Lion Scale couplers

See my post from earlier today.  Got some good input and my problem is fixed!  Simply gently bent the plunger piece a bit upward so the pin stays engaged and the couplers stay locked.

NoviceBen,

Thanks for your reply. I am anxious to read your post but I can’t find it.

Lionelhampton

NoviceBen,

I found your post and the other replies. Very helpful. I will try your suggestion.

I would also like to know if anyone has a suggestion for replacement couplers.

Thanks

I think replacing the couplers would involve replacing the trucks.  Finding replacement couplers that fit would be a long shot.

Thank you John. The Lionel catalogue for this model of the Lion Scale advertises "easy conversion to scale couplers". In their catalogue they do not advertise couplers, only "die scale trucks". Another Lion Scale set advertises "easy convertible to body mounted scale couplers". I looked at the Kadee website but there were too many choices for me to choose. I suppose I should call Kadee and see what they recommend. Do you still think replacement couplers wouldbe hard to find.

thanks.

Pictures would be useful.   I'm guessing from the description that these have removable couplers as the Kadee couplers are body mounted.

Are you considering going to Kadee couplers or replacing the lobster claw?  Most of the time if the coupler isn't broken, it's possible to "tweak" them to make them work.

Gunrunnerjohn,

Thanks for your reply. I don't have any special plan in mind as to replacing the lobster claw or the entire coupler. I am just trying to come up with a permanent solution to the couplers not holding which is the case on five of the six cars. I would prefer to avoid the rubber band solution. I only mention Kadee because I have heard they are good but I have never used them. I have pictures below. Thanks.

Well, they're not really pictures, more like place holders.

FYI, going with Kadee couplers is a significant conversion process, you really pretty much need to make the commitment to do the fleet.  You don't want a mix of Kadee's and lobster claws.

Gunrunnerjohn,

Thanks for your help. I thought the pictures I sent were what you were asking for. If Kadee is not an answer I guess I will have to work on plan B, whatever that turns out to be.

You missed my point!  The pictures didn't come through, what I see is this.  The pictures might help if I could see them.

I did misunderstand. Hopefully this is better.

2 solutions for you. 1 take off the uncoupling tab armature. Remove the screw and spring. Take the spring and stretch it out just a tiny bit. Do not over stretch it. Then reassemble every thing as it was and tighten the screw back down. That may help.

2 if you do not care to ever uncouple the cars or at least keep them together in a unit train consists. Just use plastic zip ties to keep them from commimg open. If you find two cars with trucks that do not give you problems coming uncoupled. Put them at either end and then zip tie all other cars in the middle. This way you can keep them all together as a unit, but still be able to uncouple them from either end by hand or with an uncoupling track section.

Thanks. I'll try this.