K-Line O gauge uncoupler - thoughts about?

[Birds]

I was looking for a couple O gauge uncoupling track sections. I don't need "operating" sections, so K-Line's dedicated uncoupler section caught my eye.

Does anyone know if K-Line's uncoupler works well? Is it a weaker magnet than Lionels?

Thanks,
Birds

[otftch]

I use both interchangeably with no apparent differences. Both wire and install identically.I like the Lionel control button better.
Ed

[Birds]

Ed,

Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts regarding the two!

Birds

[brianel027]

Well from my experience, the K-Line one is weaker. Also the round silver nub that is mounted inside the red insulating plastic piece also sits a little higher than the Lionel version. But my comparison is based on Lionel versus K-Line produced 027 uncoupling tracks made in the early-mid 1990's.

A couple years ago I started putting together some trains for my nephew to have at his house. I bought him a new Lionel operating/uncoupling track and was horrifically disappointed how poorly it uncoupled. So I wonder how well the newer Lionel tracks work?

Again, from my persepective, you'd be best off looking for decent condition used Lionel postwar made uncoupling tracks or uncoupling tracks. It must be the amount of winding in the coil or the wire itself... on my layout I have a bunch UC tracks of differing vintages, and the postwar Lionel made ones unquestionally work the best on the greatest variety of rolling stock from differing manufacturers.

As one more note, it should be said that some cars simply uncouple harder than others. The early K-Line cars with plastic trucks probably are the poorest working, with the postwar Lionel all-metal staple construction truck or the AAR Timken style postwar trucks being the best. The newer metal trucks on the K-Line Train-19 cars uncouple very well, as do the Industrial Rail cars and the MTH Rugged Rails cars. Although the MTH truck seems to me to be the poorest rolling of the group. And some modifications need to be made to the opening/knuckle of the Industrial Rail cars especially if you have "S" designed curves with 027 curves.

I should note there are also fixes to get the earlier K-Line cars to uncouple better. Again, I'm not speaking from a manufacturer preference, but from practical operating experience.