Model Train Journal

This might be fun for the Fourth:



The Acme Disconnect Rocket Car from Lionel's Looney Tunes series. I've been thinking about crafting a bottle-rocket launcher...would seem pretty simple.

Hope all here have a terrific Fourth!

Amusing.

I found a train station for rent over in Greensburg, 14.8 miles from my house.

Built around 1913, the one‑story frame depot on Depot Street (103 N. Depot St.) served as a passenger stop for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad in the early 20th century. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 for its significance in transportation and architecture. Over time, Greensburg lost its passenger rail service — the tracks were removed in 1985.

$75/day seems a great deal. I wonder if it has a kitchen and if it’s air-conditioned.

healey36 wrote:$75/day seems a great deal.

Far beyond a great deal! Looking at $800+ for a day in a venue for local NMRA meets - always scrambling about for someone with a connection that can open a door at an affordable cost here.

I saw this happen in a Southern Pacific train one day on my way to work.

The crew backed up, replaced the knuckle, coupled to the fixed car, and went on to Nogales, Mexico.

My knuckle did not break; the pin that holds the knuckle closed failed. It has enough force to push it up when coupled to the train, but not enough to stay up. I can back up, couple, and be on the way to the next uncouple incident, over and over. How prototypical!

Making the video shows a second reason for the uncoupling. The big C&IM car in front of the problem car gets all shook up as it comes out of a curve with the transformer set to notch 3. I just ran the train for a few laps at notch 2. So far, uncoupling has not happened at notch 2.

Bad Order Coupler by Wayne Benda, on Flickr

FAILURE ANALYSIS
The first thing I see is that the truck is riveted to the chassis.

Failure to make it easy to R&R the truck.

Second: The uncoupling thumbtack is bent.

Failure to be positioned properly.
I wonder if someone thought pulling on the thumbtack would cause the knuckle pin to seat better?

Third: The coupling pin mechanism is not seated properly.

Failure of the coupling spring part to stay seated in the coupler shank.
Shades of Menards! The same problem Menards couplers have.*

*Not all Menards couplers use this plastic spring design.