Hey guys, I was wondering how I would hide a delayed uncopler that I would put between the rails. I was thinking of putting a dirt road over it as a grade crossing or put pavement over it in my soon to be intermodal yard. (B.T.W I’m modeling in n scale)
Hope for some answers, thanks. [:D]
If I were to make a grade crossing out of one, I would make it a steel plate crossing. Use thin strips of styrene for the outter plates and paint them to match the uncoupler. That should be reasonably convincing.
thanks for the idea
Once the deed is done, remember to put something like a truck or a telephone pole next to the uncoupler ramp to mark it. When there’s a train on the tracks, it can be hard to see exactly where the magnet is.
You COULD paint it with the same paint they use to paint the B-2 or the F-117 Stealth fighter.
great ideas, thanks
Hey Martin,
Check out www.wondermagnet.com. Look for item NdFeB Disc, 3/8 in. x 1/8 in. 100-999,$0.20 ea. (I think they’re 35 cents in smaller quantities.) Shipping is a bit steep but worth it if you buy a hundred or some other items too.
These install in pairs, one under the ties directly below each rail and do work “wonders”. Install them so that they attract each other. Great uncoupling with kadees and you’ll be hard pressed to see them even before the ballast goes in.
Simply make a hole in the roadbed with a leather punch and apply a drop of adhesive caulk. you can even install after laying track but it requires a bit of skill with an exacto knife to cut out the roadbed.
Be careful, these magnets are very strong and will jump ont o each other and metal tools in close proximity. (Thus the adhesive).
Karl
Instead of using styrene strips, why not print a steel plate crossing with an inkjet printer? The paper is thinner than styrene, and would 1) be stronger attracting the uncoupling “hoses” and 2) provide more clearance. I wonder if you copied and pasted pictures of different style crossing plates, how would THEY look when printed… Hmmm, gonna have to try that one… Will keep you posted.