Magnetic uncouplers

[hbgatsf]

I have a number of Kadee under the track uncouplers.  Until the track is ballasted there is no missing where they are located.

That changes after ballasting.  What tips do you have to mark the location of those uncouplers?  I need ideas for yard, industrial plant and single siding locations.

Thanks

Rick

[dennis461]

My layout has a couple of DC blocks. I marked the gaps in the rail with 50 gallon drums and a spare car tires.

My hidden uncoupler is marked by two short ties turned sideways in the ballast.

 

 

[richhotrain]

JL Innovative Designs makes all kinds of yard signs. I would just pick out something like a "Switching Limit" sign and place it next to the spot on the yard track or siding where the magnet is located. I did that in my large yard on my old layout - one sign for each yard track.

Rich

[hornblower]

Bachmann includes a railroad employee figure holding a lantern to place next to their under-track uncoupler magnets.  

[doctorwayne]

hbgatsf

I have a number of Kadee under the track uncouplers. Until the track is ballasted there is no missing where they are located. That changes after ballasting. What tips do you have to mark the location of those uncouplers? I need ideas for yard, industrial plant and single siding locations.

I often use the Rix uncoupling tool where the reach isn't too long, but for Kadee in-track and under-track uncoupling magnets, I use a simple signpost made from Evergreen  .100" styrene rod, painted yellow with a black stripe...

In the layout's several staging yards, I use the same posts, but if two adjacent tracks have in-track magnets at the same point, the post gets a double stripe...

This one is for an under-track magnet, which would otherwise be a long reach for the Rix uncoupler, due to the height and depth of the layout here...

This one is my latest installation, using two very small rare earth magnets, glued into shallow holes in the plywood, then covered with track and ballast...

The structure is temporarily covered in Saran wrap, as I need to add some static grass and some chainlink fence.

The small magnets work well, and a package of 10 is only a couple of bucks...much cheaper than the large Kadee magnet.  I intend to install another dozen-or-so in various locations on my layout.

Wayne

[MisterBeasley]

I parked a pickup truck next to the tracks where an uncoupler was.

[hon30critter]

I am going to use Rapido's Rail Crew uncouplers. They feature a blue LED that shines up through the ties to show the exact point where uncoupling will take place. When you turn the uncoupler off the light goes out and the hole for the light is barely noticable.

Dave

[Greg@mnrr]

I use the flowering shrubs marketed by Walthers to mark my under-track uncouplers. It's hard to miss the briight yellow or red flowers. -Greg

[kasskaboose]

You also can paint the track with artist paint such as umber or sienna.