I have decided to try and make my own couplings based on the old Hornby O gauge clockwork system and the following pictures (this link takes you to Shutterfly's Share feature) show the Mk 1 from the side, oblique, plan and as about to join so you can see the general principle.
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AcsnLVizaMWLj4
Frankly I am less than happy with the traditional couplings, it takes too much force to get them to join up, too much power to activate the accessory track electromagnet and last but not least who needs to be tied down to this lumsy system?
The Triang-Hornby OO 'tension lock' couplings, admittedly ugly, work very well indeed. They are activated by a light spring loaded ramp that snaps between the tracks and is small and very cheap, so you can have them wherever you think you might need to uncouple. Which is how it should be. They will only uncouple when a train is pushed slowly across the ramp.
These couplings were a variant on the Hornby O gauge system, which also uncoupled easily though it used a mechanically activated ramp. I have found that by making the hanging link the right angle, it can be lifted with a hairspring which doesnt have the strength to lift the loops if they are under tension, there's no need for anything more than the hook and slot as shown though I can and will make better versions with smaller hooks.
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