Legacy nonpowered GP-9 couplers: operational?

Are you asking about operating couplers or "electro-couplers"? There ARE non-electric couplers that do "operate" manually.

Sorry I wasn't clear.  No, I am not talking about electro-couplers.   Rather, I am talking about the couplers that operate by the magnet, which I believe is the only type of operating coupler Lionel uses on dummy units.  Other times, as with the GP30s, the couplers on the dummy units are nonoperating (and cheap) plastic couplers.

 

Most importantly, I'm just trying to figure out what kind of couplers are actually on the GP9 dummy units.  Thank you.

The Lionel page for the C&NW GP9 Locomotive Non-powered, says front and rear magnetic couplers.

Thanks, Fred.  Unfortunately, that's what it (and the box label) said about the GP30s, and they actually came with dummy couplers.  That why I asked if anyone actually has one opened and in hand. 

Interesting question... and sounds like Lionel hasn't standardized its approach here.  The DD35 dummy units are equipped with electrocouplers, which allows them to participate in full function MU configurations.  Same thing can be said for the Legacy Dash-9 dummy I got to complement the NS TankTrain set from 2008/2009.

 

If the dummy unit doesn't at least have a rear electrocoupler, then it really can't be the last unit in a multi-unit configuration.  Not good planning on Lionel's part -- especially for MSRP of $240.    Essentially, you're getting a very expensive boxcar!    Sounds like the price continues to go up (the MSRP on the NS dummy Dash-9 was $220 vs. $240 for a GP-9 dummy today), but features are short-cutted along the way.

 

David

 

P.S.  I was toying with the idea of getting the CN dummy GP-9.  But I may rethink that if it doesn't come equipped with an electro-coupler.  Thanks for bringing this to my attention now!

The new GP-35's have nothing in them! Not! even a head light . A real bummer with the price at 200.00 or more. 

I think its correct to say that dummy units are just expensive boxcars. I guess it all depends on how you plan to use them. I think most buyers use the dummy units purely for show with no intention of them being operational units. If you want another operational diesel in your consist, buy a powered unit.

I have an Atlas GP60 dummy. It has no lights but it does have electrocouplers. However the wires for those electrocouplers are not connected to anything.

I plan to add LED lights and a Lionel dummy TMCC board to get functioning couplers.

That's fine and good.  But the converse to that thinking is the price-point for non-powered units should be closer to $125-$150, since the importers have been dumbing them down so much.  We know that's not gonna happen soon.  But unfortunately, this is one of those products that importers will likely discontinue producing if we don't buy them.  We've been up and down this road several times.    MTH has already stopped producing them as they once did, whereas Lionel continues but socks it to us in the wallet.  

 

David

All interesting points, but I'm still hoping for the answer to what I had hoped was a simple factual question: What type of coupler actually is on the GP9 dummy units? Thank you