done with your realignment method also.  However tight corners can become a problem, with the other adapter coupler it elongates the distance between the engine and the rolling stock for the tighter corners.

PCRR/Dave

This subject was discussed 2½ years ago here.

 

https://ogrforum.com/t...to-200-series-boxcar

 

Ron M

Thanks for all the great info. Does anyone have any pics on this adapter. I am also confused as standard gauge did not have the box automatic couplers. That was only in o-gauge I thought.

 

Thanks RonM, I had not seen the previous posts.

 

JoeG

 

JoeG,

   Some old O gauge Tin Plate also has the Latch couplers, depending on which train sets you purchased, unfortunately I do not have a picture for you of the old transition coupler.

Like I indicated before not the easiest things to get your hand on today either, you may have to make your own using parts from a Latch Coupler.  My Father would have them made up at the Union Switch & Signal for us when we were kids.  Sense I liked the black Box Auto Couplers much better, we have no manual Latch type O gauge Tin Plate any more, here on the Pine Creek Railroad.  Further Lionel made a 2600 series transition Box Car that has a Tin Plate Auto Box Coupler on one end of the Box Car, and a modern Post War Auto Coupler on the other end of the box car, to join Tin Plate & Post War rolling stock. You can actually run manual Tin Plate Latch couplers connected to the Tin Plate Auto Box Couplers, insert the transition Box Car and pull the full metal Lionel post War logging or Passenger Cars behind your 400E.  A little boys dream come true!  Tin Plate Trains the greatest stuff on Rails.

PCRR/Dave

 

 

None of mine have enough slop to connect and make them work. also am still a little confused regarding the adapter mentioned in the above posts. Why would this resolve to a knuckle coupler my issues when this is for connect a latch coupler.

 

Joeg

quote:

None of mine have enough slop to connect and make them work. also am still a little confused regarding the adapter mentioned in the above posts. Why would this resolve to a knuckle coupler my issues when this is for connect a latch coupler

 

The TT-100 / TS-162 as designed will not help to couple different height latch couplers together. Dave wrote that another adaptor is available. I am not familiar with it.

See my post on the other thread. I just straightened the coupler on the 400E and it mates perfectly. There is a photo.

 

The cars are now further separated so no chance of them having a problem on curves. 

Sorry F&G RY,

 

I missed that when I read it. However, I am wondering if I straighten it I will be able to run a set of 428 passenger cars.A set that I would like to get someday.

 

JoeG

The coupler is attached by a screw. Buy a new coupler and switch them with a straightened  one to fit your needs.

 

428 cars have 4 wheel trucks may sit as high as 200 series cars. I do not know that answer as i only have 418 cars with 6 wheel trucks.

Jim C,

   That is exactly how the Lionel original extension coupler worked, it made everything just a little longer, worked perfectly.  As you say it's easier to make your own from new Latch Coupler parts than to try to find an old one some place.

PCRR/Dave

 

Easiest fix.  Get a compatible set of passenger cars to trail your 400.  Don't modify couplers to pull 200s.  Get a cool electric, old school #10 or 318 to pull your 200s.  Two job opportunities.  Pretty easy to do.  You deserve to go shopping.  It's Christmas for Heaven's sake.

 

Again everyone thanks for ll of your input. It is very much appreciated. This forum has always been a great source of information.

 

JoeG