greetings all. i have been installing kadee # 321 uncoupling magnets on my railroad and have come up with an issue around atlas engines. it appears that these engines want to hang up on top of the magnets. anyone out there have a solution to this problem?
Not quite sure what you mean by “hang up” on top of the magnets. Do you mean the underframe of the locomotive is catching it? The coupler trip pin? Did you set the uncoupler height with the Uncoupler Gluing Jig #334? Are your couplers set to the right height and trip pin clearance using the coupler gauge #205?
Your magnets are too high. You must be using code 83, the magnet thickness is set for code 100. Even w/ 100 the ties may need to be sanded/ thinned.
When using the Kadee height gauge. notice the small button on top. This sliding pin is used to check the magnet height. If the mag is right the pin is flu***o the top.
Bob K.
I’ve got code 100 Atlas flex-track, and I have the same problem with my P2K S1 “bottoming out” on the uncoupler ramps. I had to remove them and grind down the ties a bit, and then remount the ramps. The underside of the trucks would actually hang up on the ramps, effectively running aground and keeping the wheels suspended above the rails. Once I cut the ties down, the problem went away and the uncoupling action still works perfectly.
By the way, it’s a whole lot easier to grind the ties down on your workbench than it is on your layout.
I found it easiest to cut the center of the ties with a Dremel and a cutoff disk. Then remove the ties and ballast. I then use card stock or styrene sheet to shim up the magnet to the right height. I install the magnets about .010" below the tops of the rails. I then put a figure next to the track, centered on the magnet, making it easier to find the magnet. I took some digital pictures of various kinds of railroad crossings or ties and print them with my inkjet printer. I then cut and glue this to the top of the magnet. You have to experiment with your printer to get the scaling right.
I know Kadee isn’t going to like this but, myself and a lot of people I know mount the ramp flush with the top of the rail. Works fine for me. Also easier to clean the track. Stewart engines do the same thing. The gear box cover just clears the rail head.
Bachman Spectrum 44-tonners are even worse. I ended up not using this engine because it kept hanging up on uncoupling ramps and grade crossings.
thanks for all of your replys. its comforting to know that i am not alone with this issue. thanks once again.
Not setting the magnet at the proper height can affect normal uncoupling and is sure to hurt the action of the coupler for any delay action.
Bob K.
I have a Bachman 0-6-0 and the between the rails magnet is so strong that the engine spins its wheels and cannot get past the magnet. it’s not because the magnet is too high, there must be a steel plate on the bottom of the 0-6-0 that get attracted to the magnet…
I’ve installed the below the track magnets on a hinge to stop this happening elswhere.
It’s a big job cutting the right size hole and covering it with card so the ballast look right, but it works better.
The Kadee ramp height goes back to the days of the non delay couplers and the narrow magnet. Some of us are old enough to remember those days. With 40 years of trouble free operation I will continue to mount my ramp flush with the rail head or slightly below.