K-Line Coupler Problems

[dougdagrump]

I had just received my SF boxcar set (4 cars), K761-1051A, and put them into service last friday. Unfortunately I had problems with the couplers opening even after putting all four at the tail end. These cars come with the new style couplers on them so I can't use the fix on them that I used on my other rolling stock. On the others it was just a matter of adding tension by stretching the spring or using a thicker washer under the E-ring. The new ones are a totally different design, so I'm hoping someone else has found a way to resolve this problem.
I've e-mailed K-Line, last friday nite, but don't anticipate receiving a response til wednesday at the earliest.
Any ideas ? [|(]

[cmrj]

Are they like the the one's I had trouble with and Spankybird posted a picture of?

[dougdagrump]

No, it's a completely new design.
Maybe I should try to post a photo.

[Anonymous]

I have problems with kline couplers closing. My lionel and mth rolling stock will not close kline couplers. Kline couplers will close other kline couplers. My lionel engines will also not close kline couplers. My kline intermodal will not couple with lionel and mth. In order to couple kline to lionel engines I have to use a lionel or mth piece in front of kline.

[ChiefEagles]

Doug, you might try this. On the old stype couplers [Lionel, K-Line], I used a tiny rubber band used with kid's braces and put it over the coupler. It will just stretch enough to go over the coupler and will keep just enough tention to keep them closed and yet will still allow them to open on uncoupling sections.

[dougdagrump]

Thanks for the reply Chief. Unfortunately that won't work on this style of coupler. The older style has the button attached to a lever type arm with the pin that locks the knuckle on the same lever. On those I would increase the tension on the spring by either stretching it or placing a thicker washer under the e-clip. But the new style the spring is actually inside a channel in the coupler arm, I don't think it is very clear in the photos.
Surprisingly I received a response this morning from K-Line so hopefully I'll get the answer today.

[dougdagrump]

After a couple of e-mails from K-Line it seems as though the problem is resolved.
They are sending a new set of boxcars to replace these and issuing a call tag to pick up the defective ones.
I'll be happy to be able to get them in service but I really would have liked to have been able to resolve the problem here by some some sort of mechanical adjustment as opposed to replacing them.

[Jim Duda]

Doug - maybe it will be something obvious with a visual inspection of the new couplers...probably not, but worth a try...and I hope the New Style couplers prove to be reliable!