I have a Lionel ES44AC with the kinematic couplers. The rear coupler does not pivot freely and going around a curve (even O-72) it will pull the car behind it off the track. If I put a heavy engine behind it, the engine will stay on the track. Any ideas how to free this up?
Thanks,
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Is that the latest one? I have the most recent #2233442 BNSF Heritage ES44AC and have almost the same problem. I say “almost” because mine only derails the trailing rolling stock when going into right hand curves. Works fine on left hand curves. I studied the coupler and pilot, and I THINK the problem is caused by a stiff wire MU hose on the right side of the pilot that stands off the pilot a bit. That wire seems to prevent the coupler from swiveling as far to the right as it does to the left.
I have not modified the pilot yet, but I am considering cutting that “hose” off and then mounting it back flush to the pilot, allowing more swivel room.
Am curious what you learn from others on this thread.
I had this issue with the es44 from the bnsf oil train set. I needed to run another engine behind it. In may case it was an sd70ace or dash 9. I haven't tried to run it directly connected to any rolling stock again but I think it has loosened up with use. Can't confirm that now everything is packed up while I build my new layout
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