In the last few Lionel catalogs, they've gone back to the "thumbtack" style uncoupling mechanism. Looks like Lionel has dropped the hidden uncoupling plate. Disappointing to see the "thumbtack" on high end rolling stock. Likely done for cost. It just looks cheap.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
This has been discussed pretty recently and pretty much run to ground and back. You can use the search as there is a ton of posts on this.
MartyE posted:This has been discussed pretty recently and pretty much run to ground and back. You can use the search as there is a ton of posts on this.
Not to mention Lionel joined in the discussion to explain the whys and wherefores.
What, me worry?
Sold down the river
OK, fine. Delete the post.
mtnhi7 posted:In the last few Lionel catalogs, they've gone back to the "thumbtack" style uncoupling mechanism. Looks like Lionel has dropped the hidden uncoupling plate. Disappointing to see the "thumbtack" on high end rolling stock. Likely done for cost. It just looks cheap.
Slap a Kadee on it without any modifications and let us know how cheap it looks 
For crying out loud, folks. I was just making an observation and had not seen other comments about this. Just drop it, close/delete the post and forget it.
I think expecting someone to go back and search for previous topics before starting a new one is an unrealistic standard.
I agree. Pointing out that it's been discussed before after the initial post isn't any reason to get bent out of shape either. I suggested using the search function to see what has been discussed before. I don't see anything above to get worked up about.
BigJohn&theWork posted:mtnhi7 posted:In the last few Lionel catalogs, they've gone back to the "thumbtack" style uncoupling mechanism. Looks like Lionel has dropped the hidden uncoupling plate. Disappointing to see the "thumbtack" on high end rolling stock. Likely done for cost. It just looks cheap.
Slap a Kadee on it without any modifications and let us know how cheap it looks
Right!!! Those new trucks are beautiful, and are nicely sprung (contrary to some previous posts, they are indeed REAL SPRINGS). Since we are talking SCALE freight cars, the claw coupler is easy removed from these new trucks, thus body mounted Kadee couplers can also be easily installed. The finished product is much more prototypical looking, and operation is improved too.
I LIKE the claw and I LIKE the third rail. I DON"T like that ugly *** button coupler.
Hal
HMS2035 posted:I LIKE the claw and I LIKE the third rail. I DON"T like that ugly *** button coupler.
Hal
Your in luck! Lionel has massive line of traditional O/O27 rolling stock that should fit your needs just right
BigJohn&theWork posted:HMS2035 posted:I LIKE the claw and I LIKE the third rail. I DON"T like that ugly *** button coupler.
Hal
Your in luck! Lionel has massive line of traditional O/O27 rolling stock that should fit your needs just right
No, you’re in luck. Atlas has a massive line of 2 rail scale that should fit your needs just right.
Rod Miller
I have no stake in this discussion.
I find it interesting that Lionel alienated one group of customers in order to satisfy another.
I wonder which group is larger, and how Lionel is doing with the sales of these cars.
All I can say to the folks who are potential customers for these cars: vote with your wallet.
A polite letter (pro or con) to Lionel wouldn't hurt.
Hot Water posted:Right!!! Those new trucks are beautiful, and are nicely sprung (contrary to some previous posts, they are indeed REAL SPRINGS). Since we are talking SCALE freight cars, the claw coupler is easy removed from these new trucks, thus body mounted Kadee couplers can also be easily installed. The finished product is much more prototypical looking, and operation is improved too.
Will have to look at our new car, IIRC the springs are real but the truck is not sprung, the side frame is one solid piece.
C W Burfle posted:I have no stake in this discussion.
I find it interesting that Lionel alienated one group of customers in order to satisfy another.
I wonder which group is larger, and how Lionel is doing with the sales of these cars.
All I can say to the folks who are potential customers for these cars: vote with your wallet.
A polite letter (pro or con) to Lionel wouldn't hurt.
The new truck seems to be louder in transferring the rolling noise into the car and out to the room.
BobbyD posted:Hot Water posted:Right!!! Those new trucks are beautiful, and are nicely sprung (contrary to some previous posts, they are indeed REAL SPRINGS). Since we are talking SCALE freight cars, the claw coupler is easy removed from these new trucks, thus body mounted Kadee couplers can also be easily installed. The finished product is much more prototypical looking, and operation is improved too.
Will have to look at our new car, IIRC the springs are real but the truck is not sprung, the side frame is one solid piece.
I would think that the side frame SHOULD be "one solid piece", with the bolster being supported by the springs within each side frame. Pretty much like a real Bettendorf freight truck, the main difference being the axle journals also being sprung within the side frames. When I inspected the new trucks at my local hobby shop (the trucks are also sold apparently), the springing did not seem too tight, as the bolster moved up and down quite freely.
It is my understanding that these "new trucks" from Lionel are ONLY on their scale freight rolling stock, thus the "027 size" cars are not effected.
romiller49 posted:BigJohn&theWork posted:HMS2035 posted:I LIKE the claw and I LIKE the third rail. I DON"T like that ugly *** button coupler.
Hal
Your in luck! Lionel has massive line of traditional O/O27 rolling stock that should fit your needs just right
No, you’re in luck. Atlas has a massive line of 2 rail scale that should fit your needs just right.
Rod Miller
Hot Water posted:BobbyD posted:Hot Water posted:Right!!! Those new trucks are beautiful, and are nicely sprung (contrary to some previous posts, they are indeed REAL SPRINGS). Since we are talking SCALE freight cars, the claw coupler is easy removed from these new trucks, thus body mounted Kadee couplers can also be easily installed. The finished product is much more prototypical looking, and operation is improved too.
Will have to look at our new car, IIRC the springs are real but the truck is not sprung, the side frame is one solid piece.
I would think that the side frame SHOULD be "one solid piece", with the bolster being supported by the springs within each side frame. Pretty much like a real Bettendorf freight truck, the main difference being the axle journals also being sprung within the side frames. When I inspected the new trucks at my local hobby shop (the trucks are also sold apparently), the springing did not seem too tight, as the bolster moved up and down quite freely.
It is my understanding that these "new trucks" from Lionel are ONLY on their scale freight rolling stock, thus the "027 size" cars are not effected.
I meant the springs seem to be for decoration in the new truck as the bolster is screwed directly to the side frame and is NOT a real sprung truck like the previous design.
https://ogrforum.com/...freight-truck-design
It was no decision for me. I LIKED and miss the the hidden tab coupler. I will miss buying Lionel freight cars. I will buy whats left of the old stuff and then move on to MTH. I hope Lionel reconsiders and works on an option that will not alienate any customers.
mtnhi7 posted:For crying out loud, folks. I was just making an observation and had not seen other comments about this. Just drop it, close/delete the post and forget it.
did you report the post to the admin?
you started the thread so they should delete it,
after all they delete plenty of other posts!!!
BigJohn&theWork posted:romiller49 posted:BigJohn&theWork posted:HMS2035 posted:I LIKE the claw and I LIKE the third rail. I DON"T like that ugly *** button coupler.
Hal
Your in luck! Lionel has massive line of traditional O/O27 rolling stock that should fit your needs just right
No, you’re in luck. Atlas has a massive line of 2 rail scale that should fit your needs just right.
Rod Miller
Actually, I didn’t dislike the N scale Rapido couplers, though I converted many cars and locomotives to dummy Unimate couplers and some to operational Micro-Trains couplers.
Hated the X2f horn-hook HO couplers.
The difference was functionality. The Rapidos worked fairly well. The horn-hooks were simply a bad design, especially for uncoupling.
I can see why some people dislike the thumb-tack O gauge uncoupler. But it doesn’t bother me. Three-rail isn’t the place where I obsess about scale appearances.
I also can understand why others prefer to install Kadee couplers on their trains. And that’s fine, as long as they don’t try to advocate that all three-rail trains should come with Kadees. (But I see no reason why all manufacturers shouldn’t ease the conversion for those who want to.)
Hot Water posted:BigJohn&theWork posted:mtnhi7 posted:In the last few Lionel catalogs, they've gone back to the "thumbtack" style uncoupling mechanism. Looks like Lionel has dropped the hidden uncoupling plate. Disappointing to see the "thumbtack" on high end rolling stock. Likely done for cost. It just looks cheap.
Slap a Kadee on it without any modifications and let us know how cheap it looks
Right!!! Those new trucks are beautiful, and are nicely sprung (contrary to some previous posts, they are indeed REAL SPRINGS). Since we are talking SCALE freight cars, the claw coupler is easy removed from these new trucks, thus body mounted Kadee couplers can also be easily installed. The finished product is much more prototypical looking, and operation is improved too.
Hot Water posted:BigJohn&theWork posted:mtnhi7 posted:In the last few Lionel catalogs, they've gone back to the "thumbtack" style uncoupling mechanism. Looks like Lionel has dropped the hidden uncoupling plate. Disappointing to see the "thumbtack" on high end rolling stock. Likely done for cost. It just looks cheap.
Slap a Kadee on it without any modifications and let us know how cheap it looks
Right!!! Those new trucks are beautiful, and are nicely sprung (contrary to some previous posts, they are indeed REAL SPRINGS). Since we are talking SCALE freight cars, the claw coupler is easy removed from these new trucks, thus body mounted Kadee couplers can also be easily installed. The finished product is much more prototypical looking, and operation is improved too.
BobbyD posted:Hot Water posted:BobbyD posted:Hot Water posted:Right!!! Those new trucks are beautiful, and are nicely sprung (contrary to some previous posts, they are indeed REAL SPRINGS). Since we are talking SCALE freight cars, the claw coupler is easy removed from these new trucks, thus body mounted Kadee couplers can also be easily installed. The finished product is much more prototypical looking, and operation is improved too.
Will have to look at our new car, IIRC the springs are real but the truck is not sprung, the side frame is one solid piece.
I would think that the side frame SHOULD be "one solid piece", with the bolster being supported by the springs within each side frame. Pretty much like a real Bettendorf freight truck, the main difference being the axle journals also being sprung within the side frames. When I inspected the new trucks at my local hobby shop (the trucks are also sold apparently), the springing did not seem too tight, as the bolster moved up and down quite freely.
It is my understanding that these "new trucks" from Lionel are ONLY on their scale freight rolling stock, thus the "027 size" cars are not effected.
I meant the springs seem to be for decoration in the new truck as the bolster is screwed directly to the side frame and is NOT a real sprung truck like the previous design.
https://ogrforum.com/...freight-truck-design
Spot on. The new trucks are not sprung. They are inferior and the thumb tack couplers are ugly. A major step backwards for Lionel.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
