No I haven't used this rule since the 1st couple of tries when I got TRS2006. I had hoped it would improve the physcis but I didn't see any evidence of that.
Couplers break in compression if you exceed 5 mph when coupling iirc. Once broken a coupler won't couple again in the session. So at anytime in the session if you couple at more than 5 mph well that loco or car has had it.
If you're coupling at speeds below 5 mph well you may have something else wrong - I can't help you there.
Couplers break in tension if the pull exceeds the tensile strength specified in the rule. But since you can't get anything coupled up doesn't sound like you're pulling them apart.
Bob Pearson
