Athearns lousy couplers on Genesis Trinity hoppers

[electromotive]

Yes, I bought a number of these units, look great...BUT
Their crummy couplers just keep uncoupling...JUNK!!!!
So has anyone come up with a solution ??? SELL THEM...
Put them in a train wreck??
I know this has been wrung over before, but I don't see any
resonable way of replacing these couplers other than just about destroying the
ends..
Is Athearn still using these on other Genesis units??
I just don't look at Athearn anymore

35 years in this hobby

[Anonymous]

There Bachman E-Z Mate (EZ Junk) couplers and I hate them too! All Athearns come with them and it drives me nuts!

[Anonymous]

It would be a miracle if the new owner of athearn upgraded to KD.

Miracles do happen

[Anonymous]

According to KD coversion site, the 5161 cuft T/H takes a #78
http://kadee.com/htmbord/page350.htm

[AlcoRS11Nut]

My couplers are fine (98% of the time), but mine keep "hitting the ground" on switches, has anyone ran across this problem too? If so, how did you fix it? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

EZ Mate=broken in a second.

[BRAKIE]

LOL! 54 years in the hobby and I solved that coupler problem in about 30 minutes..I simply used the KD 33 coupler by using the torsion springs and coupler..It does work..This idea came to me by recalling the old X2F coupler with the metal spring..
Guys sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns and solve or fix the problem instead of yelling FOUL!
Guys Think of this..What do you think we did years ago when we did not have a computer to get instant help or to yell foul!! We solved and fix the problem..Some times you gotta think outside of the box and learn for yourself and forget about 90% of the crap you read in magazines,books and forums.

[mustanggt]

Hmmm.... they were easy to replace for me. I just use # 5 couplers

[Anonymous]

Brakie, Wow, 54 years! I haven't been in it that long, however, I have been modeling for 48 years. Started with ships and airplanes, got a Tyco HO set when I was 10 or so and spent 20 years building and flying R/C model airplanes. Except for the 2 years 7 months and 10 days I was working for our Uncle Sam, I have been modleing in some type of endeavor. I started my current layout in 1988.

I think if we take a look at the direction the hobby is currently going (with all the Ready to Run stuff) we need to consider that people whom have not been doing this for very long, do not have our "Just Fix It" mentality or our abilities to do so! Also, they claim they just don't have time for the "Modeling Part"! So, I think we need to apply some TLC with these new guys & gals and help them get accomplished at it! Also, when you pay what is the going price for a RTR Athearn diesel, I think the best couplers should be used by the manufacturer! I also don't think the manufacturer should be gluing the draft boxes together, which, I hear they are doing.

You know, if I was a manufacturer, and found my custormer's just complained amongst themselves about a product I was wanting them to be happy with and buy more of, I certainly would want to hear their complaints!

Just another crotchity old modeler!

[Anonymous]

I had a similar problem with my Athearn Bombardier bilevels - I replaced the plastic couplers with Kadee #58s, they look even better now!

In response to the person having trouble with couplers catching on switches, I'd suggest buying a height gauge - it sounds as though they're mounted too low. You can buy "offset" Kadee couplers designed for situations like this, but a height gauge should be your first purchase - they're a good investment!

[Eriediamond]

My thoughts about atherns couplers being glued in RTR rolling stock. I think we are going to see more and more of this from other manufacturers as well It all comes down to product liability. By selling the product completely buid the liability falls on them for any harm it does to a consumer. On the other hand, when you puchase a kit, that liability then falls on you, not the manufacturer because you did the final assembly of it. This is what happened to the light aicraft industry. I know it sounds extreme, put I hope this doesn't happen to model railroad industry as well. Times are changing folks. Manufacturers are just trying to protect themselves. Also since Athern is based in California, that may have somethint to do with it also. Thats a different world out there anyway. Thats another topic in itself. Brakie, been play'in with trains since my first wind up Marx back in 44!!!! Ain't count'in the years though[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[Anonymous]

Eriediamond,
If the product liability issue where as you describe, why would the manufacturers provide assembled product? The idea is to eliminate liability potential for a business, not increase it, unless the added profit pays for all costs and boosts the profit margin. The real scenario is that anything a manufacturer produces better be covered by a product liability policy as when a law suit breaks out, the lawyers will use the shot gun approach to finding blame. All folks making money from the product, will be sued!

[brothaslide]

Actually, Athearn uses McHenry couplers which may be the same as the EZ Mates. The only problem I have had in in transport of cars during a move (a bunch broke due to handling) but other than that, they have worked fine for me.

[Eriediamond]

deshane, I do agree with you on this. I feel mfgrs produce RTR products is for many reasons, of which I won't go into all of them here. First there are people like myself that don't have the time or expertise to build some of the kits out there. I've puchased kits and have a few now waiting to be built, some just a little assembly needed, others for me, several days time for "building" the them. Another is for the young children wanting there first electric train. Even those RTR sets need some assembly. And yes profitability for the mfgrs, after all thats why they are in business in the first place. Not necessarily to increase profit margins as you say but to offset the cost of insurance for that liability. Only have to look at the medical profession today to see what is happening. As long as there is a market for such products they will be produced and the producers will do what they need to do to protect them selves, albeit glueing things together, higher costs, etc. Sadly, the way our society is heading to day is the cause of most of this, in that we don't want the responsibility for our own actions, look for ways to blame someone else. Thats another topic!!! Didn't mean to turn this into a sermon!!!!