Kato coupler centering springs. Any tips or tricks?

[Vaderta]

   So I was missing one train out of the kato passenger train selection. Found it on Ebay.  Great Northern Empire Builder. Listed as new. I buy it and clearly has seen some use but what should I have expected for an older train. Upon further inspection I notice there are no centering springs in the couplers. Don't know how important they are, but figured I would get some and try to install them. We'll after the first one took flight never to be seen again, I figured maybe someone has installed these and has a good method for getting them in place without them taking flight? Any tips appreciated
 Thanks.

[NorsemanJack]

That sounds like the original Kato coupler configuration introduced with the Corrugated cars.  They were problematic (uncoupling) and Kato offered free upgrade kits consisting of the new coupler, spring and a snap in coupler cover with a pin for the coupler to rotate on and a place for the spring to rest.  All are readily available from KatoUSA.  I've attached the instruction sheet that came with the free upgrades.

[Vaderta]

Thanks so much.You answered the question I was about to ask. This set came in an A,B,C set. Some of the couplers have springs and some do not. After closer examination I see they are completely different style couplers. My guess is some cars are from an earlier run.

Did find a way to easily install centering springs in couplers that take them. Get a piece of thread and run it through the spring. With one hand hold the ends of thread. With the other hand take a fine pair of tweezers and position the spring. Once positioned remove the thread. If while positioning the spring it pops out of place the thread keeps it from flying into the great beyond. Thanks again for the help.It is much appreciated

[NorsemanJack]

I doubt that adding a spring to these accomplishes anything.  I did have some of the original GN cars as well as original Corrugated sets.  IIRC, I upgraded all of the GN cars using the free upgrades from Kato.  If you're going to keep these, you will probably want to fully upgrade them all with new Kato couplers, covers and springs.  It takes only a couple minutes per car and brings them fully up to date.

[Vaderta]

Thanks, Kato USA is only a couple of miles down the road from me. So I am definitely going to take your advice and upgrade the couplers to the newer style. Rather fix it and be compatible with all my other rolling stock than have outdated couplers .Appreciate your help as the people at Kato aren't really that familiar with the older parts. Most of them were probably not with Kato when this train was manufactured. Looks to be only $40 to upgrade the couplers

[nkalanaga]

I have the entire set, and can confirm that the couplers don't have springs.

[Vaderta]

Thank you.  I appreciate you verifying that it is the way the train came and does have the older style coupler.  I stopped at Kato this morning and picked up the couplers, springs and covers to upgrade to the current style couplers with the springs.I don't know how many runs they had of this train, but it is clear my C set is from a newer run than my A and B set.