Has anyone had any experience with Rapido uncouplers

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi gang!

I’m considering using several Rapido uncouplers on my layout. Has anyone used them? If so, what do you think?

Here are the instructions for them for those of you who might not be familiar with them:

https://rapidotrains.com/sites/default/files/2018/04/11-Instructions_march2018.pdf

Thanks,

Dave

2

Dave: I have not tried them, but I am also interested.

It looks like a pretty good solution to accidental uncouplings.

Hopefully we hear from someone with real experience with this product.

-Kevin

3

They’re probably useful on the mainline, to avoid accidental uncoupling, but for other applications, such as industrial tracks, where you’d simply want to drop-off a car or two for loading/unloading, the Kadee under-track magnet is a cheaper, and easier-to-install, option.
Even cheaper, with no installation required, would be manual uncoupling for both industrial tracks and the mainline, although the track would have to be within easy-reach.

Wayne

4

Hi there. I installed one Kadee electromagnet uncoupler, and 3 Rapido uncouplers on my layout 2 years ago. I strongly recommend the Rapido ones. They are easy to install if your layout is still at the benchwork stage (same for Kadee, by the way), but superior in terms of performance. I ended up replacing my Kadee with a Rapido one.

Simon

PS: The first Rapido that I bought had a mistake in the instructions about the wiring. I can’t remember exactly what, but I think they fixed that in the later ones.

5

For my yard, I used the Bachmann magnet ones. They work fine, although they will do the unwanted uncoupling from time to time (just like the Kadee ones).

Simon

6

Thanks Simon!

Dave

7

Thanks… good information to know.

I am going to buy a Rapido one and do some tests… as soon as I have some time.

-Kevin

8

RAPIDO RailCrew #32001. I love them so far on the main line. The worst is having to drill the 1-3/4’’ holesaw up through my 3/4’’ base plywood (1-1/2’’ for foam per instructions) and not ripping up the already laid track above. That takes skill and know how. I put a radiator clamp around the holesaw so the holesaw will only cut so deep and not go in to the cork roadbed or rip though the foam, then hand turn the holesaw the rest of the way up to the ties. The ‘uncoupling machine’ sits against the tie bottoms or should not be more then 1/4’’ below the rail.

The toggle switch (return to center, on-off-on) is good, you do not have to hold the toggle switch to keep the ‘uncoupling machine’ activated or deactivated, the blue LED (DO NOT LOOK AT THE LIGHT) centered over the track will light when activated (NICE). You can hear the ‘uncoupling machine’ when activated and deactivated (CLICK ON-CLICK OFF) (NICE). I removed my Kadee #309s (sorry Kadee) and I am working in the RAPIDO RailCrew #32001. I would mark/number the ‘uncoupling machine’s’ terminals with a black sharpie fine point pen #1 through #5 in the correct order. Then paint color #1 in gray (+), #2 in white (-), #3 in white (-), #4 in red (-) and #5 in black (+). How long they will last ???. I had to soldered one wire, the gray one (from power to toggle circuit board), (gray + & white -), back on the toggle switch’s circuit board, my fault. The removed Kadee #309 will supply me with yards of Magnet wire for other projects.

The down side is… Get rid of any rolling stock (BB Athearn to name one) with Steel axles. The ‘uncoupling machine’ will draw the steel axles even when NOT activated. Well don’t get rid of the rollin

9

Hi PC101,

Thanks for the information and advice. I’m still at the benchwork stage so installing them shouldn’t be too difficult (turning a hole saw by hand!! No thanks!!). I can put the track down temporarily to locate the starter hole, and then remove the track before cutting the hole itself.

Cheers!!

Dave

10

Rapido has a video showing the installation (on Jason’s layout, naturally), and the most recent issue of Rehab My Railroad on MRVP has David Popp installing one as well.

–Randy

11

Thanks Randy, I’ll have a look.

The reason that I want remote uncouplers even though all of the track is within 20" of the fascia is that I want to be able to operate almost the whole layout from either side. The layout is 5’4" wide so there will be duplicate panels on both sides of the layout. Only the service yard will be run from just one panel. All I have to do is wire the two momentary uncoupler switches in parallel.

Dave

12

Well, I’m pretty much sold on the Rapido uncouplers so I’m going to order them.

Thanks for everyone’s input.

Dave

Edit: I ordered a 12 pack directly from Rapido. So far I only need 10 but the comparative cost meant that the two extras were only $10 each.

13

Hmmmmm… I see opportunity knocking and I’m not in a position to exploit it.

Build a small spring box terminal, either with lever lock/release (as in cheap speaker terminals) or tool insert (a smaller version of push-insert house-wiring switches and receptacles) with a spade terminal that fits a typical attach screw. Mold them in colors if desired and perhaps ‘profiled’ so they can be ‘ganged’ for strength when arranged side by side or joined with appropriate-width strips of 2-sided foam tape. Converts any screw-on to push-in. Two of these made or joined back-to-back is an easy replacement for inline splicing or joining two wire-end devices reversibly in about the same envelope as an ‘irreversible’ suitcase or Scotchlok connector.

Not a substitute for continuous high-current connections, of course, and that may be why it hasn’t been marketed here. But otherwise useful, including perhaps secure breadboard test wiring

A version could have a loop molded and attached for a wiring tag in Braille so the blind could work up under benchwork or in areas inaccessible with screwdrivers…

14

I’m guessing that you’re referring to the set-up on the RailCrew switch machines…

…and you’re correct - they’re very easy to use, since the connections can be made at the workbench, then simply plugged-in under the layout.

While I don’t need any such uncoupling devices, I did find the RailCrew switch machines to be a bit of a mess to install if the layout is in a somewhat “finished” state…

…but things did eventually get cleaned-up, and they work well…

Wayne

15

Hi Wayne,

I kind of wish that I had held off buying Tortoises for my turnouts because of the apparent ease of installing a working switch stand that the Rapido switch machines offer. No big deal. I can do operating switch stands with the Tortoises too.

Dave

16

I placed an order with Model Train Stuff (MBKlein) today, but they did not have any opf the Rapido uncouplers in stock.

In looked on eBay, and the only guy in the US selling singles wanted $25.00 for one.

I will get one soon(ish) and try it out for myself.

If I was not already 100% satisfied after 20+ years using Tortoises, I would certainly give the Rapido switch machine a try.

-Kevin

17

Hi Kevin,

Here is Rapido’s own listing. $20.95 USD ea. $18.91 ea. if you buy the 12 pack:

https://rapidotrains.com/products/ho-scale/parts-accessories/ho-scale-railcrew-switch-machine-uncoupler

I have no idea what import duties might be incurred or how shipping costs compare. You can place a trial order to find out.

Dave

18

Dave, there’s no duty on model railroad stuff coming into Canada. However, the HST will likely be applied, and, when I’ve ordered stuff from the U.S. and had it sent here, there’s what’s called a “handling fee”. I see no need for a third party to handle anything, but they do, and it can be surprisingly expensive.
F’rinstance, I ordered some brass shapes (angles, channels, etc.) from K&S, in Chicago, about $33.00(U.S.). It was delivered to my door (I forget what the shipping charge was), but the total cost was $99.00.
I then decided that I no longer needed anything delivered to my door from anywhere outside of Canada.

Now, I order whatever I want from the U.S., and have it sent to a friend in Ohio whom I visit several times a year. When I visit, I’m usually there for at least 3 or 4 days, and when I return to Canada, I am allowed to bring in, duty- and tax-free, up to $800.00 worth of goods…not just train stuff, although that’s usually what it is…although I did bring a set of tires with the train stuff a couple of years ago, and just squeaked under the limit. Even with the exchange rate, almost everything was cheaper than I could have bought it here.

I would like to support Canadian businesses, but not if I’m being ripped-off.

And, of course, with the border currently closed and unlikely, perhaps, to re-open this year, there’s a pretty good pile of stuff waiting for me.

I do miss my friend, too.

Wayne

19

Hi Wayne,

I was actually referring to items being shipped from Canada to the USA, in this case to Kevin in Florida. I’m guessing that, if Rapido is listing their products in USD on the Canadian website, it can’t be too expensive to ship them to the US. Perhaps it would be best if Kevin was to contact Rapido directly to see what they advise.

Cheers!!

Dave

20

Got a package from Rapido today! I opened it up to find a dozen RailCrew switch machines. Unfortunately, I ordered uncouplers. The invoice even said uncouplers. [|(][banghead]

Oh well, stuff happens. Maybe they will let me keep the switch machines!![swg]

Dave