couplers on older A.F.

Link couplers have several areas of adjustability including The overall height and the angle of the pin, it should be horizontal. The link should not droop. If it does it may need replaced. The link should move up and down freely but not be loose. Link couplers do not require lubrication. If they are binding because of the mold release agent (white stuff), warming the plastic with a hair dryer and wiping it off may cure the binding. If not, replace the coupler.

Some recommend filing back at an angle or creating a slight notch where the link grabs the pin. This works but makes it harder to uncouple. Properly adjusted link couplers work reliably but it can be a pain to adjust them all. 

AmFlyer posted:

Link couplers have several areas of adjustability including The overall height and the angle of the pin, it should be horizontal. The link should not droop. If it does it may need replaced. The link should move up and down freely but not be loose. Link couplers do not require lubrication. If they are binding because of the mold release agent (white stuff), warming the plastic with a hair dryer and wiping it off may cure the binding. If not, replace the coupler.

Some recommend filing back at an angle or creating a slight notch where the link grabs the pin. This works but makes it harder to uncouple. Properly adjusted link couplers work reliably but it can be a pain to adjust them all. 

Thank you Tom. I have not heard of using a hair dryer to warm the couplers with before.

Lee Fritz

banjoflyer posted:

Yes they would. However sometimes the link coupler is just hanging too low. The truck is stamped sheet metal and has an extension arm with the link coupler attached at the end. You can bend the "arm" up slightly to get the couplers to better align and not hit anything in between the rails causing them to uncouple.

In worst case scenario you can join two cars together semi-permanently by using a thin piece of plastic with holes slid over the pins between the links:

Mark

 

 

Thank you Mark. I will look into the solution and see what I can do.

Lee Fritz

I have been into American Flyer since 1968 or so as a child. Bought some H.O. race cars and the people threw in the A.F. set with the 295 steam engine, no transformer but some track & 2 manual switches.

Mainly into 3 rail Lionel but the A.F. trains look more realistic because of being 2 rail.

Lee Fritz

There is also a coiled spring that fits over the big round end of the pin and holds the couplers down/closed. They were developed for the diesels that pulled the aluminum passenger cars.

The parts guys will have them.