Was thinking of using magnets of the drill a hole and add supe magnet type setup since the track is in and the ballast too and I find I enjoy working without the big hand in the sky for uncoupling. Developed a great pick with light for uncoupling but there are times that a finiky coupler just dose not uncouple properly (some I suspect is my own cordination with slack and pick).
I used some of the supermagnet cylinders, trying 3 pair per uncoupling zone. Easy to install (harder to remove if the hole is tight). I included some in the main line and removed them as train slack would too often cause unwanted uncompling.
I replaced two of the mainline zones with Kadee momentary coil uncouplers. A significant (but satisfying) project, but I had not yet ballasted so not so bad. Those work great if willing to take on the project.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
peahrensI used some of the supermagnet cylinders, trying 3 pair per uncoupling zone
I tired that, 4 pairs. How did you orient the polarity?
I theorized that magnetism is magnetism and oriented both sides the same and they didn't work all that well.
I use foam so I could hammer them deeper. Removing them seems impossible with collateral damage.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
After years of only using magnets for uncoupling, I discovered I really liked bamboo skewers better. They are generally more reliable than "finicky" magnets and let me uncouple anywhere, even on the main, without unwanted uncoupling wen I don't plan to.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
BigDaddyI theorized that magnetism is magnetism and oriented both sides the same and they didn't work all that well.
Gotta alternate them. Everything on the right side is the same, everything on the left is the same. My rudimentary understanding is that having both magnets oriented the same way makes it a neutral field where the trip pin falls, so it doesn't react. When you have opposing poles on either side, a field forms between the two magnets that the trip pin reacts to.
NittanyLion BigDaddy I theorized that magnetism is magnetism and oriented both sides the same and they didn't work all that well. Gotta alternate them. Everything on the right side is the same, everything on the left is the same. My rudimentary understanding is that having both magnets oriented the same way makes it a neutral field where the trip pin falls, so it doesn't react. When you have opposing poles on either side, a field forms between the two magnets that the trip pin reacts to.
BigDaddy I theorized that magnetism is magnetism and oriented both sides the same and they didn't work all that well.
Rapido makes a magnetic uncoupler that can be installed from below finished track.
When installing the super magnets drill a snug hole all the way through the track support. Then they can be removed or adjusted by pushing them through instead of pulling them up.
Mark Vinski
The Rapido uncoupler works very well... the only time I need to uncouple manually on my pike is when I remove a car from the layout. Otherwhise, I can do everything remotely. I use the Rapido on the mainline, and the regular magnets in my yards. I installed the Bachmann uncoupler magnet, which is pretty much the equivalent to the Kadee underneath magnet.
Simon