Rustie86 Posted September 6, 2020 Has anybody attempted to build or seen somewhere a design for a Lego train coupler built from regular parts? Even if it's not an attempt at a working knuckle coupler or any other real life system. I had the thought a couple weeks back and while I've been tossing possible mechanisms around in my imagination, I haven't yet tried assembling anything yet. (I'd imagine Technic would be a large percentage of any such design.) I am curious if anybody else has attempted such a thing though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davidzq Posted September 6, 2020 Many people will use this hand as a non-functional coupler, as it looks pretty realistic, especially in reddish brown. Https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=11092 Otherwise people will simply use a 3 or 4 long liftarm and a couple axles/pins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zephyr1934 Posted September 7, 2020 14 hours ago, davidzq said: Many people will use this hand as a non-functional coupler, as it looks pretty realistic, especially in reddish brown. Https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=11092 Now that's a real knuckle coupler... Then there's the forthcoming BMR couplers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dr_spock Posted September 7, 2020 Technic suspension/steering link for semi-permament coupling. There are also various 3D printable train couplers on Thingiverse that could be modified to work with LEGO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteamSewnEmpire Posted September 10, 2020 On 9/7/2020 at 6:55 AM, zephyr1934 said: Now that's a real knuckle coupler... Then there's the forthcoming BMR couplers O-scale knuckles mated to a 3D printed receiver? Heh. I think - and this is just for me - that's a bit much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coaster Posted September 10, 2020 The BMR/Brickforge ones are actually molded. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteamSewnEmpire Posted September 10, 2020 I think my problem with it is that it doesn't look toy-like enough - at least for the locomotives I am building. When I use 3d printed parts - such as @zephyr1934 's rods - they still look as if Lego could have produced them; that they were a part. These couplers are so real-world/serious scale model-inspired that I can't wrap my mind around them 'being' Lego. This is absolutely no commentary on the quality - which looks excellent - nor does it have application for anyone other than me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coaster Posted September 10, 2020 4 minutes ago, SteamSewnEmpire said: I think my problem with it is that it doesn't look toy-like enough - at least for the locomotives I am building. When I use 3d printed parts - such as @zephyr1934 's rods - they still look as if Lego could have produced them; that they were a part. These couplers are so real-world/serious scale model-inspired that I can't wrap my mind around them 'being' Lego. This is absolutely no commentary on the quality - which looks excellent - nor does it have application for anyone other than me. I agree wholly. I like that they're doing this and I can appreciate the appeal of the couplers, but they're not my cup of tea. I am all in on the new magnet couplers Lifelites is doing though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteamSewnEmpire Posted September 10, 2020 4 hours ago, coaster said: I agree wholly. I like that they're doing this and I can appreciate the appeal of the couplers, but they're not my cup of tea. I am all in on the new magnet couplers Lifelites is doing though. That sounds nifty. Any photos available? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coaster Posted September 10, 2020 I don't, but they're neodymium magnets in a plastic housing and are perfect replacements for the standard (and ungodly expensive) LEGO ones. They have a replica coupler piece as well to go with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ts__ Posted September 11, 2020 At the exhibition "Bricking Bavaria 2019" in Fürth / Germany, Dirk showed a train with built couplings. I asked Dirk and am allowed to show this here: More pictures are available on Dirk's Flickr account, just click on the picture ... Thomas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amoreternum Posted September 11, 2020 Now these are interesting - would love to know how they are connected to the loco and cars, and how stable the connections are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moparacker Posted September 12, 2020 On 9/11/2020 at 1:11 PM, Amoreternum said: Now these are interesting - would love to know how they are connected to the loco and cars, and how stable the connections are. I found a picture in the linked gallery that shows the underside of the coupler and was able to recreate it in Meca: https://www.mecabricks.com/en/models/oK2wkNEz29k Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amoreternum Posted September 13, 2020 11 hours ago, moparacker said: I found a picture in the linked gallery that shows the underside of the coupler and was able to recreate it in Meca: https://www.mecabricks.com/en/models/oK2wkNEz29k Ah, saw that too but that must have slipped my mind. Thanks alot, especially for the render! Will definitely try that one out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites