Not having a layout or even a test track at this time, I've been wondering what would happen if the centering springs were removed from Rapido Couplers or Red Caboose couplers in Rapido pockets. I am asking this question because I have found that many of these couplers with the coiled centering springs get stuck and do not move freely. I am not concerned with remote coupling and uncoupling, as I would do it manually. Would the couplers stay coupled? What's the downside. Alternatively, how can you avoid the tendency of the coiled centering spring to cause the coupler to lock up. Does anyone make a whisker type spring to replace the coiled type ?
Without the springs the couplers would droop. The couplers might stay coupled if they each hung down the same amount. However I would not depend on that. The new McHenry couplers use whisker springs as well as some older MDC Roundhouse couplers. The McHenry couplers work very nice but the MDC ones are about as useless as they come.
Alternatively, how can you avoid the tendency of the coiled centering spring to cause the coupler to lock up. Hello, You may want to check to see if there is flash around the coupler pocket. I have found this to "lock up" some of my couplers. A sharp X-Acto makes quick work of this.Take the centering spring out(temporarily), then check to see if the coupler moves freely(pushing in & out with your fingers).If it hangs up, check for flash around the pocket(where the coupler rides). Just a thought,
If you plan to couple and uncouple a lot, both manually and remotely I suggest you to forget about Rapidos. They are the worst couplers ever made in my opinion. And after modeling european trains from age 5 to 29, I definitely know if it's true I even started converting EU rolling stock to MTL couplers on my previous layout. See here for a video comparison: Kopfbergbahn - Austrian model railroading in N scale (1:160) (bottom of the page)
