Lionel 29382 UP Auto Carrier - Hidden Uncoupling Tabs?

I have the BN version and it too has the old school "thumb tack" uncoupling device.

 

I'm not sure it's a "mistake", but in my book it is a huge mistake. Come on Lionel!!!

Thanks for the info. I've been waiting years for Lionel to come out with scale auto carriers. I found two UPs which I love, but I don't like the old school uncoupling tabs. I'm not sure I'm going to buy then.

The catalogued feature list for these cars was basically thrown out the window when the cars were actually delivered.

They don't have hidden uncoupling tabs, they don't have rotating bearing caps and the "working" ETD on the car in the set is a painted red dot. Nevertheless, they're the only 89' auto racks out there, and they're still quite nice cars. If the thumbtack bugs you that much, then clip it off. 

I suspect that because the coupler isn't attached to the truck, someone figured out that there was nowhere to mount the uncoupling plate and have it be hidden, so it made more sense to just use the coupler that everyone knew how to work with.

Not sure this qualifies as "Old School" at all. Does anyone want it on their new O scale cars? Had intended to purchase a few of these, thumb tack killed at the price point.

 

Your hidden uncoupling tabs can be located right next to the 1:48 autos Lionel promised to make for loading into these autoracks.

I believe the "hidden uncoupling tabs" refers to the manual release you use by finger to uncouple.  The older style was a tab on the side right at the coupler, the "hidden" ones are the little bat farther back on the shaft of the coupler arm.

 

Do any of the new style trucks with the uncoupling flap hidden between the axles have this old style manual tab? There had to be a way to incorporate the slick little slide.

You may be correct John but it is clearly not what the customers expected at $110.

I won't argue that it might be misleading.   The price has prevented me from buying these, not to mention that they wouldn't go around even the O72 curves on the club layout.

 

Really!  They are rated at O54 and they don't work on O72.

Amen to that.

They need more clearance than most cars, even 21" passenger cars.  There are several places that even my Centipedes will make it through that these hit the scenery.

 

They'll make a 54" curve, but they look pretty silly doing it.

 

It doesn't really surprise me that they would need more clearance than a 21" passenger car, as each auto rack is about 24" long.

 

I haven't tried this before, but couldn't you just dremel off the thumb tack?  Unless you are switching the cars, they likely would stay coupled together anyway.  Could also use the coupler on the engine to connect to the cars.

 

I currently don't have any of these cars, but would love to have about a dozen or so.  Just have to get 3rd Rail/GGD to stop making items on my bucket list, so I would have some funds to do so!

 

Jim

I love these cars and own many, but they were also supposed to have spinning bearing caps, which they do not. The box flaps still state they "do", but they clearly "do not". what gives??

It's likely a disconnect between the marketing and production arms of the company, probably compounded by the fact that manufacturing occurs 7,000 miles away.

 

Jim

That's for sure. Here is one on 048 Fastrack

Oh, you mean they hit things on your layout, not that they couldn't make the turn becasue it was too tight, right?

Correct, they need a lot more clearance than other stuff.

 

Those thumb tacks can be removed with a little effort.

Really?! Not much is more old school than a thumb tack uncoupler. No one wants it on fine scale units, wrecks the whole vibe.

They negotiate 072 Just Fine. They are beautiful Cars, who cares about Thumb Tacks.

Nice JOB Lionel!!!

 

Fredstrains

I know a number of freight cars that look that silly on sharp curves but will still negotiate them without derailing, even coupled to other cars*. Will the above autorack even do that much on 048? It sure doesn't look it.

 

 

*example (75' auto-train carrier+50' boxcar on 042):

 

 

 

They are by far the nicest auto racks out there. Their careless advertizing is a bit puzzling though.

I think these cars are fantastic, regardless of the issues mentioned. I have 14 of them (so far)

It would be nice to see the rotating caps,however I still liked them enough to sell off all my MTH premier racks and go with these instead. I see what Ebayers are asking for these. It seems high. I believe some of the Ebayers are also dealers. I am up to 13 right now. My best deal I found so far was at the Spring York show. Charlie Ro was selling a 2 pack for 140.00 no tax,no shipping. Cant beat that deal. If He sells them for this at the Fall show, I will add to my 13. Heres a few pics:

I am extremely pleased with mine.  I have 5 of them (I would buy more if I had more space) and I think they are a great value.  I paid on average $80 apiece new.  They are not highly detailed like an Atlas offering, but its a really big car and I think its worth it.