Kadee magnetic uncoupler works great

[Lastspikemike]

I remember back in the 1960’s my Dad and a Lionel “O” gauge 4’ x 8’ layout in the basememt / cellar. It had a magnetic uncoupler track. If I can remember it had a red round piece of metal (size of a quarter) in the middle of the track with a round metal center piece (about 1/4" dia.) in the red piece. It was wired through a button switch to the transformer. I worked great. I don’t ever remember it missing a coupler or how it worked.

That would be an electromagnet version.

[jjdamnit]

Hello All,

That would be an electromagnet version.

Welcome to model railroading. So happy for you, think of what you have been missing. I discovered that in 1968…

When I began this great hobby in 1972 “Hook & Horn” FX2 couplers were the standard. Yes, Kadees were available but not the norm.

The FX2 were made of plastic- -no metal components.

Hence a magnetic field, no matter how generated, could not uncouple them.

There were uncoupling ramps to allow remote uncoupling.

Some of these ramps were electronically actuated.

The actual uncoupling action was physical, not electronic.

I remember back in the 1960’s my Dad and a Lionel “O” gauge 4’ x 8’ layout in the basememt / cellar.
It had a magnetic uncoupler track. If I can remember it had a red round piece of metal (size of a quarter) in the middle of the track with a round metal center piece (about 1/4" dia.) in the red piece.
It was wired through a button switch to the transformer. I(t) worked great. I don’t ever remember it missing a coupler or how it worked.

Lionel had many “action” cars that were mechanical in operation but electronic in actuation.

Press a button and an electronic pulse actuated a solenoid that physically created the “action”.

Unlike, the magnetic (electronic) action of an electromagnet.

What “willy6” is describing is the Lionel system of an electronically actuated physical movement.

Not, as you erroneously describe as…

…an electromagnet version.

Again, your exuberance of youth has overshadowed knowledge gained through life experiences.

Hope this helps.

[Lastspikemike]

I didn’t say it was magnetic.

It would be electromagnetic of course. It would not be electronic any more than your doorbell was electronic.

It’s merely electrical, like a doorbell solenoid or the buzzer you may have made in shop class. Electronic devices use electron flow to produce electrical results. Electrical devices, including electromagnets, use electron flow to exert mechanical force or switch on a light.

Semantics are not easy but best not to try and outdo me in that field.

[jjdamnit]

Again, your exuberance of youth has overshadowed knowledge gained through life experiences.

[PC101]

I installed and tried a Kadee #309 HO scale under-the-ties delayed action electric uncoupler once. Just apply DC current, no moving parts. Did I mention, just once.

[Lastspikemike]

Try the #322 instead. It’s newer.

[Southgate_2]

Southgate 2
I devised a simple system of mechanically lifting a permanent magnet up under the ties, invisible under ballast.

Re-describe it, ideally with pictures, every time you bring it up. People don’t always search back through threads, and sometimes it takes multiple mentions for an idea to be recognized.

I finally had time to dig it up. This was from before I somehow lost my login abilities under my long standing original forum name “Southgate” (not 2)

Hope the link works:

Mechanically Operated Uncoupling Magnets. - Model Railroader Magazine - Model Railroading, Model Trains, Reviews, Track Plans, and Forums

or try…

cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/269369.aspx

Copy and paste the above, it’ll get you to a search, that will get the post.

Don’t judge it by how cheap it looks, cuz, yes, it does. Devise a more expensive way to lift the magnet if you must. Everyone who sees it in action is amazed.

There are some things I would edit, but I can’t get in! Dan