Uncouplimg N Scale cars

[Anonymous]

I am having trouble uncoupling Micro-Trains magnetic couplers on my N Scale layout. The magnets do not seem to do the trick. I have tried all sorts of magnets and still most cars will not uncouple.
Any help out there???

[Anonymous]

Not sure about the micro-trains system, but in HO Kadee offer a height gauge that helps with setting the couplers at the right height and also mounting the magnets properly. If microtrains offer such a thing I'd advise buying one and checking your magnets - I had similar problems with old McHenry under-track magnets in HO before I switched over to Kadee between the rails ones, the problem with the McHenrys was getting them properly centred under the track so that they would pull the coupler tails in the right directions.

[Anonymous]

I've had problems with some couplers being too "stiff" when new, and some working in, along with some Kadee/MT dry lubricant, has fixed most of them for me.

---jps

[Anonymous]

I do all my un-coupling using either a RIX Pic, or using a skewing stick.
The Rix tools have to be thinned down a bit and then coated with graphite.
However, the skewing sticks usually come a bag of 100 for about $2 bucks!
These also need the tips coated with graphite and then cut to the length you want.
Be careful when looking at these at the grocery store because the ones you want have a very sharp point on them. This makes it very easy to stick in between the knuckles and turn to open them. The ones without the sharp point are more difficult to use.
To graphite them I just use a common lead pencil and rub the lead all over the point.
These also work good in H-O scale too.
gtirr