Hey, anybody know how to keep MARX passenger cars from uncoupling?
My MTH & Lionel do not, my MARX NYC Passenger set that I inherited from my Father in Law uncouples randomly on the layout.
I am ready to put some fine wire in through the holes to permanently couple the train!
Any suggestions? It happens very randomly and not always the same cars.
Thanks for any help on this.
Don L.
Take a pair of diagonal pliers and cut off the tabs that hang down and are used to uncouple on the Marx uncoupler section.
If that does not do it, take some fine wire and wire the coupler so the spade stays horizontal or put a drop of epoxy glue to keep it horizontal.
This is assuming you do not plan to use the Marx uncoupling section, which takes the lost art of reversing and quick stops!
Charlie
Have a set of NYC passenger cars do the same thing, I fixed it like you did wiring them together
Before you make any permanent modifications to the cars, check your coupler springs. A lot of times the coupler springs can be weak. Retensioning them can help, but sometimes you have to replace them. I’ve made replacements by cutting up and bending safety pins, believe it or not. Much stiffer than the originals, and easy to revert back to stock if you ever need to do that for whatever reason. Replacement springs are available from trainpartsformarx.com if you prefer something that looks authentic.
I replace the springs on all of my troublesome cars.
I ordered new scissor type springs and the metal scissor couplers from The Train Tender (Jeff Kane) several years ago…worked just like they did in 1948 when the train was brand new!