The thumbtack coupler on a MIB Lionel Lackawanna Cummuter car passes too close to my uncoupling track and disengages from the next car. I put electrical tape on the coupler but that is insufficient. Any other ideas?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
The uncoupling track could be wired incorrectly however if it was constantly energized, it should burn up within seconds. Try unhooking the track to see if the car still uncouples.
I don't believe it's an electrical problem, like rod said it would burn up quickly. Although a floating ground looking for home could pass through the coil and slightly create enough of an magnetic field and if the thumbtack on that truck is lower than the others,might possibly create your problem. Whew... Ok if a straight pin will be attracted to the uncoupling magnet during layout normal operating then that's your problem. If disconnecting the power to the coil and your still uncoupling. 1st check to see if the thumbtack is pushed all the way in, if ok pull out the thumbtack and shorten it with a file, sandpaper, nips etc... A little at at a time. Also check to see if it has been magnitized, trouble shooting is fun and interesting, you would be surprised what you may find if you keep an open mind, have a good idea how a system works and interacts with another system. Good luck, Ron
Maybe the Thumbnail is too close ( Physicaly ) to the uncoupling track !
Common to the thumbtack coupler are two basic parts, the first is the coupler body and knuckle, the second is an arm assembly consisting of a metal thumbtack(facing the track) on a short t- extension this extension is molded(Plastic) or cast(Metal) to a horizontal arm. one end is pinned to the coupler body the opposite ends has a short upward vertical pin that holds the knuckle in a closed(coupled) position, when the electromagnetic magnet in the track is energized the magnetic field pulls the thumbtack down allowing the knuckle to open. It sounds like the vertical pin on the horizontal arm is not fully engaging the knuckle for a closed/locked position. Visually check this engagement, you may have to bend this arm slightly upward for this engagement. You are experiencing a partial knuckle lock that opens up under the train action. If the knuckle does not open when the thumbtack is pulled down by the track uncoulper, the knuckle opening spring is defective.
You could just cut off the thumbtack.
I've had that experience also john ochab, thank you for jogging the old cranium!
