Hey Guys- I'm modeling passenger operations on my layout using Walther's Milwaukee Road Everett St Station and Train Shed. Its became apparent this week when I rolled a couple of consists of streamliner cars into place under the shed that I cannot uncouple individual cars so that the switch engine can move them to the coach yard for service. The close quarters of the shed roof combined with the diaphragms between the cars prevents any kind of access to the couplers. The track is already glued in place so I'd rather not have to tear it up to install uncouplers. Any suggestions?
I have some Kadee 322 magnets that I just lay between the rails for uncoupling when needed. They don’t need to be glued down to work. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
You might consider a fixed magnet running in a trough between the rails under the ties, moved forward and backward by some arrangement that lets it be put under the particular pair of cars that needs 'attention' (even a couple of strings and pulleys would probably work). Slide it down to a pocket at the end if you don't want anything elsewhere uncoupled.
A permanent magnet on some sort of lever arm that could raise it up right under the ties might work. Mark the spot with something like a baggage cart on the platform so you know where to position the cars for uncoupling.
A standard permanent magnet between the rails would lead to unintentional uncoupling. An electromagnet would work, but that's probably overkill and would take some dismantling of the existing platforms to install it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
What kind of uncoupler are you using? Can you post a picture?
What kind of cars? Do other cars uncouple normally? Do the diaphragms interfere?
Simon
There is a product available in Europe that allows kadee couplersto uncouple remotely. It can be activated by a cv using dcc. A small monofilament attachment to the outside of the coupler with superglue is pulled by a solenoid device. Saw it on James Trains website. Doesn't appear to be a difficult install.
Jeff1952 Hey Guys- I'm modeling passenger operations on my layout using Walther's Milwaukee Road Everett St Station and Train Shed. Its became apparent this week when I rolled a couple of consists of streamliner cars into place under the shed that I cannot uncouple individual cars so that the switch engine can move them to the coach yard for service. The close quarters of the shed roof combined with the diaphragms between the cars prevents any kind of access to the couplers.
Hey Guys- I'm modeling passenger operations on my layout using Walther's Milwaukee Road Everett St Station and Train Shed. Its became apparent this week when I rolled a couple of consists of streamliner cars into place under the shed that I cannot uncouple individual cars so that the switch engine can move them to the coach yard for service. The close quarters of the shed roof combined with the diaphragms between the cars prevents any kind of access to the couplers.
Here is what I do with my passenger car consists. After the train pulls headlong into the station and passengers disembark, I back the train out of the station just enough so that the lead passenger car is no longer under the train shed. Then, I simply lift up the front of that lead passenger car to uncouple it from the locomotive, and the switcher pulls the entire passenger car consist to the coach yard for servicing.
I do like Mel's suggestion regarding the use of Kadee #322 magnets between the rails. I was unaware of them until Mel mentioned them. My only concern with that approach is unintended uncouplings.
I used to use Kadee #308 Under-the-Track magnets in my yards, but every car passing over the magnets wanted to uncouple, so I pulled out the magnets.
It may work better with Kadee #322 magnets in the train shed since the tracks are stub ended, and the magnets can be precisely placed at the spot where the locomotive ends and the passenger car consist begins.
Rich
Alton Junction
If the track is not the actual mainline, then unintended uncoupling is not too much of a burden. Using the 5 finger crane is always an option, but not fun...
I've tried most options, including the underneath magnet, the above the rail magnet, and the underneath electromagnetic options (Kadee and Rapido). The Rapido uncoupler is by far the most effective and enjoyable option, especially for mainline uncoupling operations.
I have only two on-layout locations where uncoupling of cars with diaphragms is needed, and both are at freight houses where express/baggage cars are loaded/unloaded. The location of the magnet is indicated by the yellow post...
If I need to uncouple such cars for either removal from the layout or re-arrangement within a train, I use Kadee in-track uncoupling magnets, installed in all tracks in my staging yards, and also denoted by the yellow posts...
For turning cars and locos, there are two turntables and a wye (and, when necessary, the five-finger big hook).
Wayne
Thanks for the help and suggestions guys. I was also unaware of the Kadee 322 magnets and try those first. Many thanks!