Uncoupler

[25Ragnar]

HI everyone

Is there a way to uncouple anywhere on the track, without any magnet or fixed system.

Thank you very much.

[BigDaddy]

to the forum.  Your first handful of posts are moderated so expect a delay.

Kadee makes a pic to replace the springs on their couplers and the other end can be used as an uncoupler

Everyone else uses bamboo skewers, bought at your local food store.  You should be able to find a youtube video showing them in action. 

[CGW121]

I am assuming ho scale and Kadee couplers. I use a bamboo skewer to uncouple.

                          Mike

[tin can]

Rix makes an uncoupling tool, some assembly (gluing a couple of magnets in place) that works well.  In a pinch, I have also used a small flat-bladed screwdriver to open knuckles.

 

[darrel480]

Go to the local dollar store or a grocery store and get some small/medium wood skewers and place them around your layout.  They work great!

[RR_Mel]

I’m assuming you are wanting to remote uncouple anywhere on your layout.  It can be accomplished but it will be pricy.  It will require a DCC decoder in every car or locomotive that remote uncouple.

 

I have a few locomotives set up for remote uncoupling via DCC decoders in my passenger locomotives and baggage cars.

 

  https://www.ebay.com/itm/Remote-Uncoupler-for-Kadee-Conversion-Kit-for-DCC-control-HO-scale-6pcs/252323121937?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160727114228%26meid%3D2bf9847db6754f969fb204766409daab%26pid%3D100290%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D252323121937%26itm%3D252323121937%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2060778&_trksid=p2060778.c100290.m3507

 

I found they uncouple more reliably if both couplers are the remote type.

 

I have the Coupler above mounted in a SD-9 and a pair of E7Bs and a pair of SP oil steam tenders to drop complete passenger trains on hidden tracks.

 

 

 

I installed them last July and so far so good, no problem when both couplers are remote.  A single coupler for switching in my SD-9 works but requires a bit of jogging.   

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[OldEngineman]

I like the RIX uncoupling tool. Only costs a few bucks.

[Graham Line]

In HO, if Kadees are mounted correctly -- both centered and both same height -- you can use a sharpened #2 pencil. Assuming you can reach the cars.

[SPSOT fan]

There are a number of uncoupling tools (Rio magnet thing, accuamate switchman) but I have never used them, and likely never will!

Why? Because there a number of other common tools that work perfectly fine!

I’ve used bamboo skewers, but in a pinch even a tooth pick works in a pinch. I also have a small philips screw driver that I like to use.

[BRAKIE]

As another thought with today's $40-60.00 freight cars with their fragile tiny detail parts I would think long and hard before poking anything between the cars in order to uncouple them that's why I use magnets. 

With that said when I had BB and Roundhouse cars a small Jeweler's flat tip screwdriver worked quite well.

[rws1225]

My operating group has been using small or medium size dental brushes that are supposed to help clean between teeth like floss.  The brush fits easily between knuckles and pops them open.

[wvg_ca]

I designed a loco mounted uncoupler, it only costs a dollar each end , ordinary rolling stock needs a decoder, anther ten dollars or so .. did this a few years ago ..