How to Fix Loose Lionel Couplers

[@patrickbolmeyer9515]

I have a few MTH passenger cars that have this very issue. Now I know how to fix it! Thanks Eric! I hope to see more of these DIY features in the future.

[@Ericstrains]

A couple notes on this video: 1. This fix "should" work on most modern Lionel passenger cars. 2. We all know that O gauge couplers are the most realistic looking couplers on the face of the earth. :) 3. Aren't my fingers lovely?

[@mikeyanello3664]

Thank you Eric such a timely video

[@hovermotion]

Superb fix, it makes good sense to try and resolve small issues .

[@JayBirdsJunction]

I was just trying to figure out how to replace the coupler and stumbled onto your video👍🏼🚂

[@Ericstrains]

Glad I could help

[@frankjoyce76]

How To videos are always a nice addition

[@Ericstrains]

Glad you like them!

[@keithneal3253]

You’d a man Eric. Great video. Helpful. Good positive attitude.

[@BearCreekWoodworking]

This is exactly what I needed to know. I never felt good about permanently gluing the coupler closed with CA glue. Now I can fix couplers the proper way! Thanks Eric! 👏👍😃🚂

[@Ericstrains]

You bet.

[@Mr.Funk92]

I’ve had to do this on a number of cars. Simple and easy. I just wish we had a solution for all of the weaver freight cars that refuse to stay coupled. Not to mention there RPO cars.

[@pjg1216]

Good information. Thanks. I have just reviewed the new catalog and placed my order. Unfortunately, Lionel has become too expensive for my finances, so I am only able to order one item this year. This may well be my very last year of adding to my collection. By the time you add ridiculously high state sales taxes you are over $3000.00 for a big boy... and the set is just short of $5000.00! I hope Lionel realizes they are driving loyal customers away.

[@See6H12O6]

Thanks Eric! I have to replace 3 trucks on 3 new MTH locomotives and needed to know how that e-clip came off the coupler so I could transfer it to the new truck.

[@randyluginbuhl9085]

Love these tutorials…hope you do more!

[@Ericstrains]

I like doing tutorials, but they get WAY fewer views than other types of videos...so I have to sort of sneak them in between the more popular videos.

[@monstersbrandsparkplugz7151]

Oh Great Eric! Thy teachings all shall take heed. What is thy bidding mighty one?

[@Ericstrains]

lol

[@truckspotting7473]

The next running trains video could it be all CSX, Northfolk southern, and Amtrak?

[@kylestevens6925]

Very simple yet a pain if not fixed. Might have to looks at mine. Thanks for the how to video!

[@Ericstrains]

You bet

[@nja3224]

Nice! I don’t seem to have that e-ring on an older set I recently purchased. The couplets are very loose, especially on one car and it decouples constantly I’m looking for ways to fix it. Although not the same, this helps. Thank you.

[@Illusions2020]

Excellent helpful vid & detailed explanation. I would like to try that on some Menard's couplers if they were metallic like those. With plastic it's likely a different approach if at all.

[@kenhoganson9481]

I wonder: does this fix mean more force is needed when coupling: more of a "crash" to couple?

[@Ericstrains]

A little more force, but not a crash lol

[@wrangler70jkujeep74]

I've fixed couple cars same way great show others how make repairs great channel.

[@walteranderson5090]

Thank you Eric. Finally a detailed explanation to fixing these model cars. On a personal note. It would be my wish; Lionel produce 21" Extruded Aluminum Passenger Cars. With the Same Couplers and Seated Figures as used in the 18" cars. That I would pay for. Perhaps you might run this idea with Lionel? I'd be very interested in their response. Thanks again for your influence in our hobby. Walt

[@Vsmit00]

Pretty simple way to fix a big problem! Question though, could you use a washer or 2 to increase the tension in the spring, rather than pulling the spring apart?

[@Ericstrains]

Maybe

[@5tarSailor]

Do the emergency breaks kick in when the couplers come apart when in motion on your layout

[@Ericstrains]

yes

[@GinoACosta]

If anyone doesn't feel comfortable doing this, putting a rubber band around the end of the coupler just before the coupler itself can also hold it closed. Also, I might suggest doing any work such as this with everything inside a container, so that if anything goes flying it stays in the container

[@criticalmass5574]

Thanks for the advice it worked pretty good.

[@trainwild]

Excellent tutorial and great tips, well done 👏

[@NERRP2017]

i had a few o scale freight cars with this issue but since i can easily take them on and off by hand i glued them shut so that way i can just run them, not the best but it works

[@TwoWheelsLangley]

Thanks. My “out only for Christmas” set was having this very problem.

[@Ericstrains]

Glad I could help!

[@mikeyanello3664]

Eric I was looking at the big book 2023 and specifically the reduced shrouded Dreyfus Hudson. While it’s not in the feature they appear to have ash pan glow if you zoom in. The same for the same locomotive two pages later. How can I find out if it is a misprint or an actual feature.

[@Ericstrains]

We’ll do doing a podcast with Lionel this month so I’ll ask

[@mikeyanello3664]

Thank you. Mike

[@jimdavis3913]

Thanks for this video have this problem with my gp30 non power engine.mth Keep up the great videos

[@rick1716]

Very helpful video! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@andyoutwesttrains]

This is awesome! My grand canyon set has the same problem and I've been meaning to message you and ask you if you had had this problem. Thank you for sharing. Were your clam shells in all the car cartons in your set broken and mangled?

[@home-cookedandhomemade6295]

I have a k-line passenger train (New York Central 2115). the automatic front coupler broke off. It's held on by a plastic type pin that exspands on one end. can you help me to fix it?

[@johnandannastravels6258]

Nice instruction. I just bought a Lionel train and the coupler from the coal car looks like it has the same issue. Frustrating because that's the most important coupler.

[@Jared-91]

I've got a new Atlas car that has this problem. Unfortunately it's a different design so I'm not sure how to fix it.

[@snakeyez150]

hey Eric can you do a review on the new 2023 volume 1 catalog and do a video on what you ordered please?

[@mebluewater]

I've got 2 new Lionel train sets that I had to do this with already

[@pennsy6755]

what are club does is when we have a loose coupler, we just grab some zip tags and tie the thing closed. works for the most part and haven't had any issues.

[@Chessie1985]

Cool that's what i do when my couplers come open Eric!!

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

Thanks Awsum video 🚂👍

[@chuckhunter328]

Great video, and thank you. IYKYK.

[@PereMarquette1223]

Need a video on how to adjust atlas couplers. I have a few cars that the knuckles come open on…

[@Guytrains]

Great👍👍👍

[@jacksonrailroadIreland]

I have that problem with one of my mth rail cars

[@TheSonofruss]

There’s a pair of pliers made to hold e clips so that they don’t go flying through the air

[@jamesbergman164]

kadee coupler conversion kits. they are scaled down more and wont cause this issue. just my suggestion.

[@Ericstrains]

true, but then the minimum required curve goes way up

[@betsy662]

I guess its also easier than switching to Kadee's too

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Cool 👍

[@randyjacobs9489]

Easy peezy!

[@BobWojtyla]

Don't forget your safety glasses .

[@donovanhaight8089]

Donovan

[@Ericstrains]

Donovan

[@Broncort1]

Shame this won’t work on the Crane boom sound cars….LOL

[@davidkoehler136]

no , unlike the forum, you just fix them

[@miguelangelgarrido7233]

😃👍👍👍

[@mattkramer4132]

The same bending procedure fix also works with the cheap plastic couplers. => kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGatpKKmhqqdb9E

[@whitewallwheels1hardcore.m_o_h]

yes ok fix them but if lionel never know there faults you will keep getting faulty couplers so its all ways best to complain