The answer I received for my Friendship PS-1, NYC Freightsounds PS-1 and Lionel Lines Cupolacam caboose which all have the cheap couplers was “Thank you for taking the time to write into us. I would recommend using some graphite to help lubricate the joints of the knuckle couplers. This has worked for many of my customers and has proven to be a very simply fix for this.”
1.) Graphite did nothing, I tried it on all 3 cars. The coupler pockets are smaller than any other Lionel coupler pocket and therefore DO NOT FIT.
2.) Filing them in key areas fixes the problem of fit, but not the derailing problem. I tried it on the Cupolacam caboose.
i am on another discussion where I may learn of part numbers for older trucks/couplers to use as replacement. That’s the only way to get it right since it appears Lionel is not doing anything about it. My email response was that if that’s their solution, I will not be buying any cars with the catalog description:
”Die cast metal trucks with operating couplers”
If it doesn’t have the word. “sprung” in the description, I’m not purchasing it. If anyone knows what the Lionel equivalent part number would be to replace these crappy couplers, please let me know.
The NYC Freightsounds PS-1 needs one with a middle pickup for power, the Friendship does not.
Thanks,
Mike
