McHenry Couplers

[Anonymous]

Hi all,
I purchased some McHenry couplers for my (Riverrossi?) passanger cars. At this point I am so unhappy with the couplers that I regret buying the cars. To explain the problems I am having: the couplers will let go at the slightest slack in the train, they couplers do not appear to have tension springs to keep the knucle closed and that appears to be the problem. I have been most dissatisfied witht this purchase.

On a good note the cars do backup better than with the Hook and Horn connectors they came with.

I am in HO scale and run 22 degree radius curves.

Please Help?

[Anonymous]

I had the same problem. I also have Rivarrossi cars. I found out the problem was that when you prt tension on the couplers they would move up or down causing them to uncouple. To solve the problem I used Kaydee shims of various sizes to solve the problem. I haven't had a problem since. Hope this will help.

Terry

[Anonymous]

I have the same problem and ended up dumping the
Rivarossi heavyweights that only weighed 5 1/2 oz, really underweight plus there's very little free rolling on these 3 axle trucks.
For nostalgic reasons I kept the NYC set and upgraded to the new Walthers Budd 85 cars(1955) and these are a class action car compared to Rivarossi, however they are expensive even with a 25% discount.

[sumpter250]

You have the older McHenry couplers. They are now making couplers with coil Knuckle springs, which work much better. You might be able to arrange a swap with McHenry, if you contact them and explain the problem.
I prefer Kadee couplers to any other, but that's a matter of personal choice.
Pete

[Anonymous]

i also had the same problem. what i ended up doing is body mounting kadee couplers, but i dont think that will work with the radius curves you have. what you can do is add some kind of brace to the ends of the cars to keep the couplers from sagging. i will try to make a diagram here

___________________ bottom of car
= coupler = small plastic shims
--------------- plastic strip under coupler


this would be a view from the end of the car

this might work and it would not effect the turning radius very much

[Anonymous]

Are you running IHC / Riverrossi cars? I would also like to use the Kaydee couplers, but was not able to find one that would I thought would work.

Thanks for the info on McHenry, I will contact them.

Cmc

[Anonymous]

If the McHenrys do not satisfy you, consult the Kadee Coupler Conversion List in the Walthers HO Reference Book. IHC & Rivarossi are listed.