I had MTH crap out on me today on a kaboose. The spring broke. I'll probably try this or an ink pin spring cut down to fit. Do you know if the MTH/Railking would used the same size tubing?
Have had this problem since purchased about 6 years ago. I took it to a guy in Austin who worked on these trains, Waste of time since it continued to come apart when the train went around the track no more than 2 x. We aren't or don't have skills to fix this train we use at Christmas for our grandkids. It has been very annoying. It is a Lionel.
Sorry to hear that. It is extremely annoying when this happens. This fix is really pretty simple to do. This tubing can be found in most hobby shops and its as simple as unscrewing the screw, cutting the tubing to size and securing with the screw that was removed. You can see below in the comment but another fix if you aren't too concerned about the look is taking a small zip tie and zipping it tight around the coupler shaft so the coupler can't be opened. Hope you get it fixed. Marc
![How To Add Lionel Uncouplers [Almost] Anywhere! Even On Curves!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1m8O57GhkOw/mqdefault.jpg)
Great idea. I use the 4” black zip ties on all my cars. The 89’ Lionel auto racks are brutal with this.
Hey Rob, I've seen that done before as well. Crazy how so many Lionel cars have this issue.
This is a great tip. Thanks for your help on this. I have this problem all of the time. Thumbs up.
Great fix
Would a rubber band around the coupler help give extra strength if used with the spring. ?
I'm sure it would work, for awhile anyways.
Thanks for this video! I’ll have to look into this. Where do you get this neoprene tubing?
Ive had it for some time. Its dubro #199.
I’d try your local hobby shop or auto center like Napa first. If not you can certainly find it on line.
I had MTH crap out on me today on a kaboose. The spring broke. I'll probably try this or an ink pin spring cut down to fit. Do you know if the MTH/Railking would used the same size tubing?
I haven’t tried this on an MTH yet.
Have had this problem since purchased about 6 years ago. I took it to a guy in Austin who worked on these trains, Waste of time since it continued to come apart when the train went around the track no more than 2 x. We aren't or don't have skills to fix this train we use at Christmas for our grandkids. It has been very annoying. It is a Lionel.
Sorry to hear that. It is extremely annoying when this happens. This fix is really pretty simple to do. This tubing can be found in most hobby shops and its as simple as unscrewing the screw, cutting the tubing to size and securing with the screw that was removed. You can see below in the comment but another fix if you aren't too concerned about the look is taking a small zip tie and zipping it tight around the coupler shaft so the coupler can't be opened. Hope you get it fixed.
Marc
Why not wind a spring with heavier spring wire ?
2 of my cars have the same problem