Newbie operations

[Anonymous]

While having been into HO railroading a few years back, I am a “newbie” to GR and in the process of laying 200+ feet of track. My local sources of information are minimal. I want to “operate” my railroad and not just look at the trains going around and around. What can I do with setting cars on a siding and reshuffling them around with a switcher. Is remote coupling and uncoupling available?? Latch and loop couplers don’t lend themselves to that kind of operation. Anyone willing??
Bill

[Ray Dunakin]

I'm new to this too, and haven't even gotten my layout running yet. But in reading the magazine and the forum, I've learned there are many people who operate their garden railroads like the real thing.

There are various brands of knuckle couplers available, including Kadee. I think one of the back issue of GR had a good article comparing the different brands.

I believe there are also options available for remote coupling/uncoupling, but I haven't researched that yet.

[grandpopswalt]

As far as I know only Kadee has the practical ability to uncouple hands-off thus allowing realistic operation. As you probably know, Kadee uses strong magnets between the rails to cause the couplers to open.

Walt

[Greg Elmassian]

To be fair, LGB has an electric uncoupler, costs about $50, not sure it is suited for outdoor use.

Also, LGB makes a loco with remote control couplers, using the MTS system, if I remember correctly.

The only practical remote uncoupling outdoors for all cars is Kadee. The delayed uncoupling feature is unmatched by any other manufacturer.

Regards, Greg

[ttrigg]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Greg Elmassian

To be fair, LGB has an electric uncoupler, costs about $50, not sure it is suited for outdoor use.
Regards, Greg

Not sure if they are suited for outdoors??????? Oh me, Oh my, You mean to say that I should not have put mine outside, do you think the daily 3 minute sprinkling of water will hurt them?

The little gray poles to the left of the cars.



As you can plainly see, mine are outside, they get wet when it rains, mostly from the sprinkler system that put 3 minutes of water on my plants seven days a week. They have been out there getting wet for over two years now and not a problem yet.

Hook and loop does not lend itself to pushing "uncoupled" cars to a destination. These LGB Uncouplers also work my Bachman knuckle couplers very well. LGB also has another type that just snaps onto the track for continuous uncoupling for around $5~$7. I have some of them too, and eventually ( when the tracks get out to Green Apple Orchard) I will be putting in a hump yard with one of them installed permanently

[Anonymous]

Bachmann knuckle couplers and accucraft are probably better for operations being that you can make working cut levers which would be more prototypical. Kadee users can benifit from a long narrow straight slot screw driver for uncoupling.

[Anonymous]

Thank you ONE and ALL. Now we can get going.

Bill