Lionels American Flyer Docksider

[Tom1947]

I have a new American Flyer docksider that Loinel brought out last fall. The docksider coupler opens when pulling 3 or 4 cars . I have had to catch the enging everytime that I have attempted to run the engine. It has never made a half lap with out coming uncoupled. Is there a cure for this problem?

[Jumijo]

Is the coupler metal or plastic. I've noticed on some of my metal couplers, you really have to slam them to get them to close fully. They often looked closed, but will open after a short bit. Try closing it with your fingers. Make sure you use enough force to ensure that it is truly colsed. Then try it. Either back it up to a car with an open coupler, or couple it to a car manually. If it stays closed after this, you'll know the coupler isn't closing fully. I'd also put a drop of oil on the coupler pin to promote good movement of the parts.

Jim

[Sturgeon-Phish]

If it uncouples in the same place on the track, like a switch or re-railer look to see if the coupler is low and needs to be adjusted up some for clearace

[railfan23]

Contact Lionel and send it back to have it fixed.

[Poppa_Zit]

Many of us S gaugers on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Trains/messages have discovered that the coupler springs are as stiff as a board, and this may be contributing to your problem. Especially on curves.

Carl Tuveson, who has an excellent and informational S gauge web site (www.tuveson.com), says it needs to be replaced with an AF Geep/Alco
truck spring. Easy fix. I was able to do a little bending and soften up the one that came on the docksider so it wouldn't fight the load.

Here's a pic with the old spring and the GP/Alco spring installed:

http://www.tuveson.com/Docksider/coupler.jpg