Abstract: A method of assembling a model railroad truck includes placing a truck spring on a spring retainer which is carried on either of a truck bolster or a truck side frame, resting the free end of the truck spring on the other element of the truck, pushing the end of the truck bolster into the upper portion of the bolster receiver, such that the end of the truck bolster travels along truck radii of the bolster receiver, compressing the truck spring while simultaneously pushing the end of the truck bolster through the bolster receiver, and decompressing the truck springs to allow the bolster to be retained in the side frame.

Abstract: An improved model railroad coupler incorporates a coupler shank, having a joining element at one end thereof and a coupler head at the other end thereof. A coupler-knuckle receiver is located within the coupler head and receives a coupler knuckle. The knuckle is provided with limited, rotational movement within the coupler head, through a predefined arc. The coupler head has a first knuckle stop located thereon which limits rotational movement of the coupler knuckle relative to the coupler head in a first direction of rotation. A second knuckle stop is located on one side of the coupler head adjacent to the shank. A knuckle limiter is located on the coupler knuckle. The second knuckle stop and the knuckle limiter are constructed and arranged to abut one another when the coupler knuckle is shifted to an open position, thereby stopping rotation of the coupler knuckle relative to the coupler head.

Abstract: A model railroad truck structure includes a truck bolster which has a side-frame keeper on each end thereof for maintaining a side frame in position on the bolster. An elongate truck side frame is carried on each end of the truck bolster, which is received within a bolster receiver therein. A spring retainer is provided for receiving a spring thereon and for maintaining the spring in position between the truck bolster and the side frame. The spring retainer may be located on the bolster or on the side frame.

Abstract: A coupler adaptor is intended for use with rolling stock that has a coupler mounted thereon, and is used between the coupler mount and a coupler draft box having a coupler mounted therein. The adaptor includes an adaptor plate having a post thereon. A spring is provided and has opposed, extensible arms, and draft-box capturing fingers located at the ends of the arms. A spring coil is located intermediate the arms and is sized to fit over the post. When the individual elements are combined, the coupler may rotate relative to the draft box and the draft box may rotate relative to the adaptor plate, which is fixed on the rolling stock, thereby providing for significantly greater angular movement of the coupler than what would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: A model railroad coupler centering system includes a draft box and a coupler. The coupler includes a coupler head and a coupler knuckle. An elongate coupler shank extends between the coupler head and a coupler mounting structure. The coupler mounting structure includes a mounting plate, which may have forwardly diverging sides thereto. Plural centering springs are fixed on each side of the coupler mounting plate such that when the coupler is centered, the centering springs make touching, non-flexed contact with the interior of the draft box and, when the coupler is pushed off-center, one of the centering springs makes flexed contact within an interior side of the draft box and the other centering spring does not make any contact with the other side of the draft box.

Abstract: An improved coupler structure is intended for use on model railroad rolling stock. The coupler structure includes a coupler having a shank and a joining mechanism for joining to a companion coupler on another piece of rolling stock located at one end of the shank. A centering structure is located adjacent the other end of the shank for maintaining the coupler in an axially aligned condition with the rolling stock body axis. The centering structure includes a centering cavity formed in the shank other end and a centering mount attached to the rolling stock body.

Abstract: A self-centering truck assembly is intended for use on model-railroad cars. Model rail cars have some form of truck-mounting structure thereon which provide a way to mount trucks to the car. A truck is provided which includes an elongate bolster extending between its sides. A self-centering cam is provided and is operable to center the trucks such that the bolster axis is oriented normal to a longitudinal axis of the car.

Abstract: A model railroad turnout assembly includes a roadbed element having an entry track thereon. The entry track includes a pair of spaced apart entry rails. Plural, branching discharge tracks are mounted on the roadbed element, each discharge track including a pair of spaced apart discharge rails. The adjacent rails of the discharge track terminate with ends intermediate the other rails of the discharge tracks. A switch element is provided and has a pair of blades at one end thereof. A frog extends from the discharge track ends over the switch. The frog is shiftable, with the switch element, such that the frog contacts an element blade to provide a continuous rail segment between a selected entry track rail and a selected discharge track rail.

Abstract: The instant invention includes a track joining element which is operable to join two sections of track and to provide lateral and longitudinal positioning of the track sections relative one another. The joining elements include a tongue and a slot formed on each element. The tongue and slot have a common side which forms a linear guide path for engaging a like joining element on another section of track. The tongue is constructed and arranged to be clearance receivable in the slot on a second joining element. Interlocking means are provided to maintain the two elements in an engaged condition. In the preferred embodiment, interlocking means includes a leafspring mounted on the linear guide path. The spring has a free end which protrudes into the slot and engages a notch formed on the tongue of another joining element.

Abstract: An improved truck mounting mechanism for a model railroad locomotive includes a gimbal body fixed to a wheel-bearing truck frame. A gimbal mount is provided for receiving the gimbal body. The gimbal mount is flexibly secured to the locomotive chassis and the gimbal mount and gimbal body are constructed and arranged to provide three-axis movement of the truck frame relative to the chassis.

Abstract: In a model railway system it is desirable to include cars which simulate refrigerator cars. Model railway refrigerator cars are not, of course, furnished with ice or other means of actual refrigeration, but they should resemble actual cars which are so furnished, under actual operating conditions. To this end, the roof of each model railway refrigerator car is provided, according to the present invention, with a hatch at each end of the roof, a tiltable cover for each hatch, a retaining means for keeping the cover open, and an alternative retaining means for keeping the cover closed. The present invention has to do with a very simple and economical association of roof and cover and for providing interchangeable latches that hold the cover in open and closed condition, respectively.

Abstract: In the manufacture of model railway boxcars, simulated mounting steps which protrude downward beyond the car body have heretofore been normally composed of the same brittle material as the car body, and have been made integral with the car body, but according to the present invention they are made as parts of highly flexible and resilient, discrete units which are adapted to be fixedly associated with the car floor and body.

Abstract: This invention relates to a model railway system employing a novel uncoupling mechanism for couplers of the type which are coupled by having one coupler cam another upward so that it may then drop into the coupled relationship. Couplers of this type, equipped with suitable magnets, can be uncoupled mechanically or by magnetic repulsion or attraction. In accordance with the present invention a normally inactive uncoupling magnet, located at an uncoupling station, is rendered active, thereby to effect uncoupling by magnetic repulsion of one of the couplers. The couplers, after being thus disconnected, are displaced laterally in opposite directions by magnetic attraction and the raised coupler is then permitted to drop. The altered relationship is such that one coupler may push the other without recoupling. By this means a detached car or train section can be pushed to any desired location and left there.