Advice on how the coupler on the tender operates? I cannot see how it opens. Could it be magnetic? Does that imply I need to get cars with magmetic couplers?
Welcome to the group!
We'll need some specifics about your question. Brand, scale of loco, etc. New members to this forum can't reply for a while, so be patient. Once you're in, you'll be able to reply, learn to post pictures and participate in the activities. Hang in there. Dan
Most of the couplers on the market today are magnetic. You are best off with a fleet with modern magnetic couplers.
No, don't replace the rolling stock, just replace the couplers. My fleet was from the 50s and had ancient horn hook couplers, but every one was replaced with Kadee knuckle couplers and they work great now.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Jackphyllis Advice on how the coupler on the tender operates? I cannot see how it opens. Could it be magnetic? Does that imply I need to get cars with magmetic couplers?
I suggest you drop the Newbie in your titles and be more specific in what you are asking.
I assume it is your: Broadway 6801 HO Reading T1 4-8-4 In Service Version Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC #2106
Kadee made the greatest coupler ever. The little curved glad hand that hangs down responds to magnetism. There is a below track electromagnetic uncoupler and there are uncoupler magnets that afix to the ties. Or you can use a pick or sharp wooden skewer to uncouple, which is probably more common.
You don't need any magnetism to couple to another car.
In my youth, the original couplers were called horn-hook or X-2F. they did not remotely look prototypical. They only mate with other X-2F couplers. You will see them at train shows, but not in new rolling stock.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
the term "magnetic coupler" refers to the fact you can use specialize magnets to uncouple the cars/ locos etc.
The couplers hold themselves together mechanically not magnetically
Question is about thr reartender coupler.
I've got a bunch of old cars but their couplers are part of the trucks, they don't seem to be replaceable.
Thx
My guess is that your tender has trucks which include a coupler, like the one shown below...
It's easy to cut-off the coupler, then modify the truck to be either screw-mounted or simply used with the plug-in tabs that it came with....
With the stock coupler removed, you can then replace it with a Kadee coupler, which can be had with a variety of draught-gear boxes.
I usually replace those all-plastic trucks, but in some cases, once the couplers are replaced with body-mounted Kadees, I'll modify the trucks slightly and use the trucks, as I did with a bundle of Tyco gondolas, which I got for less than a buck-a-piece...
While the gondolas were el-cheapos, they cleaned -up rather nicely with some added details, plus a fresh paint and lettering job...
Wayne