Question about Kadee couplers

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’ve seen several pieces of rolling stock that have Kadee #5 couplers on them, but the hanging pin (air hose?) seems to have been cut off or removed. How well will the couplers work with this removed? Do you need stronger uncoupling magnets? TIA. Al

2

I cut off all of my “trip pins”. To me it looks more realistic. Also I don’t use a magnet. I do my uncoupling by hand, well a thin/pointed stick.

3

The obvious solution is to replace the couplers or use the pointed stick as already suggested.

Rich

4

To remove or not to remove, that is the question. I have chosen to leave them on but I have a few experimental ones I did remove still in service and I will admit they look better. However, I have some switching yards that are not easy to stretch out over and reach couplers with a swizel stick or whatever, so I still prefer to leave the magnets in place and the glad hands hanging. You get used to them in the scheme of things and when the consideration is operational vs looks, I will take operational.

Bob

5

I leave them on and just make sure the are bend up enough as to never interfere with track or turnouts etc. They look vaguely like hoses between cars anyway and I’m not bothered by the slightly unrealistic look. I figure the benefits of being able to use them for uncoupling function outweighs the “look”.

I may change my mind but for the past 20 years I’ve been ok with leaving the trip pins on.

6

The simple answer is that the trip pins are required for magnetic uncoupling. If they’re missing, stronger magnets will not help. Properly adjusted, they will not interfere with track or turnouts. So, the only reason to remove them is to get a more prototypical look.

Once again, it’s your railroad, and you can do what you want with it.

7

I leave mine on as well because I have magnets in certain areas on the layout.

8

I have no magnets - I use skewers, a whole pack is about $1. But I haven’t taken the plunge and cut off the ‘hoses’ yet.

Skewers are easy - file a flat on the pointy end, stick it between two coupler knuckles and twist slightly to uncouple.

–Randy

9

I do what Randy does and just leave them on. I use the skewers but may also use magnets. The functionality outweighs the overall look of them.