I have three Walthers Mainline passenger cars with their ProtoMax metal knuckle couplers. The couplers are truck mounted and I have occasional disconnects from my engine coming out of a turnout. It doesn’t happen every time but often enough to become a nuisance.
I’m looking into replacing the couplers with Kadee #148 couplers. Should I also consider body mounted couplers?
Let me know your experiences with a similar situation. TIA.
I would check/change the couplers (including the engine’s) and see if that fixes the problem. I don’t see how a body-mounted coupler would address your specific problem.
Simon
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The 148s are a very good coupler. I use the 140 series almost exclusively.
The thing to consider with body mounting is your track radius. If it’s small (22" R or under) leave them truck mounted. For larger, shouldn’t be a problem.
Also double check your trackwork and also make sure the couplers are mating properly. Ill-fitting couplers can also cause problems.
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I agree with FRRYKid I don’t think a body mount will help, but check the coupler hight that mite be the problem
Make sure your trucks swivel freely.
I had a similar problem with a freight car, the trucks swiveled but one was a little too snug. Half turn of the screw and my problem was solved.
Paul
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Do those cars have swing coupler pockets? If so, this may be due to a large amount of up and down movement at the knuckleheads. When traction force is applied, the front and rear couplers may become misaligned and separate.
To prevent this, change the couplers to Kadee #118 or #119 couplers with upper and lower shelves. #118 is recommended as it is similar to the tightlock H couplers for passenger cars.
This is usually more likely to happen on 89’ autoracks, flat cars and 86’ boxcars. But this is rare on passenger cars with shorter overhangs, so there may be another cause.