Lionel 6220 Switcher Coupler Questions

[marmelmm]

I acquired a well-loved Lionel 6220 a few years back, and finally ran it up the other day. Even after sitting idle for (probably) 20 years or more, it buzzed around the tabletop, no problems. Gotta love that Lionel quality!

Since the shell is shot, I think I'm gonna try and make it into a box motor using the body from a Lionel "General" baggage car. Can someone point me at some replacement electromagnetic couplers? The ones on the loco are missing knuckles, etc. Also, how do I R&R these couplers?

Thanks!

VTY,

-MMM-

[lionelsoni]

You'll need the coil spring that goes into the drawbar, the slug that goes in after it, then a knuckle, knuckle spring, and a knuckle pin to hold it together. The hardest part is putting in the pin. Put it through the top hole of the coupler body. Then put the knuckle spring on and pu***he pin all the way in. Hold the knuckle in its final orientation with the hinge side touching the pin and slide the knuckle spring along the pin to its proper location at the top, clear of the edge of the knuckle. Then carefully back out the pin. When it clears the knuckle, slide the knuckle into position, keeping the knuckle and pin in contact so that the spring does not escape. Pu***he pin back in through the hole in the knuckle and rivet the bottom. I spread the pin only enough to keep it from falling out, so that I can easily remove it if and when I need to later.

By the way, the cleanest way I know to remove a knuckle pin is to drive it out from the bottom with an ice pick. The ice pick should be the old type, slender enough to follow the pin out and keep the knuckle and spring (if it is intact) from flying off.

[marmelmm]

Great! Now, can you recommend a source for all these parts!

Thanks!

VTY,

-MMM-