Trainline 45 RhB coaches

pghewett

pghewett

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I have recently purchased two of the TL45 RhB bogie coaches; I find that the couplings are set so low that the hook usually catches in the curved blade of facing points (LGB, any radius), despite being screwed as tightly as possible to the mounting . One solution may be to "tip" the hook upwards slightly by inserting a small pad on the counterweight end of the hook to prevent it from drooping, but I wonder whether others have had this problem, and if so what solution they have found. Maybe I am mounting the hook incorrectly but I can't see any obvious alternative to the classic LGB way.

GH
 
That is low! Can you post a picture of how you have mounted the hook/coupling? I recall a similar problem I had years ago - not on a TrainLine product (with which I admnit I am not familiar) - and it turned out that the loop was mounted upside down.
 
pghewett said:
Maybe I am mounting the hook incorrectly but I can't see any obvious alternative to the classic LGB way.
Click to expand...
Any chance of a picture, so we can see both the problem and any possible assembly issues?
 
Problem solved (I hope!) - after dismantling the TL45 coupling, I discovered that the base (ie the shank) of the hook element is approximately 2-3mm thicker than the LGB hook and the hole for the split pin is at a slight angle, which tips the hook slightly but enough. The TL45 spring also seemed less flexible than the LGB one. (This wouldn't show up on casual handling nor on a photo). Replacement of the whole shooting match with LGB spares seems to have done the trick - so, the advice might be to bin the couplings supplied by TL45 when first opening the box, and fish out the better LGB stuff...

One other niggle about these otherwise excellent coaches is that one of the pair was supplied without the windows on one side being glued in, so they all popped in quick succession. An easy problem to solve but all in all, an hour of fine weather when one could have been so productive.

I'll post some pix of these behind the Ge 2/4 or the Croc when I get a moment.

Graham H
 
I have four T/L HSB Maroon and cream coaches. All of the coaches have there windows only glued on one side for some strange reason and is quite simple to rectify using superglue. I haven't had and issues with coupling heights, but as you say the spring is quite flimsy and has broken on a few couplings. I have replaced with LGB springs which are a lot better.
Steve..........
 
I would have thought that the coupling problem would be worth a letter to Trainline complaining of the quality, also explaining that although it is an easy job to swap the original couplings for LGB, the LGB couplings aren't exactly given away are they?
 
So I wrote to TL45 about their couplings and the non-glued train windows. I will circulate their reply, if I get one!

GH
 
I have also had problems with broken springs on trainline couplings and have replaced them wth LGB items the plastic seems to be of a superior quality
 
I have noticed that the LGB springs have varied in flexibility over the years from batch to batch some being better than others. USA Trains LGB type couplers are also good and identical.
 
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