Here is a recent thread about skewers vs magnets.
I am having my doubts about using any kind of locking coupler between passenger cars. I expect I will be doing the uncoupling via 5-finger, and I want a straight vertical lift.
In fact, I am (for now) thinking of using the type E on everything (maybe that explains the “E”).
Ed
Right now, I have only two magnets on my trackage. They are both on the mainline. To obviate accidental uncoupling, they are electromagnetic. This, of course, applies to the Kadees, which, for now, is most of the fleet.
Ed
The special tool does work, but the standard length E’s on the walthers heavyweights combined the diaphragms cause uncoupling to be difficult (diaphragms prevent slack, or rather push the slack back in. I was only able to reliably uncouple on corners.
I’ve purchased a pack of the tailor-made E type couplers for the walthers heavyweights, and will report results on Walthers, Branchline and Atlas.
Being a former brakeman that bothers me to but,with today’s fragile and highly detailed car ends I fully believe that is the lessor of the two evils.
Other things that bugs me is you need to shove the cars apart and there’s that big stick from the sky…How prototypical is that?
YMMV.
There’s a hump yard in Provo on the UP that uses the big stick from the sky (acronym: BS-FTS) as cars go over the hump.
But I don’t recall it ever being used in local switching. Maybe they could hang it under a drone???
Ed