Back in the 90s I bought the very first Thomas the Tank Engine train set that included Annie and Clarabelle, a circle of brown tie track and a transformer. A year or two later, I bought the very first James the Red Engine train set that included two Troublesome Trucks, a circle of yellow tie track and a power pack with controller. Both trains were mainly used during the Christmas season and then put away in January.
The couplers used on the rear of Thomas, James' tender, Annie, Clarabelle, and the Troublesome Trucks are all the same. I think they're called "hook and loop" couplers. Anyway, I noticed from the very start they tended to come apart rather easily. The weren't anywhere as good as the O gauge knuckle couplers. I had to use ruber bands to help keep them from uncoupling. That took some of the fun away, by not allowing the uncoupler to be used for switching around the cars from time to time. Since my kids played with them quite a bit during the holidays putting loads like Barbies, little figures, and whatever they felt could be transported over the years, within a short period the "hooks" started to come apart. First the "hooks" no longer appeared to have the tension. I assumed little springs that had somehow gone missing were the cause. I looked for them, but I never found any of them. That made them droop, so that's when I started putting rubber bands on them. Later, they just fell off. I guess little screws had fallen off. Again, I couldn't find those either. I went to the two local hobby shops, but they didn't carry any Lionel Large Scale replacement couplers (let alone just the hooks). One of them tried to sell me LGB couplers which he told me could be used by modifying the trains in some way that I think involved drilling new holes in the cars. I didn't want to do that, so I resorted to using MORE rubber bands to "permanently" connect the cars together. I never liked that, but I haven't been able to find any Lionel Large Scale replacement couplers anywhere around here. Does anyone know where I can order some? Both hobby shops here were no help in getting any. If I were to find replacements, what can I do to cure the problem of the trains uncoupling randomly? Someone told me about a place that sold Lionel Large Scale parts, but that place ended up only carrying Lionel Large Scale knuckle couplers. I think he told me he went through a distributor that was unable to order the ones I needed for some unknown reason.
you might be able to get a better response to this question by posting it on the garden railroad forum as they are the G scale guys and I'm sure one of them could steer you correctly or might even have some they are willing to part with. Best of luck in your search
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Phrank,
If you are looking for European style G-scale couplers, which is what the "hook and loop" design implies, your options are pretty much LGB and Bachman. Bachman sold their G-scale cars with interchangeable coupler sets so that they could be operated with either American or European train sets. Coupler replacement sets are all over eBay, just search for "G-Scale Parts". In either case you may not be able to get around having to modify the coupler pocket, or you could get lucky and they just fit.
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
KaDee was making American style knuckle couplers for European G gauge replacement several years ago. If you've got a hobby shop in your area they may be able to help you out on this.
Anyway, here's the website: www.kadee.com. I'd check it out, possibly you can order direct.
Perhaps I wasn't clear about what I wanted to do.
I'd really like to replace the hook couplers with original Lionel Large Scale hook couplers. If there's a company that makes replacements manufactured to Lionel's original, exact specifications, then that would be satisfactory. I just don't want to have to modify the cars in any way such as drilling holes or replacing each complete truck.
stebbycentralCoupler replacement sets are all over eBay, just search for "G-Scale Parts".
I have tried searching for Lionel Large Scale couplers. However I don't get the results I want. I get Lionel Large Scale knuckle couplers, LGB, Bachmann, Kadee, etc. None of them are exact duplicates, so they all require me to modify the cars.
It's a drag for me, because I can find replacements for just about any O gauge train part from postwar to now. When it comes to these couplers from about 20 years ago, all replacements seem to have vanished. In fact, I've been looking for them for at least the last 10 years. It just dawned on me that maybe some people here (or in the Garden Railways forum as was suggested) might be able to help me locate them.
Brother, you may not have much choice at this point. Lionel's apparantly lost interest in G gauge, the only G stuff they make now is inexpensive battery operated sets, nothing high-grade or exotic. If the parts aren't available from Lionel you'll have to get lucky to find replacements.
You may just have to bite the bullet and modify those cars or the G couplers available. I can say this about KaDee's, they are GOOD and they WILL last.
Firelock76 Brother, you may not have much choice at this point. Lionel's apparantly lost interest in G gauge, the only G stuff they make now is inexpensive battery operated sets, nothing high-grade or exotic. If the parts aren't available from Lionel you'll have to get lucky to find replacements.
Just to second what Firelock said, I owned one of the first Lionel "Large Scale" train sets; the Gold Rush Special. (For whatever reason, Lionel did not choose to use the G-scale designation for their larger scale trains.) What they concentrated on in that line were primarily American prototypes, so truck mounted knuckle couplers came as standard equipment. The Thomas sets were the exception to this, which is probably why you are having so much trouble finding repair parts for it. IMHO, LGB is your best option, possibly your only option.
Bachmann Large scale also use to come with both Hook and latch and Knuckle couplers that may be another option as they may be the same connecting to the body
I thought when they were making G gauge trains that used a transformer (not the battery ones they import now), the seperate sale cars came with both types of couplers. Perhaps you can find someone who has a few of those that aren't using the hook couplers. They still could be different though, so I'd try to find one set before trying to find a whole bunch of them.
Hope this helps,
J White
I know some cars did come with both types as you state. However as far as I know, there are no train enthusiasts in my circle of friends and acquaintances. Apart from posting in forums such as this, I wouldn't know how to find anyone who might have those extra couplers.
rtraincollector, you were right!
I was directed to a place named Brasseur Electric Trains. They had many replacement parts for Lionel Large Scale trains---including the couplers I needed. Now Annie, Clarabelle, and the Troublesome Trucks will be coupled and uncoupled as God intended---not with rubber bands and wire.
Thanks for your help!!!
Glad it worked out for you
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