Lionel FreightSounds Boxcar Coupler Problem

[RickO45]

I recently purchased the Lionel Union Pacific FreightSounds PS-1 Boxcar. The couplers do not play nice with any of my other rolling stock or engines. Joining this to another car is very difficult and results in such a stiff connection that derailments occurr. Is this a know issue? Is there a replacement truck/coupler that would fix this?

Also, could someone tell me why this car is so noticeably larger than my other cars? I don't see any information on the box indicating it is from another product line. I'd like to avoid purchasing this larger size in the future or at least know what I am getting. Thanks for any feedback.

[KRM]

Rick, The car make part number could be of help. Also what car your trying to hook up to. Sounds like it is a scale car so it would be bigger than traditional post war Lionel stock. It may be a O scale two rail car with Kadee couplers, like this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184675036871?nma=true&si=2w19E2xCiypCc28YwaXw9jBFgk8%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[RickO45]

Thanks for the reply. The boxcar is the #125404 (sku 2026190). Having tested more cars now, it does hooks up to some cars ok, others not so well. I can put cars on either side that it is friendly with so that will work out.

As to the size, I don't know why it is larger. There is nothing on the Lionel website or on the box it came in to indicate it is any different from other cars that I have used without difficulty. New to trains so still trying to figure it all out. Again, thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[RickO45]

Thanks for the information on scales and sizes. I did buy the car off eBay. Next time I will be a bit more knowledgeable and able to ask better questions. 

 

[lionelsoni]

Deciding what scale a toy train is built to is complicated by the fact that the scale may be different for width, height, and especially length, because of the need to get around unprotypically sharp corners.  My rule of thumb is to forgive too-short lengths (like the postwar Lionel GG1 and 2500 extruded passenger cars) and to judge the "scale" of a car or locomotive by its width, which should be 2 2/3 inches to match the loading gauge of the prototype.  If a piece has a scale length as well, like the 773 Hudsons and the F3s, that's a bonus.