close coupling for lionel passenger cars

[Lou Melick]

I would like to find a way to close the huge gag between passenger cars.  Granted these cars are designed to operate on 031 curves, but my layout has broad curves (min 30in. radius).  Any ideas?

[lionelsoni]

I assume you're talking about 2500-type cars.

If remote uncoupling is not a requirement, perhaps you could tie the couplers together side-by-side with tywraps or rubber bands.

[nickaix]

Lionel "Madison" cars use a similar coupler assembly, but with a shorter "tongue".  You may be able to exchange the whole pivoting tongue-pin-spring-and-knuckle assembly between these and the 2500 series cars.  I believe this assembly is held to the truck by a clip at the pivot point.

I have not tried this, so I can't promise that the madison-style assembly will fit on the 2500-series truck. I only know that they work on the same principle.

[Buckeye Riveter]

The 2 rail O gauge operators seem fond of KADEE COUPLERS.  I'm not sure it would work for a 60" diameter curve because they mount to the car body.

[lionelsoni]

The Madison coupler assembly is very different.  Because it is mounted closer to the end of the car, it has a much shorter drawbar that would put the coupler under the 2500 body.  It is also designed for the longer wheelbase of the 3-axle Madison trucks.  Both are supported by the axles, but the 2500 drawbar does pivot from the center bearing, while the Madison pivots close to the outboard axle.

As for tying the couplers together side-by-side, it looks to me like you could put the knuckle sides together and tie the space behind the closed knuckle of each coupler to the necked down drawbar of the other coupler (two ties).  I think you could get them about a half-inch closer this way.  (I can't try it out, since I have only one 2500-type car.)