My friend just opened his 44 tonner. He is having trouble keeping the couplers locked when trying to hook up to any freight car. They stay locked fine when the knuckle is closed with his finger. It seems like the pin that locks the knuckle does not come all the way up unless closed with a finger. Is anyone else having a similar problem and have any suggestions on a fix?
Ed Kazarian
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Sorry guys, I should state that it is a WBB 44 tonner.
Thanks,
Ed
Turn the loco upside-down with the couplers open. Put a drop of oil in the slot in the knuckle that the pin lifts into. That should help.
Hi, Does it on both side back and front couplers ?
John
Both couplers do the same thing. We tried some oil but I don't remember if he put it where Matt suggests. We'll give that a shot tonight.
Ed
My 44 tonner and MTH ore cars work fine. This problem has been around with all manufacturers. It may be a hit or miss in the castings.
What you need to look at is the shape of the knuckles as sometimes there is interference enough to prevent the engine coupler from closing. Some have filed the hing end of the car coupler so that it curves more into the pocket. It is an experiment that may take awhile.
Yeah, one of the two 44s I have on the layout has one coupler that does that, too.
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