Some of you might be interested in this issue.
http://dccuncoupling.com/
http://www.dccuncoupling.com/review.pdf
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Oh man, that looks pretty good. I might just pick me up a couple of those!
Thanks for the info!!
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Do a search for dcc loco uncoupling.
Below is a link for DCC uncoupling with the Kadee #5. Actually an old article.
http://rr-cirkits.com/uncoupler.html
Yes, it was 5 or 6 years ago at the Timonium train show that I sat down with Dick Bronson from RR-Cirkits and he showed me his singla stuff and happened ot have a loco with his uncoupling system in it as part of the demo. Very neat.
Practical - probably not. There aren't enough DCC addresses for all the rollign stock you might have (often 5 or 6 digit numbers - and sometimes the same number repeats but a different road name - then what?), plus at $60-$80 per car - it's a little hard equipping a 100+ car fleet. And if only some cars have the uncouplers, then you artificially restrict operation and/or force specific train consists.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Ver-ry interesting - but not exactly current news (2007 date on the product review.)
At a price per car more than the average original price of my locomotives, and unsuitable for installation in my physically much smaller rolling stock, this is a, "Nice, but no thank you," for me. And, while there may be some modelers somewhere who are providing the maker with enough business to keep the enterprise afloat, I don't see this becoming the kind of success that Kadee couplers or (in their day) Athearn blue box kits enjoyed.
Still, it is an interesting concept.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with MKD couplers)
Hi Gents,
dccuncoupling is an excellent product. Well conceived and robust. I have two cabeese and 3 boxcars. I use these cars as idler cars to permit switching. Just assign the dcc engine address to the boxcar. The boxcar does not need to have its own individual address. Use F3 & F4 to select which end of the car you want to activate to uncouple. Everyone who I have introduced these cars to has been impressed.
Not only do they look pretty, but I saw them work at the Milwaukkee Train show, I was impressed. However having a few freight cars filled with electronics as you can see in the picture provided by Rich, and remembering their numbers when you want to uncouple from a distance is another story. Also I don't know the pricing.
Richard
I was checking out there simulations examples. They only used 2 dccuncoupling cars. They showed how to use them with mainline/siding set outs, yard sorting, etc.
I don't think you want 50 of these cars, I think 2 will be enough to be useful.
I'm gonna order 2 cars, and I'll report back with a review.
all very nice and also expensive, but the expense is expected considering the components used. would 'memory wire' be a cheaper viable alternative?? also, what about a miniature electromagnet like the type used on control surfaces of micro indoor RC aircraft?? an extension to the rear of the coupler with a steel plate affixed could be pulled toward a small electromagnet to pivot the coupler apart. like a fixed magnet under theb track. it would only move one buckeye though? but only one moves on the expensive kit.
edit; now i clicked the link i see memory ( muscle to you guys ) wire has already been done. DOH
Craig North Carolina
AikidomasterThese look great!! But, this seems a little bit expensive. Maybe I read the ad incorrectly, but the price per unit (car) was about $59.00. Was I wrong? If so, what is the correct price? Or how many units does one get for this price?
Do some research. Do the math.
Dude, this is evolving. Technology changes as time goes on.
These are really neat and the cool factor is off the hook but with over 500 pieces of rolling stock, Honey I'm taking out a second mortgage on the house so I can have my entire fleet of rolling stock dcc with coupling and uncoupling capability, Hey what are you doing wit the frying pan, no wait pick up the frying pan and put down the gun.......lol you get the idea. Maybe some day Santa will bring me one, but until then I'll just hope they go the way of the pocket calculator and come WAY!!!!!!!!! down in price
Theoretically you only need to equip HALF your rolling stock, as long as you rememebr to block cars so that every other car is a DCC uncoupling car.
Of course the first time you make a setout and it's the DCC car, you're hosed, Or pick up a car and it's a non-DCC car.
I restate my position: it's a neat concept but highy impractical.