AboutFrank Edgcombe Expertise I CAN NOT DIAGNOSE equipment problems or ESTIMATE DOLLAR VALUES of your equipment, by email. I have been active in model railroading for forty years. I can answer, or find answers, to questions on most aspects of model trains, railroad equipment or buildings. I have a good knowledge of prototype railroads. I have been employed by five model railroad equipment manufacturers/suppliers and worked for a prototype railroad. I have served, twice, as the president of a local model railroad club. I have been employed as a Reference Librarian, at a university, for the last fifteen years and am used to tracking down resources for patrons.
Expert: Frank Edgcombe Date: 7/10/2008 Subject: Bachmann TGV coupler
Question Frank,
I have an older Bachmann TGV (classic Collector Series) (orange). A coupler on one of the coaches broke and I am trying to find a replacement. Bachmann says they don't carry it. I saw your post regarding the engine coupler and the one I need snaps into the coach in a similar way, but fastens differently to the next car.
Answer Hi! Mike. Thanks for your question. If Bachmann doesn't make a replacement, I think you have a problem. The post I sent was from the Bachmann spares website. Compounding the problem is the fact that most manufacturers have changed their couplers over time and I don't know what type you are looking for. For years American manufacturers used a coupler called a "hook-horn coupler" loosely based on a previous NMRA design, but very often poorly manufactured. Later most manufacturers changed to a magnetically operated coupler based on a coupler called a Kadee. The patents on this far superior coupler had run out and Bachmann started to equip their stock with a copy called the EZMate coupler. I don't know which one is one your TGV as it could be either, but probably a "hook-horn". Bachmann has a replacement EZMate couplers for the Acela cars, but it appears they never did make them for the TGV. Compounding the question further is the fact that coupling coaches together is harder than freight cars, as coaches are physically longer. To get around sharp model train curves the coach couplers have to be very long. You might be stuck with jury rigging your coaches together with a bent piece of wire from a straightened, shortened paper clip. It would seem that you probably require a long "Hook horn" coupler. I know of no manufacturer that makes such an item. Such couplers are really out-of-date and probably don't sell well. Bachmann also used to be an American company but they were bought out by a Chinese company in the 1980's. Your TGV was probably a product of the defunct American company and that is why the present Bachmann company, with far superior products, doesn't have replacement couplers. Put it down to globalization. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Frank.
