Lionelski posted:Guys, one of the passenger cars on the display has a broken link coupler (looks like a zinc pest victim). Any tips on replacing the coupler or would I just be better replacing the whole truck?
While we are (sorta) on this subject, the set I'm running has knuckle couplers (which I prefer). Is there some kind of conversion kit to replace link couplers to knuckle? A better alternative would probably be modifying a car with link on one end and knuckle on the other and run it as a transition car- do you agree? If I have to replace one truck to do this, the side frames on the trucks on that car would not match and look odd. Have you guys addressed this issue and how?
Should I just sell or trade the link cars for knuckle cars?
Dang, sorry for my rambling here
No rambling. They're all legit questions on S and particularly Gilbert items. First, you can replace the link coupler using repro parts from a number of sources. I like to use Doug Peck's things. His site is called Port Lines Hobbies. He's a good guy to work with and a fountain of information The link, pin and tool to peen over the pin are available to do an almost perfect repair. As to replacing a link with a knuckle, they're also available. Simple procedure. Gilbert even offered a kit to do just that. A special knuckle and a pin to keep it in place. Changing one truck like that keeps both of them looking the same, and provides a "transition" car. A lot of guys do the exact same thing. It keeps you from having to replace the whole truck. As for the broken link coupler, they're made of a nylon type plastic and break if you slam the cars together too hard. Old plastic shrinks too and adds to their vulnerability.
The photo I posted isn't the most detailed, but you can see some of the cars with link couplers have the bright journal boxes, while the knuckle ones have scintered iron side frames. It's all for fun anyway, isn't it?
