JoeinPAYou may be able to use Kadee's "whisker" couplers (#148).
These are a Godsend! I love 'em.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
You may be able to use Kadee's "whisker" couplers (#148). These are a replacement for the #5s and don't use the bronze spring that is giving you trouble.
Joe
Just getting back into the hobby and recently purchased a couple of Walther's 50' boxcars. HO. I had some Kadee #5's left laying around after having sold everything off years ago. The #5's don't fit the "gear box" on the kit. When trying to attach the top of the "gear box" the copper thingie gets squished. Any advice?
Mainetrains
'there's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear' Modeling the Hard Knox Valley Railroad in HO scale http://photos.hardknoxvalley.com/