Need help with older lionel train coupler

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I inherited a Lionel ‘O’ train set, and a bunch of other cars. The original 1011 train set has a larger sized coupler than the other cars. Any tips on how I can connect the larger coupler with the smaller coupler? They look similar and they actually can sort of fit but it forces the cars off the tracks on corners. I thought about swithing a couple couplers on different cars but the wheels are rivoted in? Any help would be appreciated.

2

The other cars you mentioned, are they Lionel products as well? If not, and they’re older products of another manufacturer they may not be compatable with Lionel to begin with.

And I’m not sure since I don’t own any, but I think cars from the Lionel “Scout” series aren’t compatable with standard Lionel cars either.

As far as swapping the truck and coupler sets out I’m not sure it’s worth the trouble and expense.

3

[#welcome] aboard!

Toy train manufacturers used a lot of differing couplers over the years. Here are some examples of the basic types so we can better diagnose your problem.

Pre-WW2 Couplers

Lionel

  1. Hook:
  2. Latch:
  3. Box:
  4. American Flyer Hook:
  5. AF hook and latch: !(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/American-Flyer-Standard-Gauge-Hook-Latch-Coupler-/00/$(KGrHqUOKjcE353SrP(6BOFfPdC03w~~_3.JPG)
  6. AF curley Q:
  7. AF link:
  8. Ives hook couplers:
  9. Ives snake-pull:
  10. See this page for an excellent list of Marx couplers: https://dfarq.homeip.net/marx-couplers-explained/

In the postwar era all 3 of the large, survivng toy train manufacturers (

4

Go to 1:29 for help with your couplers.

5

Also, you can add the conversion coupler 480-25 to the Scout truck:

6

This is axactly my problem! Thank you! I’ll give the filing a try.