My question is this, I have recently acquired some weaver rolling stock, it does not stay connected to my Lionel rolling stock, there is about an 1/8th inch height difference between the couplers, how can I fix this?
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Hummmmmmmmmm. I would have thought that 1/8" would be no big deal when it came to connecting to other rolling stock. The Weaver trucks are held on with one screw. Depending upon if you're low or high, remove the Weaver truck and add either a washer or grind down where the truck attaches.
I would strongly suggest doing this to only one truck. Mark it and use that car to attach to your Lionel car(s).
Gilly
Which coupler is higher- the Lionel or the Weaver model?
Never saw that before, and I have a LOT of Weaver & Lionel cars. Maybe wrong trucks or improper coupler mounting?
As Gilly said shimming or shaving the top of the truck will help. something else is the design of the weaver knuckle isn't completely the same geometry as a lionel diecast or even a lionel cast knuckle and I have experienced a "false" coupling where one of then did not completely latch. I typically when running different knuckles will latch them by hand and always roll the cars a little to verify they latched.
I will have to double check when I get home this weekend, truck driver here, but the weavers sit lower than the Lionels from what i can tell
Originally Posted by H Scheg:
My question is this, I have recently acquired some weaver rolling stock, it does not stay connected to my Lionel rolling stock, there is about an 1/8th inch height difference between the couplers, how can I fix this?
Which coupler is opening? If it is the Weavers, do they stay connected to each other? Just typing as i think.I choose to interpret "acquired", as you didn't buy them new. Could those couplers just be weak. If so, a little graphite powder and excersizing them might clear up the issue. Also, unless I'm missing something, these are 3 rail, so the couler is built into the truck. I don't see how shimming will affect coupler height. (learning not challenging)
Good evening
What Gilly said……….I have not seen any difference in height and I wouldn't think 1/8" would matter. Are both couplers on one car the same height? With all Lionel rolling stock? Maybe the coupler is bent or not seated correctly on the truck? Does it open? or jump out?
Clem
Originally Posted by Marty R:
Originally Posted by H Scheg:
My question is this, I have recently acquired some weaver rolling stock, it does not stay connected to my Lionel rolling stock, there is about an 1/8th inch height difference between the couplers, how can I fix this?
Which coupler is opening? If it is the Weavers, do they stay connected to each other? Just typing as i think.I choose to interpret "acquired", as you didn't buy them new. Could those couplers just be weak. If so, a little graphite powder and excersizing them might clear up the issue. Also, unless I'm missing something, these are 3 rail, so the couler is built into the truck. I don't see how shimming will affect coupler height. (learning not challenging)
Weaver couplers are separate and simply sit on top of the truck, The screw that attaches the truck to the car holds the coupler in place.
I've seen Weaver trucks where the #2 screw is a few threads short and comes loose allowing the coupler to sag. The truck is also probably loose. Usually screw replacement with a longer screw fixes this problem.
Originally Posted by Marty R:
Also, unless I'm missing something, these are 3 rail, so the couler is built into the truck. I don't see how shimming will affect coupler height. (learning not challenging)
Not a problem Marty. Most weaver cars are designed to be 2 or 3 rail and the 3 rail trucks that weaver uses do not have the knuckles truck mounted. The knuckles are sandwhiched between the frame and truck.
Originally Posted by Mike CT:
I've seen Weaver trucks where the #2 screw is a few threads short and comes loose allowing the coupler to sag. The truck is also probably loose. Usually screw replacement with a longer screw fixes this problem.
Mike is right. I have had the same issues with sagging couplers. You might want to tighten the screws on the weavers. Another thing to remember Weavers ride like their waiting for a flood. So it will appear that trucks sit taller than the Lionels, when in reality they are the same height.
Doug
I've definitely noticed a difference in coupler height between Weaver and Lionel cars, but it's never been a problem for me except in places where there's a very abrupt change in grade. Nothing like that on my layout, but there used to be some bad trackwork on the museum layout where it was an issue. i assume, since the height difference was mentioned in the original post, that the problem is one coupler slipping over the other. If that's the case, Gilly's post has the answer.
