$5 flats in Menards ad!

I got the case of 24 previously mentioned on this forum.  They run just fine and don't have the problems mentioned here.  Trucks and couplers are plastic but that does not concern me.  Each has 10 holes on the sides for installing your own stakes.  This was so much easier than finding flat cars at train shows which can be hit or miss.  They are perfect for my O27 loop.

Darn, not available online without buying a 24 pack.  That's just too many for me!

I believe they're $8.00 apiece with a $3.00 mail in rebate form for in-store credit.

 

Rusty

Merry Christmas!

 

I bought some of these flatcars on sale, and they all seem to have problems with the couplers...they open and close, but not with another coupler attached. 

Anyone else have the same issue? Is there an easy way to adjust or mod them to work better?

 

Thanks

 

There are several previous threads detailing the problems and they have assorted solutions.  I am enjoying the ones I got.

 

Happy New Year!!

"I bought some of these flatcars on sale, and they all seem to have problems with the couplers...they open and close, but not with another coupler attached. 

Anyone else have the same issue? Is there an easy way to adjust or mod them to work better?"

 

I had a coupler issue too with one of the box cars. Would not stay closed and I could not figure out a way to use rubber band closures, so I just made it non-operating with a dab of super glue.

 

 

To be fair, I have not tested all 24 cars I bought.  If couplers open at random, my cure is to squeeze the rivet that holds the coupler together with a pair of diagonal pliers.

inexpensive flatcars for projects. I used a Dremel to shave a smidgeon from inside the knuckle, couplers work fine now.

 

Thanks for all the advice!  I guess I really wanted to know if they should go back to the store, or if these are the adjustments which should be expected on inexpensive models. 

 

I will try the above ideas.  Close examination shows Most of these couplers seem to be too tight to allow for closing all the way and engage the pin(with another coupler, but open and close fine empty).  I found 2 or 3 of them will join up to only one older (circa 1992) K-Line car, but not to any post-war cars, or each other.  So it was difficult to decide by myself if this was *normal*, or if these were truly defective... 

 

Thanks for the advise  

 

just use a knife and scrap out a small amount of the plastic so each coupler will hook up.  I did all 24 and they work well.  you do not have to scrap much out to make the coupler connect to the other coupler.

 

you could by the case and sell what you do not need at train shows, it would be a good deal.

Not much of anything left online.

I live in Omaha, and we have about 6 Menard's stores.  The internet inventory said my closest store received one box of 24, but the manager claimed they never got any...zero, yet the innertube webpage said 18 on hand the first day.  The manager said the online inventory was not real time, and didn't necessary reflect what was actually in the store.  

 

I found one store who only had 8 left at 9am on the first day, only because the second buyer reserved the last on the shelf, but changed their mind.  I happened to be at the cust service counter asking if they got any when when the person called to say nevermind.  I opted for only 4, leaving 4 cars remaining for someone else.   

 

They also had 1:43(ish) die cast cars (seemingly random models) for $4 each, and I scored 3 which fit my layout theme.  The sales people said X-Mas special, they get what they get and won't get more this season  

 

I have yet to try whittling the inside of the couplers, but that sounds like the easiest fix.

Like other members said,they are economical for projects.

One of these cars may need to be a stage for a (hobo?) band to set up on and have a track-side festival...

 

Cheers and Happy New Year

 

D. 

Thanks certainly one heck of a deal!

-Greg