I was considering the use of the Kadee scale couplers on newer additions of cars and locos to my fleet until I saw something on another forum.
Reportedly the 58’s are difficult to uncouple with manual uncouplers like skewers and commercially made items that pry apart the couplers.
Is this true?
Thanks in advance
I can’t say yes or no as I don’t use skewers but rather under track uncoupling magnets or the Rix Products uncoupling tool. A pair of magnets on a handle that you simply put over the two couples and move sort of twist it and they uncouple, really slick little tool.
As far as using #58 I started to switched to them as I read they were more prototypical as they couple the cars closer together then #5’s. So far I am happy with them and have no complaints. I typically run nothing large then a 50’ freight car mainly 40’ as it’s more to the era I model.
You got me curious so I just went down and checked. I was able to easily uncouple cars when both are equipped with #58 couplers. I used a craft stick cut at about a 20 degree angle on the end. I tried on several different pairs of cars and it worked well. The key, as always, when manually uncoupling knuckle style couplers is to make sure there is a little slack between the two cars.
Just my (very limited) experience. Your mileage may vary.
Tom
I’ve never had any problems using a stick or the Rix Products uncoupling tool with the #58’s.
The ones that are nearly impossible to uncouple with a skewer are the shelf couplers, not the 58s.