Is there a better way to uncouple and couple these cars without tipping them on their side?
Mr. C,
According to the instructions, one can simply pull the cars apart. I do it this way sometimes. I only apply just enough pull force to get the cars apart.
The other method (which you probably discovered) is to lay them on their side and use a fine needle nose pliers to squeeze the male coupling. This is probably easier on the couplers, but not as convenient.
Regards,
Jonathan
I have one also and its very difficult to get them together...but easy to get apart
Did anyone try replacing the couplers with something other?
I thought about it but decided against it as I want them to stay together as the same train so my little engineer can't hook them to something else
There are adapters available, so one can put knuckle couplers in as a replacement. I did not for this reason:
I put the Acela Express train together (full prototypical consist) in the Spring, when my garage is warm enough to run trains. I disassemble the train in the winter, when the garage is too cold to run trains. That's it... When I'm not running the Acela, it has it's own track (track #1) in my passenger terminal yard. Ordinarily there is no need for coupling and uncoupling. I service the engine during packing and unpacking.
Regards,
Jonathan
this area is still under construction, but the basics are in place:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/Larger%20Layout%20Photos/DSCN0385.jpg)
Hey Jonathan can you direct me to the adapters for changing to the knuckle couplers
FM,
Bachmann sells 'em.
I believe if you head to Products/HO/Couplers, you'll find the NEM knuckle coupler inserts that fit into the Acela cars.
Regards,
Jonathan
kewll tanks alot so how many do you get for $21.50
That price is for a package that a dealer buys. You would buy just one pair of couplers from your dealer. It is probably going to cost you around $2-$3 a pair.
I assume I will need 2 short for the engines and 6 long/med for the cars
I've been looking at the Acela for some time but have shied away because
of the couplers. This thread got me looking again and searching.
I'm not sure about the lengths, as the conversions appear to come in
only one length(medium).
Caboose has the conversion couplers singly(1 pair) for under $1.50
Trainworld On Line and Trainsets Only have them in 12 pair packages
for about $13.
I hope this helps and doesn't violate and rules.
Ebay also has long and short nem couplers...I'm gonna get them as my little engineer likes to take the power engine off and put the dummy engine in front and push them by hand, so it would be a lot easier to put it back right with knuckles and I think I will get the 12 pack as I would like to lengthen the "bullet train" in the future...the engineer calls it a bullet train
so would these work between the cars http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220574363422&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT and these work http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230448301077&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT on the engines to keep the correct clearance between all cars
ok ordered received and installed but they leave a little bit of a gap, more so at the engines (http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb165/nitroburnr/DSC03678.jpg) (http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb165/nitroburnr/DSC03679.jpg)
How did the engine to car spacing work out?
The picture is a little dark---but it appears fairly consistant.
the gap is worse at the engines but with the right couplers it would be much better (http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb165/nitroburnr/DSC03680.jpg)
ok here's the problem the couplers I got have the knuckle above the shank and it need to be centered or under for proper alignment as in these two photo's...I have looked and can't seem to find any like I would like to get so does anyone know where to get them...the first pic is the way I want which are not nem and the second pic is like the ones I got (http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb165/nitroburnr/coupler.jpg) (http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb165/nitroburnr/coupler1.jpg)
^^^anyone^^^
full maxx: Check out the Kadee website . I think they might have NEM type couplers. It will take some browsing to find them. John II P.S. Take a look for Marklin couplers as they are NEM type as well & I was able to covert them to knuckle couplers. Good Hunting!!!