Lionel Winner 1010 1011 Couplers

I will have an answer with pics tomorrow, after I visit my 97-year-old friend who has the complete and original sets, both electric and steam.

This just in:

My friend's daughter took the trains to her place. I asked him if she could send me some pix of the undersides of the coupler ends of the 1010 and 1011. Waiting for results, stand by please.

Give Harry a call at Henning's Trains, they will have the answer and the parts for you.

What GRJ said. And here are some pics:

I've seen buckets of those parts at Henning's, I'm pretty sure that's one of the many that they actually manufacture.

Thanks for the replies and the pictures. Mine is different though in that it doesn't have the circled cutout and bracket. This makes it so that the couplers flop around. See pics.  I'll contact Henning and see what they say.

Well, this mystery remains unsolved. Harry Henning got back to me and offered 150-26, a tab and slot coupler like what I've already tried. If indeed this was the coupler used, I'm surprised Lionel would sell it that way. On the other hand, I understand that the Winner line was a very cheap depression era product, so who knows. Maybe that's why all of the couplers were missing and I found remnants of rope left on the axles.

It's a nice little set and it reminds me of the Chicago Aurora & Elgin that used to run in the suburbs of Chicago, where I live. I'll probably fabricate something, but I prefer to keep it original.

Any suggestions?

@Mr.Max posted:

Well, this mystery remains unsolved. Harry Henning got back to me and offered 150-26, a tab and slot coupler like what I've already tried. If indeed this was the coupler used, I'm surprised Lionel would sell it that way. On the other hand, I understand that the Winner line was a very cheap depression era product, so who knows. Maybe that's why all of the couplers were missing and I found remnants of rope left on the axles.

It's a nice little set and it reminds me of the Chicago Aurora & Elgin that used to run in the suburbs of Chicago, where I live. I'll probably fabricate something, but I prefer to keep it original.

Any suggestions?

I don't have any original pieces left to photo for you but recall the couplers were a u-shape that once inserted were flattened out to hold them in. Hard to come by unless you locate a junker

@Mr.Max posted:

Well, this mystery remains unsolved. Harry Henning got back to me and offered 150-26, a tab and slot coupler like what I've already tried. If indeed this was the coupler used, I'm surprised Lionel would sell it that way. On the other hand, I understand that the Winner line was a very cheap depression era product, so who knows. Maybe that's why all of the couplers were missing and I found remnants of rope left on the axles.

It's a nice little set and it reminds me of the Chicago Aurora & Elgin that used to run in the suburbs of Chicago, where I live. I'll probably fabricate something, but I prefer to keep it original.

Any suggestions?

I believe you’re looking for these.

https://hennings-trains.shopli...el-hook-coupler.html

Be very careful bending the little tinplate tab on the car body to get them in place.  You want to move it as little as possible.

Once the coupler is in place, you may need to adjust the tab down to secure the coupler from coming out.  Fine needle nose pliers with a long, thin beak are your friend here.

@Ives1122 posted:

I believe you’re looking for these.

https://hennings-trains.shopli...el-hook-coupler.html

Be very careful bending the little tinplate tab on the car body to get them in place.  You want to move it as little as possible.

Once the coupler is in place, you may need to adjust the tab down to secure the coupler from coming out.  Fine needle nose pliers with a long, thin beak are your friend here.

Thank you for your suggestion!  I will investigate it.  Best regards,  Max