This is a new one for me. I bought a like-new 5-car Williams set of heavyweight 14-inch PRR cars (set 2502) at a train show today. The cars will not stay coupled under load--but neither do the couplers open! The plastic knuckles just slip past each other under a modest load. I have a very similar Williams Erie-Lacawanna set that has no such problem. Has anyone else ever seen this?
Bob Nelson
Well, I think I have fixed these couplers. I squeezed the sides of the coupler heads, which I think are made of bronze, in a smooth-jawed vise, bending the "thumb" (which Janney called the "guard-arm" in patent US 138,405) inward by about .01 inch.
Bob, that's a new one to me as well about WIlliams passenger cars. Usually it's the engines that the couplers come open on. However I have a set of Williams passenger cars(6 car set) that won't stay on the track even on a 5 foot length of straight track. One thing that I have noticed with Williams couplers is that the track needs to 100% level or the Williams cars will slip under at the couplers and come undone.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month