My grandson wants an uncoupler that is compatible with his (my) 1950 - 2023 diesel and rolling stock. I am confused. Which one - RCS, USC, #1029, 6019 UCS? I have a 027 RCS that needs new wires. This unit used to work with the 2023. I also have what appears to be labelled an RCS-2 that has 5 long rails but no center Magnet and also needs new wires. What would you do? Buy? Fix?
If you have 027 track, then the 6019 is the uncoupling track to use.
RCS and UCS remote control tracks are used with '0' gauge track.
If you have '0' gauge track, then the UCS is the uncoupling track to use.
The control boxes can be rewired, but it takes patience and you need to first take a picture of the way the internal pile-up switches are installed and wired.
Depending on what track you have and how handy you are with rewiring the track and control boxes, you can either do it yourself, get someone to do it for you, or buy new.
Larry
Thanks Larry. Re: The 2 uncoupler track that I have that appear to have no center magnet and, instead have 5 full length rails. How do they work? Is the center rail the elctromagnet? and will they work with my rolling stock that can be uncoupled with the 6019. I remember using the 6019 as a kid but don't remember if my father ever added the RCS-2 with 5 rails to the layout. Unfortunatley I cannot test them until I rewire them.
The 5 rails are used with older models, like the 2023, and the electromagnet in the track is used with later ones.
The earlier models have a solenoid around each coupler drawbar. The solenoid pulls a spring-loaded slug inside the drawbar to release the coupler knuckle. The solenoid is powered from one of the extra rails through a small black plastic pickup on the bottom of the truck. The electromagnet in the track, if any, is not involved.
Later models, until the present day, release the knuckle by turning on the track electromagnet to pull down on a steel flap or a steel button underneath the truck or the coupler. The extra rails are not involved.
A track that has both the extra rails and the electromagnet powers both of these when you push the button on the controller, but only the means that is appropriate for your model has any effect.
Bob Nelson
Thanks. If I understand correclty, the 6019 then is newer than the 5 rail units (even though it is 027 height) since it works with my 2023 engine (that does not have a solenoid).
Sounds like, if my 2023 works with the 6019 it will not work with the 5 rail unit.?
The 6019 is newer. It has a center electromagnet and extra rails, so it can uncouple either kind of trains.
I really doubt that your 2023 has no solenoid. The couplers on the squared-off ends of the locomotive units are dummies. But those on the rounded-off ends should be working couplers and should have solenoids wound around their drawbars.
The 2023 locomotive has a coil coupler on the front that is activated through a sliding shoe contacting one of the rails on the 6019, UCS or RCS uncoupling tracks.
The 6019 or UCS uncoupling track is needed to uncouple rolling stock.
The 6019 will uncouple both kinds of couplers. But other uncoupler tracks will also uncouple one kind or the other, or both.
Success. I got new wiring on the 6019 and the magnet works - at least with my steel ruler - very strong. Now to get one of the cars from my grandson for a final test. Thanks for all of your help.
Aside. I had never talked to my 7 year old grandson about switchyards (I never had one and no room on current 4x8 layout, but he brought up the subject on his own and express and interest in being able to switch cars and "put 3 tank cars all together". He only has one. I was delighted at his interest. His mother informed that an uncoupler track was added to his Christmas list - that's the reason for my project and I see a much bigger project in our future (I hope). Merry Christmas.
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