What is a Pikemaster coupler?

[hectorgonzales]

I've got a new Lionel American flyer loco with knuckle couplers. I need to mate it with my old set of American Flyer Link couplers. I was going to purchase a "Pikemaster" brand knuckle coupler and wheel set on ebay to convert a train car. Will this mate with the Lionel knuckle coupler?

[stebbycentral]

A Pikemaster coupler was a design AF employed in the '60s as a cost cutting measure on their cheaper train sets.  It is a non-operating plastic knuckle coupler cast in one piece with the truck sideframes.  It's split down the length of the shank to allow the two halves of the coupler just enough movement to let you to couple two similarly equipped cars, if you pushed them together with enough force.  (Although most of the time the cars just bounce off of each other.)  It will connect reliably with the older style knuckle coupler, but coupling and uncoupling is strictly a hand operation.

[Timboy]

A Pikemaster coupler should'a been called a Wish Coupler.  It's the kind of coupler that makes you wish you had knuckle couplers!  

Regards,

Timboy Blues 

[Penny Trains]

Sounds like scout couplers, I always wondered if they were similar.  All of my cars have link (ick, gag, barf) couplers.

Becky

[ben10ben]

Actually, they can be uncoupled in a sort of hands-off way.

 

If you look at a Pikemaster coupler, the longer half has a molded in plastic tab that extends down.

 

The terminal track section for Pikemaster track is also fitted with a metal lever, and at the other end of this lever is a diamond shaped piece of plastic that lies between the ties.

 

When the metal lever is pushed down and two coupled cars run over the terminal section, the diamond will force the plastic tabs apart just enough to uncouple the cars from each other. 

[hectorgonzales]

so, the final answer is Yes?

[AF53]

It will connect with American Flyers knuckle couplers but not the link couplers.

Ray

[AF53]

It was introduced in 1961.

[cwburfle]

hectorgonzales

I've got a new Lionel American flyer loco with knuckle couplers. I need to mate it with my old set of American Flyer Link couplers. I was going to purchase a "Pikemaster" brand knuckle coupler and wheel set on ebay to convert a train car. Will this mate with the Lionel knuckle coupler?

You don''t want to buy any Pikemaster knuckle couplers.
When American Flyer came out with knuckle couplers, they also came out with a conversion kit to convert link couplers to knuckle couplers. RFGCO.COM sets reproduction kits (#K2800) with instructions and the pieces required to convert two couples for $6.99.

Here is a link: http://www.rfgco.com/catalog/index.html

[aflyer]

To take the reply from cwburfle one step further you can make what is called a conversion car.  That is car with a knukle coupler on one end and a link coupler on the opposite end. Look on ebay for a cheap car that you can buy and make your own conversion car, by adding the knuckle coupler discussed above to one end, it is a pretty easy conversion.

There are also other places to purchase the knuckle coupler conversions, you can try:

Joe's Train Repair.###########################.FAX Orders: 919/471-2613
404 Shetland Road.############################.Rougemont, NC 27572-9338
Specializing in S Gauge.###################.American Flyer Parts Dealer
###################Authorized Lionel Service Center####################
....Over 85,000 AF parts in stock with more than 1,100 part numbers....
American Models.##.DesPlaines Hobbies.##.S-Helper Service Showcase Line
[e-mail].###########.Master Card/Visa/Discover honored

or

http://www.portlines.com/

Good luck with your new trains.

George

[Penny Trains]

You can also find cars on Ebay that someone already installed opposing couplers on.  I've seen them at Trainz too.  Just stating the obvious for the record.  : )

Becky

[AF53]

You're right Becky. A few months ago I bought an American Flyer 312 from 1947 from Trainz and the links were converted to knuckle. Not disappionted...just different- good runner too!

Ray