Thanks for the infomation. I will try to locate a softer spring.  I think they have them in the parts dept on line.

These are rapido couplers and they are mounted on the trucks.  I have installed new coupler housing and couplers and in one instace have put in a new spring but they still will not lay flat. and when they do lay flat, once you try to couple them with a car they tend to stay up in the air. thanks for helping.

I've just recently purchased a used set of Bachman engines. the F9 diesel Chessie system and I can't get the couplers to align right with my rolling stock of freights. It will line up good with my 85' santa fe passenger #507. What can I do to get the alignment straight.  The couplers on the engines are higher than my rolling stock couplers.