Some modern Lionel train cars have bad claw couplers. They simply open all the time, since the spring that should keep the claw closed has worn out. I had two of them. One on a Lionel 9130 B&O Quad hopper car from 1971 and one on a 19736 Pennsylvania N5C Porthole Caboose from 1997. The coupler on the caboose is such a full metal thing that makes any repair difficult. I even used to run this car backwards to avoid uncoupling.
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| The Lionel 19736 caboose with a tiny (just visible) rubber band over its coupler. |
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| With the claw coupler fixed of the B&O quad hopper, it is finally possible to run string of them. |
Nevertheless, two small rubber bands made all the difference. These rubber bands are used by dentists to put tension on brackets and I received two bags of 100 bands, from the glorious brand named Rabbit, made in Mexico.The couplers now only open when the tab is pressed down and not on every possible moment the car feels like it.Three hurrays for Rabbit rubber bands.
