Electro-magnetic uncouplers

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Does anyone know of any manufacturer or alternative to using Kadee electro-magnetic uncouplers? I consider them unsightly and would like to avoid using them, but need the on-off capability. Maybe I’m too vain. I am using Western Rail Products magnets under the roadbed for everything else. I am reluctant to construct a mechanical work around to raise and lower a standard magnet from under the roadbed, but I don’t know of any alternatives. I am trying to avoid reaching with my hands to uncouple if possible. Any inventors with a potential production item? If any solutions meet my needs I’ll have a dozen Kadee’s for sale! Thanks to Kadee for leading the way, but I want more! Thanks

2

How about using a bamboo skewer, the real railroad have someone pull the lever to uncouple cars, so you do the same thing, only instead of reaching between the car with your (oversize) fingers, you use the skewer to open the knuckles. There are manufactured versions of this, but you can get a whole pack of bamboo skewers in the grocery store for the price of one tool.

Or, the Rix uncoupling tool, basically a thin plastic stick with a U shaped bottom and a pair of magnets, slip it between the cars and the magnets pull the couplers open for you.

I am planning to put NO fixed magnets of any sort on my layout. Thus NO chance of accidental uncouplings. Each crew member will have a tool to take care of their setouts.

–Randy

3

Thanks. I will probably use the hand operated for those close at hand. My benchwork is high and some of the reaches are too long to avoid crushing anything between me and the intended target, yet close enough that the magnets are unsightly. That’s what I’m after. Thanks

4

Well, if I remember correctly, there was an article in MR a while back about using magnets like the #308 from Kadee and hinging them so that when you want the uncoupler, you turn a knob and the uncoupler moves into place and uncouples the cars. Unfortunately I don’t have access to my stack of MRs for quite some time, so I can’t find the article. It is a cheap, easy, and simple alternative to electromagnets.
Reed

5

Unfortunately, I don’t have access to that issue and haven’t been able to read it, but in the April 2002 MR there was an article about increasing the power of the Kadee electromagnetic uncoupler so that you could hide it beneath the track.

6

I bought a Kadee under track magnet, and the instruction sheet included directions and drawings for hinging it to drop away when not in use.

George

7

Maybe that is where I saw it…
Reed