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A Issue With Drooping Couplers or is Couple Height The Problem?
Warren asks readers:
“I have observed that some of my HO Kadee couplers are sagging a bit low on two locos. I notice one coupler shank seems a bit loose in the coupler box and at times angles down towards the rail. Is there a way to fix this? How high should my couplers be? Advice please someone.”
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4 Responses to A Issue With Drooping Couplers or is Couple Height The Problem?
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Second question first – the couplers should be set to the height that matches a good coupler height gauge, like the one from Kadee or MicroTrains.
There are two good and one “bad” fix for loose or drooping couplers. The “bad” one is to put a thin shim in the coupler housing. The problem here is that it may make it too tight or bind with the shank and limit the free swinging of the coupler. A better way is to carefully file away a bit of the rim of the coupler housing, effectively making it shallower. Just don’t overdo it. The third way is to replace the couplers with ones having a slightly thicker shank. Measure the ones you have and research the couplers on the manufacturer’s web site. Most have engineering documents posted that show shank measurements.
Dale is right, except adding a shim might be the answer to your problem, but only if it creates a small ledge in the rear, top section of the coupler box to push the coupler shank down enough to raise the gladhand up to the correct height.. In most commercial locos and rolling stock you can generally assume that the front, bottom lip of the box is the right height, but that the shank may sag due to the weight of the gladhand, a thin shim at the top rear would have the effect of lifting the front. As Dale says, the shim might cause binding so be prepared to pare away unwanted thickness.
Ho Warren
Check on the pin in the coupler box to make sure its a snug fit to the hole on the coupler the wrong size coupler shank hole could be causing all your trouble I have had to change coupler boxes before.
on some locomotives a standard couple sometimes will be low. If the coupler is snug in the pocket check your engine with a coupler gauge. It may be you need to change to either a inderst or overset coupler