I have a 1976 Lionel Freedom Train set I’m trying to get ready to sell. A few of the couplers are broken/missing, and I just want replacement couplers that will work properly with the other existing couplers so it will be useable for whoever buys it . Attached is a picture of one of the originals. Does it make any difference if I use Walther or Athearn?
That looks like a “small hole” coupler used by many companies that made train set quality (lowest end, low detail) items back in the 70’s and 80’s. Walthers and Athearn couplers are large hole and will not fit properly. Small hole couplers are much harder to find replacements for as companies ditched them long before horn-hook couplers as a whole died off in favor of knuckle couplers.
You’re right, of course. Hadn’t noticed the difference in the hole size. So would I need to change all of the trucks?
Not necessarily, any small hole coupler would fit, as they were pretty much all the same, even the ones that were different (such as these) could accept other types. There are some for sale on eBay, if you are willing to spend a bit to get them ready. Original couplers are a bit pricey, at $1.29 per coupler: Original couplers. 3D printed replacements are way cheaper at $0.43 per: 3d printed couplers. Both listings do have way more couplers than you would need (14 and 30 respectively), but would be way cheaper than replacing all the trucks.
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These couplers always amused me. Both those and the “NMRA couplers” used on N gauge. Lionel’s knuckles are a bit large and they’re truck mounted rather than body mounted, but clearly they’re more realistic than either of the ones used by the “more realistic” smaller scales used. S gauge excluded of course. Ah well, just another lesson of history from the “scale wars”. 