Hi,

I just got 4 of the IC2 Bi-Level cars yesterday (43486 > 43489) and I'm pulling them with a BR 103 (39173), to my dismay, when pulling out of the station it came to a slight curve which basically consist of a C Track 24224 going into a 4 way crossing. Going through the curve, the first car tipped partially to the side and then derailed. I found a video online that explained how the coupler can get caught on the underside of the buffers. I checked all the couplers to ensure that was not the case and noticed the couplers were not seated properly between the locomotive and car. Once I seated the coupler properly things were fine until the set went up an incline, as the set entered a curve on the incline it derailed again. I'm assuming because of the pull from the weight of the cars going uphill the slack on the couplers was pulled tight so it no longer clears the buffers which in turn causes the cars to derail. Hope this all makes sense, any suggestions on how I can fix this issue?

Thanks

I will check to see if the mechanism sticks.

I don't have any other couplers aside from a relex coupler which I also tried when the problem initially occurred between the lok and first car cause I thought the buffers were hitting on the turn because they were too close. It actually helped the problem but when I saw the video online I switched back to the close coupler.

All the cars come with current conducting couplers and the cab control car has the pickup shoe, guess even though they are sold separately, they are still considered a set. Unfortunately I don't have the new couplers but even if I did and they would solve the problem, I would have a new problem, I would have no lighting in the cars.

I would send a quick email to digital(at)Marklin.com and see what Rick suggests. As you mention, this train has lighting controlled by the decoder in the pilot coach and requires current conducting couplers. The Maerklin design works with a metal contact which transfers the power from the coupling to a pin inside the coach that connects to the light channel. You could replace the uncouple-able ones with the fixed bar version and try that.
Technically, it would be also possible to use current conducting couplers by Viessmann, Roco or other, but you would have to bypass the Maerklin contact and run wires from the coupler to the coach interior. There is a current conducting version of the new coupler, which may avoid any impact with the buffers. Older Maerklin coaches (26-27cm) used to allow for the buffers to be pushed in for use with tighter curves. I don't know if the newer 28cm models have the same feature, particularly the double deck coaches you have...

As far as the incline, is it possible to add a shim under the tracks to make the incline begin more gradually?



Regards

Mike C

I have experienced some couplings getting stuck when moving from side to side which is worse when a little pressure causes it to press against the bottom of the car. Moving the coupling with a bit of pressure an applying any lubricant that works on plastic, teflon or silicone, solved the problem.

I was actually able to run the set around my layout without it derailing yesterday evening but I could hear a clicking noise so I'm sure the couplers are hitting the buffers on some cars, sometimes it was hard to hear over the squeeky pickup shoe though. The only place it derailed was on an incline when it went over a curved turnout but it was the second last car which derailed instead of the first one. Will fiddle around with it some more to see if I can stop it from derailing complete.

With this set, I can really see how Marklin's quality has gone down, never had a squeeky pickup shoe on any kind of lok or cars before and what's with the paint? It feels like fine sand paper!! I'm beginning to worry what problems I will see with my Northlander whenever it arrives.

Jean, sorry for not signing my message, I don't work for the CIA, but I work for the Govt and I'm required to keep my identity secret so let's just call me Mike. LOL

I have a set of the same cars. I can see that if you turn a wagon upside down and move the coupler and the bogie to their extreme positions it is possible for the wheel flanges to hit and snag on the back end of the coupler. Not sure if this is what causes any problems. It would only do in extreme curves.
I've changed the coupler on the car coupled to the locomotive (the Danish Vectron Litra EB) to the Roco universal which is also on the loco. The rest of the couplers the standard Marklin short couplers. I bought an extra bi car from another make (in order to have four wagons) and on that I put the new Marklin short couplers that are flatter than the old ones.
I have some "difficult" spots on my layout but the set runs fine. On some rolling stock I have to adjust wheel spacing not just because of the tight spots but just to ensure problem free driving and shunting.

(My set of three bi cars plus one is the Danish version. Not the German).

Edited by user 03 August 2024 18:36:40(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified