CC Berkshire Engines

I understand your intent but my plastic arm that holds the thumbtack and does not hold the coupler closed is not in my opinion a valuable factory error. It is a defect and is getting fixed................soon I hope.

I was referring to the individual who posted that his CC Berk from the freight set had an open gear valve. That was only on the 1946 version of the 726 Berkshire and never repeated. If he has a CC Berkshire with an open gear valve he has a very valuable factory error. a "ONE OF A KIND". But I doubt if he even has the engine let alone a rare variation.

Just another fantasy model railroader.

Am I lucky or what! I have both CC Berkshire sets and both tenders have the rare factory error plastic coupler armatures! I wonder what I can get for them? Or maybe I should ask, how much will it cost to fix them.

Cheers,

Ken

Chek your diecast log flatcars.  Mine is cast in a warped shape.

I think there's a difference between a "coupler arm" and an "Armature".

Jon

I agree. And I may be wrong, but the part being described as plastic sounds to me as if it were the part that I'd call a spring plate. 

Just wanted to take a moment to respond to a couple of the posts. I did not mean that those who have issues that they are not valid. I'm sure they are.

But for someone to post that the Merchandise cars have plastic doors when in fact they are die cast can be very confusing. Both have die cast doors, this is true for the one in the set as well as the separate sale one. If yours has plastic doors it is a defect that should be corrected by Lionel.

Then someone posted that his Berkshire from the freight set has open valve gears this would indicate that Lionel made two different engines when in fact the two engines are identical. Again, if this individual has an engine with open valve gears it is a rarity and not just a factory defect. The poster should attach a photo.

To those who have plastic coupler arms on their tenders this is a factory defect that should be corrected. To the best of my knowledge the coupler arms on the tenders of the  two engines I have are die cast metal.

I did not mean to mock anyone nor did I want to appear to be insensitive to their issues. If it seemed that way I apologize.

There is more good information and help on this forum than misinformation but unfortunately it is the misinformation that gets the most attention.

Folks are writing about two different parts:

This is a typical coupler armature (metal):

This is a typical coupler arm:

HERE IS A PICTURE OF THE TENDER TRUCKS.

THE ARMATURES ARE PLASTIC AND THIS IS STANDARD WITH THIS TYPE OF 6 WHEEL TRUCK. THE COUPLER ARMS ARE DIE CAST.

Well, that's a horse of a different color!!

If given the choice, I definitely prefer the metal armature to the plastic.  I have the plastic on some of my MPC-Era six-wheel truck tenders, and they tend to get loosey-goosey.  But given the price...

Jon

Is the plastic armature a generic standard size item that is available aftermarket in metal?  I'm not sure how much L saved on that.

Here is the solution, part# 610-8501-071 coupler assembly. Die-cast metal coupler and metal armature. Identical to the one on the tender. Problem is finding one.

Has Lionel ever used the original PW 6 wheel tender truck in the modern era?  Stamped metal with plastic truck detail.

LTI made a diecast version of the PW truck when they remade the Madison cars and

that truck is on the Madison cars so why not the tender as well?  The problem with overseas production is that you can't go from the office out to the production floor

and check to make sure things are made right.

My concern is having a plastic tab to hold a coupler closed for some heavy cars that are being pulled and it did not work. I mean, plastic? Really? This is not an entry level lightweight low cost set and in my humble opinion this tab should be metal. No excuses.

Could these have ever been used on anything other than rolling stock? I was wondering if they were the same ones used on the first issue PRR GP9's with TMCC from around 1998. If so I have at least two of them, I converted the engine to electrocouplers, and took them off.

I found four couplers all with metal armatures. Will post photo for anyone that wants to try them. You could replace the entire unit or just replace the armature. Three of the armatures have a larger disc than the one on the engine but I think there would be clearance.

Let me know. Anyone who wants them can have them just pay the postage.

My tender coupler is holding fine. Problem is with the merchandise car coupler -- keeps coming open. I just taped it with Scotch (R) tape and it's holding fine now. Those sliding shoe cars often have problems like this in my experience. Part of the "PW aura" I guess. Sure is a nice looking set, though!

That coupler I have pictured is specific. It is from the early 1990's NW-2 switcher (I think Western Maryland and Southern Pacific engines with the mechanical bell.

quote:

Part of the "PW aura" I guess. 

Generally, genuine Postwar Lionel does not have problems with random uncoupling unless the couples or trucks are bent out of shape.

I wanted to give an update since I got my repaired tender back on Sunday and it has no coupler issues so far. All pulls and works well along with lots of smoke from the engine....good kind! It is good to have a certified Lionel tech nearby!