when were these run and are they narrow or standard gauge.
GDRMCo,
Just did a search on the Index of Magazines at this site using the term “disconnects” and found 31 citations. Don’t know what back issue capabilities you have in Oz, but perhaps some of those citations will answer your question if you can obtain access to them. Since they ran on logging roads, some of them undoubtedly were standard gauge and the kits for disconnects that I am aware of are all standard gauge. Hope some logging modeler can add more info about what period and about narrow gauge logging lines. Good luck.
Bob
The “disconnect” logging buggys or “trucks” were used to haul logs of various lengths. Each “truck” (set of wheels) had a coupler of some type at each end, and usually a hand brake. The “trucks” were spaced as needed to support the ends of the logs, be it 12 feet or 30 feet, any length could be hauled. No air brakes could be mounted, of course, so train lengths were short if hills were steep. On the return to the forest, the trucks were simply coupled together to make a very short train.
I would guess that they were used in narrow guage logging roads, I do not know. Certainly they were used on standard guage logging roads (not safe for mainline type operation).
GDRMCo,
Re-ran that search and read the titles narrowly for titles that specified gauge, and compared it to my back issue holdings. Had two articles for 3 foot by the late, great Al Armitage. In the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette, January/February 1996 issue, pages 30, 31, he has a plan for disconnects that were used until about 1916 on the L. E. White Lumber Company in Mendicino County, CA. And, in the NG&SLG July/August 1995 issue, pages 60, 61, he has redrawn to 3 foot gauge the standard gauge disconnect plan he had in the NG&SLG May/June issue that year. The standard gauge truck is on display at the Fort Humboldt State Park, Eureka, CA, and Al doesn’t mention in the 3 foot article which company used it.
Bob