Link vs. knuckle axles

[hugoroundhouse]

I see American Flyer wheel / axle assemblies advertised as "link assemblies" and "knuckle assemblies". What's the difference between the wheels used on link trucks and the wheels used on trucks with knuckle couplers?

Also, is there any reason I cannot put regular AF knuckle coupler trucks under a car that originally had Pikemaster trucks?

[Roger Bielen]

I'm not familiar with AF details but since no one has taken a stab at this yet and to move it back to the top here's my guess. In generic terms the knuckle coupler (assembly) is styled like those of Lionel, et al, to mimic the prototype style while the link is a hook and ring/loop coupler. The link type was pre-war and is still popular in Europe.

As to the wheels it probably doesn't make much difference. I'll guess that the Pikemaster might have an angled, or is it angeled, riding surface to offer less friction and other technical reasons.

I hope this helps a bit or at least gets those in the know involved.

[eZAK]

hugoroundhouse,

Check these sites out for your answers;
http://www.trainweb.org/crocon/sscale.html
http://www.nasg.org/
http://www.trainweb.org/s-trains/

[Sturgeon-Phish]

American Flyer had link, knuckle, Pikemaster and solid couplers, in that order I think, with some overlap. Knuckle Pikemaster and solid are compatable with each other. Knuckle was offered until the end on upscale items. The link style coupler are found on earlier (pre-1952 on most) cars and locos. For a while both link and knuckle were offered, and the last of the link locos was the 282 and 302AC in '53. Pikemaster and solid was a late coupler that was an effort to save money, and was one piece and coupled by spreading the jaws or manually connecting the couplers. Link and knuckle could be remotely uncoupled. There was and is conversion kits that converted the link to knuckle, which drove out the rivet and the knuckle slid over the extension on the truck and was held by a pin and some of the transition cars and locos came with this coupler. I have converted Pikemaster to knuckle and link. The Pikemasters and solid couplers are usually on a plastic truck and held on with a rivet that can be drilled out the repace it with a truck and coupler of your choice. I run both link and knuckle and I've made a few cars with a link on one end and knuckle on the other to allow flexibility in using my locos, which range from 1946 (link) to 1966 (knuckle and pikemaster).

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Sorry, I got carried away. I do that when it comes to American Flyer stuff. The wheels are the same.

[Anonymous]

These are the AF link couplers. What happens is that the couplers have pins on the side of them for the other car's coupler to latch onto.

Hope this helps,

Jerry

[hugoroundhouse]

Thanks for all the help. I thought the wheels and axles all looked the same, regardless of the type of coupler attached to the truck. Still have no idea why they are advertised that way.