How do you uncouple cars?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hey Guys,

I am back with another question. LOL!

I am kinda confused as to how you uncouple cars at sidings and such. I know Atlas (sorry-very fond of Atlas) makes a dead-end uncoupler, and that could be used at sidings and industry spurs-since it is only a one-way uncoupler, but what about modern hump yards and switching yards? I didn’t think manual uncoupling was a good idea. LOL!

-Wolv33

2

It depends on the couplers you are using, most manufacturers will have available uncoupler magnets and such that match their couplers. For Kadee and its compatiable clones, most people are using magnetic uncouplers. For the plastic variants of the kadee (like Magic-mate couplers) I’m not sure exactly how you would uncouple them remotely.

3

Hi Justin, Sounds like your cars are equipted with horn hook couplers like come with the cars.
To be honest they just don’t uncouple realibly even using the ramps and derail most often than not when you attempt to uncouple them. You might want to consider converting to a magnetic coupler such as Kadee. Hope this helps…Vic

4

Guess I am still puzzled. Assuming I have Kadee knuckle couplers, and I am using a magnetic uncoupler-what is to stop the car from being uncoupled again after going back to the spur or siding to pick it up? Wouldnt the car come uncoupled again when it passes over the magnet?

And how would these work in hump and switching yards? Thanks again.

-Wolv33

5

Wolv - Kadee has a pretty good description - go to

http://www.kadee.com/int/c1.htm

Bill K

6

Thanks so much, Bill…

-Wolv33

7

Wolv33, You could also Make your self a simple ucoupler device by using a round toothpick Cut in half (now you have two short toothpicks) and glueing the end of it into a short piece of dowel rod (4 - 5 inches long) and by sticking the pointed end down in between the the cars and into the jaws of the couplers, give it a little twist between your fingers, and the Kadee couplers will uncouple anywere on your layout that you wish as long as you can reach it. I think you’ll lick it and the price is right…Jamie

8

Thanks, Jamie.

I went to the Kadee page and read about an electric uncoupler that they sell. I think I am going to get a few of those. If I ever need manual uncoupling, I will refer to your idea. Thanks again.

-Wolv33

9

Hi Wolv, The Kadee magnets either between the rails or under the rails are a whole lot cheaper than the electric version, easier to install and work a whole lot better. The magnet is not placed where you want to spot the car. It is placed ahead of where you want to spot the car. The car is then uncoupled and pushed to where you want it spotted. It doesn’t re-couple until you pull away from it and then come back into it again…Vic

10

Hi Vic,

I appreciate your input. I looked at the Kadee design and their page that had the diagram of the delayed magnetic coupler. I probably will buy some of those too, but I like control, and the electric uncoupler seems to give me just that. Thanks again.

-Wolv33