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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by jecorbett I'm guessing you are really asking about uncoupling since coupling usually is not an issue. Magnetic uncouplers work well but unfortunately, sometimes they work too well. They uncouple a car when you don't want it too, like when a long train is passing over the uncoupler and hesitates ever so slightly, creating just enough slack to uncouple the car. Theoretically this shouldn't happen but unless your couplers are set exactly right, they will either uncouple when you don't want or won't uncouple when you do. Kadee's under-the-track uncoupler uses an intensifier plate, a sheet of metal under the magnet. If you leave it on, the uncoupler is too strong resulting in unwanted uncoupling. If you leave it off, the uncoupler is too weak and won't get the job done. Kadee announced several months ago that they were coming out with an under the track uncoupler that will operate electroncially. I haven't seen it yet. I have decided not to use the old style uncouplers on mainline tracks. I use the uncouplers in yards and industrial spurs only. For mainline uncoupling, I got a Kadee uncoupling wand. It is just a plastic stick with a pointed end. You slip it between the couplers and give it a little twist and the cars uncouple. It took me a while to get the hang of it and uncouple without derailing the cars, but now I've got it down so it is pretty reliable. I've heard of people using bamboo skewers the same way. Rix also makes a hand held. It looks like a tuning fork with magnets on either side. You put it between the cars with the magnets surrounding the couplers and it works just like the uncoupling ramps. [/quote]
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