Hi folks. I am tentatively returning to a hobby I enjoyed as a teen. Now I understand that Kadee, once an expensive “serious modeler’s” choice over the former X2F ‘horn & hook’ couplers, is the “industry standard” in average modeling circles.
So my question is primarily, do Kadee No.5’s work on traditional Atlas X2F decouplers, or only with “Magnematic” decoupler strips that I recall were usually employed with them? Recently I purchased some second hand rolling stock that included Kadee couplers, though I have no idea what type, model, size, etc., they are. In some cases they fell apart trying to remove the cars from the packaging, so I have some disassembled knuckle couplers, brass spring plates and clips with no clear idea how they are assembled.
My initial idea was to remove all the Kadee parts and replace them with X2F parts, but now I’m having second thoughts, IF I can find the right equipment to decouple them remotely. But that depends on the answers I get here.
Thanks in advance for any useful info that doesn’t include the question, “Why would you want to use X2F couplers anyway?”. Answer: Because I already have a fist-full of standard Atlas decoupler track, so if I can use it either way, I will.
Welcome back to the hobby.
While my view is that there is “Good Practice” formulated by those more knowledgeable than myself, the hobby is too be enjoyed, so if you’re happy with the set up you’re familiar with then, Enjoy!
Here’s a link to Kadee that may help explain things…
https://www.kadee.com/
Cheers, the Bear. 
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Kadees have extensive advantages over X2F in my opinion. We have had threads in both the old and new forums about the best ways to manually uncouple these ‘from above’ (for example, using a slightly sharpened wood skewer gently pressed between the mating knuckle faces) which I consider often more useful than fixed magnetic uncoupling (and which allows removal or redesign of the “air hose like” magnetic pins on the Kadees that can pose a derailment problem in some circumstances.
The MagneMatic setup with fixed magnets is arranged to separate the couplers while over the magnet when the couplers are in ‘buff’ (explained on the site Bear provided). I would much prefer some form of electromagnet at uncoupling points if you want ‘unattended’ uncoupling or ‘action at a distance’ where manual uncoupling would be difficult – the strength of this magnet needs to be carefully regulated so it can get the knuckles open without pushing the ends of the car or extensions on trucks sideways.
In my opinion, you need reasonably carefully-laid track to run trains with Kadees vs. X2F which was designed with ‘toy’-style track quality and operation in mind.
Kadees are the way to go. You should get the Kadee height gauge. It will help determine if the place where the coupler pocket is installed is at a correct height. Kadee makes underset and overset couplers where the coupler head is cast higher or lower on the shaft. it will assist if the car floor is a bit high or low.
